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            <p>Who are the best FPL budget defenders for 2025/26? Expert Fantasy Premier League manager Abdul Rehman (<a href="https://twitter.com/FPL_Salah">FPL Salah</a>) has it covered.</p>
<p>We'll be keeping this list of budget defenders - players priced at £4.5m - regularly updated before the Gameweek 1 deadline, so make sure to bookmark this page.</p>
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<h2><strong>Best FPL £4.5m defenders 2025/26</strong></h2>
<p>The FPL budget defenders position will likely require the most planning.</p>
<p>Value defenders are always the backbone of a well-balanced FPL squad.</p>
<p>This season, there are several £4.5m gems that could provide steady points while freeing up cash for big hitters in midfield and attack.</p>
<p>Also, with the new <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-2025-26-changes-defensive-contributions">defensive contributions</a> added to the game, we will have to dive even deeper to find the best options.</p>
<p>Defenders now receive an extra two points for 10 defensive contributions - blocks, tackles, interceptions and clearances.</p>
<p>Some managers will want to rotate their budget defenders to make the most of the <a href="http://fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker/">optimal fixtures</a> in each gameweek.</p>
<p>Here are our top selections:</p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) - West Ham </span></b></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Wan-Bissaka will be popular due to his performances under Graham Potter last season. He managed two goals and six assists and was West Ham’s best and most nailed defender.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">He is known for his defensive solidity but last season added goals and assists to his arsenal too. He should be a regular starter at right-back and a secure pick for anyone looking at a solid budget option.</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">West Ham’s opening fixtures are mixed but they do have some appealing games in the first 10, with matches against Sunderland (A), Crystal Palace (H), Everton (A), Brentford (H) and Leeds (H). </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Hammers weren't great at the back last season but that didn't stop Wan-Bissaka being a great option.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>The ex-Manchester United player was top for interceptions (66) last season among all defenders.</p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If they manage to improve defensively, then the marauding right-back can be a real bargain at £4.5m.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_73392" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73392" class="size-full wp-image-73392" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/playerstats-Wan-Bissaka-bordered.jpeg" alt="Aaron Wan-Bissaka Stats" width="840" height="690" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-73392" class="wp-caption-text">Aaron Wan-Bissaka's stats</p>
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<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Marc Guehi (£4.5m) - Crystal Palace</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Crystal Palace remain one of the more reliable mid-table defences, having conceded just 51 goals last season - seventh best in the league. </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">At his price, Guehi looks like a solid, nailed starter at centre-back and is a good option for managers who prefer set-and-forget defenders.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">There are ongoing transfer rumours linking him to Liverpool but even if he stays at Palace, he’s a fine option. A move to Liverpool could make him a game-breaker.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Palace have some tough opening games as they play Chelsea (A) and Aston Villa (A) in Gameweek 1 and 3. But they do come against Nottingham Forest (H), Sunderland (H), West Ham (A), Everton (A) and Brentford (H) in the first 10.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If Guehi moves to a top-six club, his value could rise dramatically. For now, he’s a reliable defensive pick with a great price tag and has good rotation with Everton players.</span></p>
<p>He ranks third for clearances (163) among the current batch of £4.5m defenders. This is where centre-backs are likely to pick up the bulk of their defensive contributions, so this bodes well.</p>
<div id="attachment_73393" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73393" class="size-full wp-image-73393" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/playerstats-Guehi-bordered.jpeg" alt="Marc Guéhi Stats" width="840" height="690" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-73393" class="wp-caption-text">Marc Guéhi's stats</p>
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<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) - Aston Villa</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Konsa was one of Villa’s most consistent performers last season, racking up </span>2,936 minutes and 33 starts<span data-contrast="auto"> - more than any other defender in the team. </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">With Villa finishing sixth and narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot, Unai Emery will be keen to keep thing tight at the back this time.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Villa conceded a respectable 51 goals (seventh-best) with an expected goals conceded (xGC) of 50.1. </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Konsa, alongside <strong>Pau Torres (£4.5m)</strong>, offers the best value route into their defence. His nailed spot at centre-back and reliability make him an attractive option.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Villains’ first two games - Newcastle (H) and Brentford (A) are tricky but from </span>Gameweek 3<span data-contrast="auto"> they have a nice little run against Palace (H), Everton (A), Sunderland (A) Fulham (H) and Burnley (H). </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Villa rotate well with Forest for managers looking to play a fixtures-based defensive strategy. They also have a decent three-way rotation with Spurs and Burnley too, who have good starting £4.5m defenders.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_73394" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73394" class="size-full wp-image-73394" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/playerstats-Konsa-bordered.jpeg" alt="Ezri Konsa Stats" width="840" height="690" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-73394" class="wp-caption-text">Ezri Konsa's stats</p>
