The Fantasy Premier League defensive transfers (in and out) you should be prioritising

Gameweek 28 has triggered a defensive reshuffle across Fantasy Premier League squads, with more than 300,000 managers rushing to secure Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly (£5.0m) and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) while simultaneously jettisoning Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber (£6.4m) and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah (£5.7m), the second- and third-most transferred-out players of the period.

The exodus from Emirates Stadium assets is perhaps the most eye-catching trend. Arsenal still boast the league’s stingiest rearguard—13 clean sheets in 28 matches and only 30 “big chances” conceded—but three consecutive fixtures without a shut-out, four goals shipped in that span and a looming blank in Gameweek 31 have forced owners to trim their exposure. Timber’s early withdrawal in the 57th minute of the latest match has accelerated his sale, while the right-back has managed only one attacking return since the turn of the year. Yet with Chelsea, Brighton and Everton on the horizon, columnist Holly Shand recommends retaining goalkeeper David Raya (£6.0m) and centre-half Gabriel (£7.1m) as core pieces, provided managers abandon the idea of doubling—or tripling—up on Gunners defenders.

Stamford Bridge assets are also being off-loaded en masse. Chalobah and left-back Marc Cucurella (£6.1m) have both entered the top-five outbound list despite a gentle run in which all five opponents sat in the bottom half of the table. Chelsea remain unbeaten in that sequence—wins over Crystal Palace, West Ham and Wolves, plus draws with Leeds United and Burnley—but the expected clean sheets never materialised: only nine for the campaign and seven goals conceded in the last five matches. Underlying numbers offer little comfort; the Blues rank third for shots conceded (51) and have allowed 12 “big chances” in the same period. With trips to Arsenal and Aston Villa next, the fixture wheel has turned against Chalobah, whose average of 3.2 points per game and reliance on the two-point defensive-bonus threshold make him a prime sell.

The case for cashing in on premium Arsenal and Chelsea defenders strengthens when set against the form of Van Dijk and O’Reilly. The Dutch colossus has delivered two goals and one assist in the last five gameweeks—his only attacking returns of the league season—while ranking fifth among all players for big chances (5) and ninth for shots inside the box (17). Liverpool have won three of their last four, conceding just three goals and registering two clean sheets. Upcoming encounters with West Ham, Wolves, Spurs and Brighton—West Ham and Wolves currently occupy relegation places—cement Van Dijk’s status as Shand’s priority purchase this week.

O’Reilly, listed as a defender but deployed high in Pep Guardiola’s midfield, has plundered three goals in the last two gameweeks and now has four goals and three assists for the season. Among defenders he leads for shots (eight) over that stretch, yet City’s blank in Gameweek 31—due to Carabao Cup final duties—means owners must weigh squad depth before buying. Those sitting on surplus transfers or a robust bench can still capitalise on fixtures against Nottingham Forest (home), Leeds and West Ham.

For managers chasing rank, Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw (£5.0m) offers differential appeal at less than 10 per cent ownership. The Magpies host Everton in Gameweek 28, the first of three home fixtures in the next four, and Thiaw—who scored a brace at Goodison earlier this campaign—already has four league goals. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate (£5.4m), £0.6m cheaper than Van Dijk and buoyed by the same plum schedule, notched against Newcastle in Gameweek 24 and has hit the defensive-bonus threshold in two of his last four starts.

With the season entering its decisive stretch, the message from the FPL market is clear: offload Timber and Chalobah before their value erodes further, prioritise Van Dijk for immediate impact, and—if your squad can stomach a Gameweek 31 absence—ride the O’Reilly wave while it crests.

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