Who are the best £4.0m FPL defenders for 2025/26?
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have to stretch a £100m budget across 15 players, which often forces some interest in £4.0m defenders.
At the time of writing, there are 79 such players available. Many are either unlikely to start or play for a promoted side, so unearthing a gem could prove useful over the coming campaign.
Here are some of the more pickable names.
Maxime Esteve (Burnley)
Finishing second in the Championship, Burnley’s legendary defence kept 30 clean sheets – including 12 in a row. In fact, they never let in more than one per match.
Then again, their expected goals conceded (xGC) overachievement was astonishing and it’s a big step up to the Premier League. Esteve’s centre-back partner, CJ Egan-Riley, has moved elsewhere and goalkeeper James Trafford (£5.0m) seems set to do the same.
But while the Clarets have a nasty-looking first seven fixtures, Gameweek 2 is at home to Sunderland. That could see Esteve used by owners early on. As long as they don’t expect goals – he’s netted just twice in his senior career.
Also at this price is left-back Quilindschy Hartman, having arrived in a £10m move from Feyenoord.
Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds)
The last two seasons have seen all three promoted sides go straight back down, but here we have a couple that ended on 100 points.
Leeds actually had a far lower xGC tally than Burnley’s backline (29.6 v 39.1), adding appeal to their Gameweek 1 hosting of Everton.
New centre-back Jaka Bijol (£4.0m) is suspended for it, meaning FPL managers might instead look toward Swedish arrival Gudmundsson. This Junior Firpo replacement has sometimes been deployed on the left wing, though he accumulated a low four goals and three assists from 137 Lille appearances.
Maybe Jayden Bogle (£4.5m) is the way to go, but he’s more expensive.
Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland)
Way back on 76 points were fourth-placed Sunderland, with a much worse defence. However, at least £4.0m Cirkin was able to contribute three goals and two assists.
The experienced Reinildo (£4.0m) comes in from Atletico Madrid, but Cirkin is expected to begin as first-choice left-back for the Mackems’ appealing fixture run.
Ayden Heaven (Man United)
Elsewhere, those wanting to look away from promoted clubs may be intrigued by Heaven. But he comes with several problems.
Not only do Man United have a tough set of opening fixtures, the inexperienced 18-year-old has lots of competition for places. Lacking any European football, Ruben Amorim can prioritise those others for Premier League action.
On the other hand, this winter arrival from Arsenal started Gameweek 38’s victory over Aston Villa.
Other names
In truth, there are slim pickings for those seeking £4.0m FPL defenders.
There’s uncertainty over Julian Araujo‘s game time at Bournemouth, though he did start on seven occasions.
Aaron Hickey has been plagued with injuries for almost two years at Brentford. Even if fit, Michael Kayode (£4.5m) and Keane Lewis-Potter (£5.0m) are their first-choice full-backs.
Perhaps Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno can find another top-flight club. And while Luka Vuskovic delivered a goal and assist straight after coming on for Spurs at Reading, the club has a lot of other centre-backs. He could be sent out on loan.
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