[THREAD]

Why Leeds defenders could be great in FPL next season.

It is often important to find good value in defence and I think Leeds could be the route you go down next season if you’re looking for cheap points at the back.

We can often tell what promoted defences are going to do well in the Premier League from their defensive stats in the championship. Here’s a couple examples:

Sheffield United 18/19 (Championship):

•21 clean sheets
•41 goals conceded

Record in the PL the following season:

•13 clean sheets (joint 4th in the league)
•39 goals conceded (4th best in league)

From this we could tell that Sheffield United had a solid defence and their defensive options could be good assets in the new season.

Wolves 17/18 (Championship):

•24 clean sheets
•39 goals conceded

Record in the PL the following season:

•9 clean sheets (11th in league)
•46 goals conceded (joint 5th in league)

Although Wolves were unlucky with Clean sheets, there Championship defensive record did show how good they could be defensively as they went onto concede the 5th fewest goals in the Premier League.

We can also use this the other way to decide what teams defenders to avoid. For example:

Norwich 18/19 (Championship):

•13 clean sheets
•57 goals conceded

Record in the PL the following season:

•5 clean sheets (20th in league)
•75 goals conceded (20th in league)

Even though Norwich went up as champions, their defensive record told us we should avoid their defensive assets, which turned out to be the right move.

The same applied with Villa:

Aston Villa 18/19 (Championship):

•12 clean sheets
•61 goals conceded

Record in the PL the following season:

•7 clean sheets (17th in the league)
•67 goals conceded (second lowest in the league)

Now you can see the pattern, here’s a look at Leeds’ defensive stats for this season:

•35 goals conceded
•22 clean sheets

Last season they kept more clean sheets and conceded fewer goals than Sheffield United did in the championship in 18/19

They also conceded fewer goals than Wolves but didn’t quite keep as many clean sheets.

This shows just how good they were defensively. Getting Leeds defenders could be perfect to helping you get cheap defenders, clean sheets and to free up more funds for premium assets:

Here’s some of Leeds’ defensive options:

Meslier

Predicted price £4.5m
Position: GK
19/20 stats:
11 appearances
7 clean sheets

Meslier only made 11 appearances last season but looks nailed on after a good run at the end of the season. If Leeds sign another keeper then things could change but right now he looks a good option.

Reason behind Meslier’s predicted price:

1st choice GK’s coming up from the championship are usually priced at £4.5m (Henderson, Krul, Heaton). He could be £4.0m as he’s not as nailed on but I expect him to be £4.5m as there’s a good chance he’ll be their 1st choice.

Luke Ayling

Predicted Price: £4.5m
Main Position: RB
Other positions: CB
19/20 stats:
38 appearances
4 goals
5 assists

Ayling is one of Bielsa’s most trusted players and is Pretty nailed on to start when he’s fit. He also Likes to get forward and got a decent amount of goal involvements last season.

Stuart Dallas

Predicted price: £5.0m
Main position: LB
Other positions: RB, CM, RM
19/20 stats:
46 appearances
5 goals
3 assists

Dallas is a winger who played the majority of last season at left-back after Bielsa converted him. He could potentially be the new Lundstrum if they sign a new LB as he did play in midfield for 17 games last season. Exciting prospect.

Reason behind the prices of Dallas and Ayling:

Over the last few seasons fullbacks coming up from the championship have been priced at £4.5m (Doherty, Lewis, Aarons, Baldock). Stevens is one of the exceptions at £5.0 due to his high attacking returns in the championship...

Neither Dallas or Ayling can match these which is why I think they’ll be around the £4.5m mark. The only reason I’ve pushed Dallas up to £5.0 is because he can play in midfield. I think FPL will list him as a defender but will make his price a bit higher just to be cautious.

Liam Cooper

Predicted price: £4.5m
position: CB
19/20 stats
38 appearances
2 goals

Cooper is Leeds’ captain and a nailed on starter at CB. He also offers an attacking threat from set pieces and could be a good option.

Reason for coopers’ price:

Nailed on CB’s from the championship are usually £4.5m e.g Mings, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Boly. As he’s very likely to start and doesn’t offer a ridiculous attacking threat I think he will be £4.5m

With Ben White looking likely to go back to Brighton, Leeds’ other CB spot is up for grabs. It could potentially be Struijk but there’s a good chance they could sign someone else so I feel it’s pointless covering that position now.

Make sure to keep up to date with Leeds’ transfer business if you’re looking at their players as a transfer could change a lot.

[END OF THREAD]

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