With the new Bundesliga season just around the corner, we are ready to give you a helping hand with your Fantasy Bundesliga team.In the second article of our series highlighting top picks by position,...
With the new Bundesliga season just around the corner, we are ready to give you a helping hand with your Fantasy Bundesliga team.
In the second article of our series highlighting top picks by position, we take a closer look at the defenders you should have on your radar when building your squad.
Budget options:
Luca Jaquez, Stuttgart – 2.3m
Jaquez has been given plenty of minutes in preseason and was most recently selected alongside Jeff Chabot in Stuttgart’s final friendly against Bologna. After the match, coach Sebastian Hoeness revealed that Jaquez currently holds a slight edge over Fin Jeltsch in the pecking order. If that remains the case, the 22-year-old Swiss centre-back looks like a bargain and a strong fantasy option to have from the start of the game.
Yan Couto, Dortmund – 5.5m
With Niklas Süle expected to be sidelined for around two months and both Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck currently unavailable, Julian Ryerson will likely shift from right wing-back to central defense to fill the gap. This move opens up the right wing-back spot for Yan Couto, making the attacking-minded Brazilian an intriguing option at 5.5 million.
Christian Günter, Freiburg – 5.7m
At 32, Freiburg’s captain is no longer an automatic starter, with young Jordy Makengo challenging him for the left-back position. However, if Günter can stay ahead of Makengo in the pecking order from the start of the season, he looks like a steal at €5.7 million - especially given Freiburg’s favorable opening fixtures.
Mid-range options:
Kevin Diks, Gladbach – 6.3m
A new signing from FC Copenhagen, Diks is expected to fill the void left by Ko Itakura’s departure to Ajax. The 28-year-old has made a strong impression in preseason and took Gladbach’s most recent penalty, which could indicate that he will be their penalty taker for the upcoming season - at least while Tim Kleindienst is sidelined with injury. The Indonesia international scored plenty of goals at his former club too, finding the net 22 times in 170 games for FC Copenhagen - not bad for a defender. Gladbach begin the season with a favorable home game against Hamburger SV, which only adds to Diks’ appeal.
Here's a video of the penalty Diks scored in a friendly against Valencia:
Daniel Svensson, Dortmund – 8.7m
Svensson was one of the breakthrough stars in the second half of last season, making an immediate impact after his move from Danish side FC Nordsjælland. An attacking full-back with an impressive left foot, the Swede continued to shine at the Club World Cup, where he both scored and assisted a goal. This bodes well for the new season, where he is set to be a nailed-on starter at left wing-back.
Jonathan Tah, FC Bayern – 9.4m
The new leader of Bayern’s defense, Tah’s price of 9.4 million seems surprisingly low compared to the other defenders representing the German champions. Big, strong, and a skilled passer of the ball, Tah is poised to rack up plenty of points through winning duels and distributing the ball effectively.
Premium options:
Anthony Caci, Mainz – 11.3m
Caci was one of Mainz’s standout performers last season, with his strong displays translating well into Fantasy Bundesliga points. The French wing-back recorded eight goal contributions and earned plenty of points through winning duels. His price has increased following his impressive campaign, but if he continues in the same vein, he could prove well worth the investment.
Rasmus Kristensen, Eintracht Frankfurt – 12.1m
The Danish powerhouse grew in importance for Eintracht as the season progressed, finishing strong by scoring in each of his last three Bundesliga games and bringing his total to five goals in the league for the season. An energetic and physical right-back with an attacking mindset, Kristensen should be one of the better defensive picks.
Alejandro Grimaldo, Leverkusen – 18.2m
Unlike many of Bayer Leverkusen’s stars from recent seasons, Grimaldo has remained at the club and looks set to continue as the left wing-back under new coach Erik ten Hag. The Spaniard’s attacking prowess and left foot are undeniable, but whether he can justify his steep price tag is questionable.
Category: General Sports
