Best €4m Defenders in UCL Fantasy 2025/26 – Budget Gems to Unlock Your Squad
Finding value at the back is always key in fantasy football, and this season is no different. In our guide to the Best €4m Defenders in UCL Fantasy 2025/26, we highlight the budget-friendly options who can free up funds while still offering points potential through clean sheets, minutes, and the odd attacking return.
Raoul Bellanova
Atalanta were fantastic in last season’ Champions League campaign – racking up 15 points, finishing ninth above the likes of Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayern and PSG, and keeping four consecutive clean sheets in the League Phase.
Under new management but keeping their back three system, the Italian side have one of the best overall schedules when compared to every other side. Likely to benefit from the system and fixtures is wing-back Raoul Bellanova who has started every one of his sides league games.
The 25-year-old ended his previous season by registering three assists during is final seven league matches – a solid display of his attacking potential. Playing in a strong side, a capable defence, with good fixtures and with attacking threat, it could be difficult to ignore Raoul Bellanova.
Dortmund
Dortmund are a team to fear in competitions. The German side may not be the most consistent side domestically, but their Champions League final appearance in 2024, progression to the quarter-finals in 2025 and their recent Club World Cup campaign are excellent examples of how good they can be.
Although facing some tough sides in their League Phase campaign ahead, the German giants also meet with questionable sides like Athletic Club, Copenhagen, Villarreal and Bodo.
Two €4m defenders appear to be starting every match for Dortmund, or at least that is the case thus far. One of them is centre-back Waldemar Anton, who has historically been extremely reliable when it comes to gametime. The other is Yan Couto who could hold more risk. Couto has been playing in a wing-back role for Dortmund – there he registered his first attacking return of the campaign against Union Berlin.
Owning a €4m Dortmund defender is mostly unheard of in UCL Fantasy, so taking advantage of that seems like a wise move.
For top picks, team reveals, predicted line-ups and more, check out our UCL Fantasy 2025/26 Complete Guide!
Alessandro Buongiorno
The Italian sides seem to be offering lots of value this season, so it’s no surprise Napoli feature. The 2024/25 Serie A Champions racked up a whopping 19 clean sheets in the previous league campaign – which is a clear indication that they could hold plenty of defensive potential moving forward.
Another appealing factor we have to highlight with Napoli, is their kind fixture schedule. The Italian side may face Manchester City in the opening round, but they then go onto face Sporting, PSV, Frankfurt, Qarabag, Benfica and Copenhagen. This is arguably one of the most appealing run of fixtures in the entire competition.
For some reason, centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno has been priced at €4m. The Italian struggled for fitness during pre-season, but after featuring and assisting in his sides most recent win over Cagliari, it won’t be long before he takes back his place in the starting XI.
After spending two seasons out of the Champions League due to inconsistency, Dutch giants Ajax are back playing with Europe’ elite.
They will be hoping to recapture the barn-storming performances they displayed in their 2021/22 campaign – one which saw them win all six of their Group stage games and claiming all 18 points.
Football fans likely hold huge question marks over Ajax’ potential, but their schedule could give them enough opportunities to claim success. Whilst outings against Inter and Chelsea will be tough, Ajax also meet with Marseille, Galatasaray, Benfica, Qarabag, Villarreal and Olympiakos.
The cheapest and most reliable option among the defenders could be centre-back Youri Baas. As well as starting all four of his sides Eredivisie fixtures, Baas also scored against Go Ahead Eagles, so he could have more in his locker than just clean sheets and ball recoveries.
More €4 Defenders to Consider
- Jordan Teze – The Monaco full-back featured heavily in pre-season, and has also started all three Ligue 1 games. Monaco have a mixed bag of fixtures, so selecting him in easier periods may hold potential.
- Ivan Fresneda – Champions League regulars Sporting have proven a match for some of the biggest teams in Europe over recent years. A cheap way into their defence is Fresneda who has started all of their early La Portugal fixtures.
- Eren Elmali – Galatasaray are another side who go into any game without fear. That bravery may be needed with a their mixed fixture schedule. Those interested could back the attacking Elmali who has netted three times in just four Turkish League matches this season. Elmali has been utilised in both full-back and a more advanced role this season.
