What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk has been highlighted for his defensive contributions in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) for the 2025/26 season. Despite Liverpool's dominant possession style, van Dijk has managed to collect four points for defensive contributions. This new metric in FPL rewards players for their defensive actions, adding value to their overall performance. Everton's James Tarkowski, Brentford's Sepp van den Berg, and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi are among the top performers, each earning additional points in the first three gameweeks. The analysis suggests that clubs with lower possession rates, such as Everton and Brentford, are more likely to benefit from defensive contribution points.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of defensive contribution points in FPL is changing how players are valued, particularly defenders. This metric provides an opportunity for players from clubs with less possession to gain recognition for their defensive efforts. It impacts FPL managers' strategies, encouraging them to consider players from clubs like Everton and Brentford, who may not dominate possession but excel in defensive actions. This shift could influence player selection and team composition in FPL, potentially altering the dynamics of the game and how managers approach their strategies.
What's Next?
As the season progresses, FPL managers will likely adjust their strategies to incorporate players who excel in defensive contributions. Clubs with lower possession rates may continue to benefit from this metric, providing opportunities for lesser-known players to gain popularity in FPL. Managers will need to monitor upcoming fixtures and possession statistics to predict which players might earn defensive contribution points, influencing their transfer decisions and team setups.
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