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<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Micky van de Ven (£4.5m) - Spurs</span></b></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Van de Ven looks a decent option at his price given Spurs' opening fixtures. The Dutch centre-back impressed last season with his pace and ball-playing ability.</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Spurs were one of the worst defences in the league last season but with Thomas Frank at the helm now, they will surely improve.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">They also play Burnley (H), Bournemouth (H), West Ham (A), Wolves (H), Leeds (A) and Everton (A) in their first 10 games, which are good for clean sheet and attacking purposes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>We'll have to see how Frank sets up his defence as pre-season advances but if the Dutchman looks nailed, he could be appealing at this price.</p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto"><strong>Cristian Romero (£5.0m)</strong> offers slightly more goal threat and should be a sure starter but Van de Ven could be the budget-friendly route into the Spurs defence.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Spurs also have a few teams who they rotate quite well with. Frank’s side share a decent rotation with Burnley, Wolves and combine with Forest and Wolves too as a trio. </span></p>
<div id="attachment_73395" style="width: 850px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73395" class="size-full wp-image-73395" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/playerstats-Van-de-Ven-bordered.jpeg" alt="Micky Van de Ven Stats" width="840" height="690" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-73395" class="wp-caption-text">Micky van de Ven Stats</p>
</div>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Adrien Truffert (£4.5m) - Bournemouth</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Truffert is a compelling FPL prospect at £4.5m, especially because he’s been brought in to replace <strong>Milos Kerkez (£6.0m)</strong>.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">He is an attacking left-back who just signed from Rennes. Over his career, he has 10 goals and 23 assists in 212 games which is quite handy for a defender. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">He can play on the left side of midfield but has five goals and 18 assists at left-back, which is his preferred position and where he will be playing for the Cherries.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The 23-year-old has already made a mark with a brace against Bristol City in a <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-pre-season-results-guide">pre-season friendly</a>.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Bournemouth have their toughest fixture of the season in Gameweek 1 but then have some good fixtures. They play Wolves (H), Brighton (H), Leeds (A), Fulham (H) and Palace (A).</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Andoni Iraola’s side rotate well with Forest and Everton. Truffert looks a real prospect and definitely one to keep an eye on pre-season.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_73297" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73297" class="size-full wp-image-73297" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Adrien-Truffert.jpg" alt="Adrien Truffert. Picture by Getty Images" width="1024" height="637" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-73297" class="wp-caption-text">Adrien Truffert. Picture by Getty Images</p>
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<h2><strong>Best FPL £4.5m defenders 2025/26: Other notable options</strong></h2>
<p data-start="2" data-end="206"><strong data-start="2" data-end="29" data-is-only-node="">Maxim De Cuyper (£4.5m)</strong> - A new signing for Brighton, De Cuyper is an attacking full-back known for his creativity and set-piece threat, He managed three goals and five assists last season for Club Brugge. One to keep an eye on - especially given <strong>Pervis Estupinan </strong>is set to move on, lessening his competition.</p>
<p data-start="210" data-end="392"><strong data-start="2" data-end="24" data-is-only-node="">Lewis Dunk (£4.5m)</strong> - Brighton’s captain and set-piece threat, Dunk has been a reliable starter who combines consistent clean sheet potential with a knack for scoring. Although he didn't manage any league goals last season, he does have 16 in his previous seven. Keep an eye on pre-season though, as the Seagulls have signed two centre-backs who could limit the minutes of the ageing centre-back.</p>
<p data-start="396" data-end="571" data-is-last-node=""><strong data-start="396" data-end="419" data-is-only-node="">Kyle Walker (£4.5m)</strong> - Should be a nailed starter for Burnley. I'm really interested to see how the Clarets get on defensively in the league. They conceded a quite unbelievable 16 goals in the Championship last season. There is obviously a big gap in quality to the Premier League but it's very impressive nonetheless. They are a defence-first type of side.</p>
<div id="attachment_73299" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73299" class="size-full wp-image-73299" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/De-Cuyper.jpg" alt="Maxim De Cuyper. Picture by Getty Images" width="1024" height="683" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-73299" class="wp-caption-text">Maxim De Cuyper. Picture by Getty Images</p>
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<h2><strong>Best FPL budget defenders 2025/26: Abdul's rankings</strong></h2>
<p>I will now rank these options exclusively for Hub <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/join">members</a>.</p>
<p>Rankings are given with respect to the players FPL potential looking at price, fixtures and overall value.</p>
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Best FPL budget £4.5m defenders for 2025/26

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