Best overall: Egan leads the rating
With gameweek 3 of 2026/27 in progress, 82 defenders priced at £5.0m or less are playing regular minutes. Egan leads our rating, which weighs minutes, clean sheets, defensive actions and fixtures. At £4.1m, his 23 points combine three clean sheets with 13.7 defensive actions per 90. That makes him a strong budget starting option, although HUL’s even run ahead, rated FDR 3.2, is no reason to assume the clean sheets will continue.
Mendy offers the strongest cheaper alternative at £4.0m: 24 points, two clean sheets, one attacking return and 15.1 defensive actions per 90. Ajayi has scored more than either, with 25 points at £4.1m, but his 7.4 defensive actions per 90 trail both. Prefer Egan or Mendy if that underlying contribution drives your decision. Giles costs £4.0m too, but his 4.1 defensive actions per 90 make his three clean sheets a less persuasive buying argument.
Paying more for attacking returns
De Cuyper’s three attacking returns provide a different route into budget defence. The £4.8m BHA defender has 21 points despite just one clean sheet, making him worth considering if you want attacking output rather than choosing chiefly on defensive actions. His 19.8% ownership is not itself a reason to buy, however. With an even FDR 3.2 run ahead, the case rests on those attacking returns continuing, not a clear fixture advantage.
Bogle offers a cheaper compromise at £4.5m, with 22 points, two clean sheets and one attacking return. His 5.0 defensive actions per 90 and FDR 3.4 schedule temper the appeal, even at 1.4% ownership. Vuskovic costs £5.0m for 18 points, one clean sheet, one attacking return and 7.3 defensive actions per 90. Neither demands the extra spend over Egan or Mendy; choose them only if you favour their particular balance of returns.
Thomas offers the fixture argument
Thomas is the clearest alternative if fixtures carry more weight in your selection. At £4.0m, the COV defender combines 15 points and one clean sheet with 10.9 defensive actions per 90. His fair FDR 2.4 run is more appealing than HUL’s FDR 3.2 schedule. That gives managers a reason to look beyond the highest scorers, particularly when choosing a cheap defender to start rather than simply occupy a bench slot.
The case against Thomas is straightforward: his 5.0 points per game trails Egan’s 7.7 and Mendy’s 8.0, while both also have higher defensive-action rates. Fixtures strengthen his appeal without settling the decision. Prefer Thomas if the upcoming run is your priority; prefer Egan or Mendy if you place greater weight on the stronger defensive contribution recorded so far.
Cheapest starters to release funds
For managers funding two premiums up front, the cheapest playing slots need scrutiny beyond minutes alone. Both van Ewijk and Amenda cost £4.0m and have played 270 minutes, with COV’s fair FDR 2.4 run ahead. Yet van Ewijk has six points and 6.7 defensive actions per 90, while Amenda has four points and 5.3. Their starting records support the enabling role, but their returns offer less encouragement if you need regular points from that slot.
The £4.0m IPS options have also played 270 minutes. O’Shea and Diop each have seven points, with O’Shea ahead on defensive actions per 90, 10.0 to 9.3. Davis has nine points and one attacking return, but a lower defensive-action rate of 5.7. Their even FDR 3.2 run supplies no fixture edge over Egan, whose 270 minutes and stronger output make the extra £0.1m worth considering. Resist spending even that difference if it compromises your intended premium structure.
