Who were the best FPL midfielders and forwards for defensive contribution points?

If the newly-announced defensive contribution points were around in 2024/25, which FPL midfielders and forwards would have benefited?

Last Friday brought huge news that some extra rewards will start being given for reaching a certain level of clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) during each match.

• READ MORE: All the big FPL rule changes for 2025/26

How to get defensive contribution points?

If a defender accumulates 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and successful tackles in a single match, they’ll gain two extra FPL defensive contribution points.

Capped at two per player per fixture, any CBITs beyond these 10 won’t matter.

Meanwhile, midfielders and forwards will also receive rewards for recoveries, making it CBIRT. Rack up 12 of these in a match and two extra player points will arrive. Again, any CBIRTs beyond 12 won’t matter.

Which midfielders could benefit?

PLAYER	CLUB	FPL DC POINTS	DC TOTAL
Moises Caicedo	Chelsea	42	455
Joao Gomes	Wolves	36	377
Idrissa Gueye	Everton	36	418
Elliot Anderson	Nott’m Forest	36	407
Christian Norgaard	Brentford	34	398
Ryan Gravenberch	Liverpool	30	389
Lewis Cook	Bournemouth	30	386
Carlos Baleba	Brighton	30	376
Jefferson Lerma	Crystal Palace	28	327

The average Premier League match would have involved 3.3 players receiving an extra couple of points, which helps emphasise how big this change is.

Defenders dominated such boosts and, as seen above, the midfielders were usually defensive-minded. The only one of these leading nine to reach double figures for attacking returns, Christian Norgaard, will now be competing for game time at Arsenal.

Of the rest, just Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson exceeded five of them.

Which forwards could benefit?

Theoretically, teams that relentlessly press for high turnovers could see attacking assets fare well here.

PLAYER	CLUB	FPL DC POINTS	DC TOTAL
Iliman Ndiaye	Everton	12	265
Matheus Cunha	Wolves	2	200
Cody Gakpo	Liverpool	2	136

But a mere three forwards would have picked up any additional points – Iliman Ndiaye, Matheus Cunha and Cody Gakpo.

Furthermore, it was revealed on Sunday night that they will now be reclassified as FPL midfielders.