Best €4.5m Defenders in UCL Fantasy 2025/26
In this guide to the Best €4.5m Defenders in UCL Fantasy 2025/26, we’ll highlight the standout picks who can offer clean sheets, attacking threat, and consistent returns without eating into your budget for premium players.
Building a balanced squad often comes down to finding value in defence, and there are plenty of budget-friendly options to consider this season, so let’s dive in.
Riccardo Calafiori
No side has a better overall Champions League schedule than Arsenal according to our Fixture Ticker. The English side seem to progressing as a team – finishing second in the Premier League and advancing all of the way to the semi-final last season.
In regards to their defence, only Liverpool kept more clean sheets than Arsenal in their 2024/25 campaign domestically. They also ranked top for multiple underlying defensive metrics. With two clean sheets from their first three games, Arsenal appear to have picked up where they left off.
Whilst Arsenal’ centre-backs come in at €5.5-€6m, full-back Riccardo Calafiori comes in at a jaw-dropping €4.5m. The Italian has also displayed attacking threat recently – producing two assists and a goal during his first three games.
Francesco Acerbi
Inter have been one of the best sides in Europe during the last several years – their two Champions League finals and Serie A win are reflections of that. They have also sustained one of the best defences in Europe too – bagging seven clean sheets and conceding just one goal in the 2024/25 League Phase campaign.
The above is arguably enough alone to invest, but their starting schedule is also extremely appealing. The Italian side clash with Ajax, Slavia Praha, USG and Kairut in their first four games, making them one of the most attractive defences to start with in regards to investment.
Inter have several options at centre-back, but the most experienced is Francesco Acerbi. The 37-year-old has been crucial to Inter’ recent success, and he has also started both of his sides first two matches of the new campaign.
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Josip Stanišić
Bayern have a mixed bag of fixtures in their Champions League campaign ahead. Whilst they come up against the likes of Chelsea, PSG, and Arsenal, they also good opportunities versus Pafos, Club Brugge, Sporting, USG and PSV.
The Bavarians haven’t always been known for their defensive quality, but they have also shown fully capable of keeping clean sheets against some of the best sides in Europe, and it’s that which makes them appealing, if the price is right.
In this case, the price is right. Josip Stanišić has become a important member of an ever-changing Bayern backline. The Croatian lacks offensively, but his ability to play at both left-back and centre-back means his gametime is even more promising long-term.
Federico Gatti
The Italian sides could provide fantastic value for money this season. Another appealing side for defensive investment is Juventus. Last season may have been below many fans expectations, but Juventus still managed a huge 17 clean sheets in Serie A.
That brilliant defensive form has evidently continued into the new season – with two clean sheets in their first two matches. That paired with a nice schedule against Villarreal, Sporting, Bodo, Pafos, Benfica, Monaco and Juventus could transfer their defensive form into Europe.
With great fixtures, backing a Juventus defenders seems like a wise move. One of several great options is Brazilian centre-back Federico Gatti. Gatti can be a significant presence in the oppositions box on set-plays, so he also offers attacking threat.
More Fantastic Options
- Fabian Schar – Newcastle have a fairly good schedule outside of their clashes with Barcelona and PSG. From Matchday 2-7, the English side have plenty of opportunities to keep a clean sheet, and one player who could benefit is set-play threat and centre-back Fabian Schar.
- David Hancko – New signing Hancko appears to be one of few defenders starting every match for Atleti. The Spanish side have got a mixed schedule in terms of difficulty, but they are a hugely experienced outfit in the Champions League.
- Tosin Adarabioyo – Chelsea have proven themselves against the best teams in Europe – dismantling European Champions PSG and keeping a clean sheet during the Club World Cup final. This is a positive sign of things to come, and Adarabioyo is their cheapest and most reliable route into defence.
- Daniel Svensson – Arguably one of the best defences over recent years in the Champions League, Dortmund continue to offer great value for money in UCL Fantasy. This time it’s wing-back Svensson who catches the eye, after finishing his final five matches of the previous domestic league campaign with four assists.
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