Champions League Fantasy: Defenders for every budget

From premium-priced assets to budget gems, UEFA.com runs the rule over defenders on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

PREMIUM OPTIONS

Theo Hernández (€6.5m) is the only defender in his price backet, but being the most expensive defender in #UCLfantasy does not seemed to have affected his popularity as the AC Milan full-back is currently the highest owned player in his position. Hernández has already scored in Serie A this season and takes on Newcastle in one of the early kick-offs on Matchday 1.

Not far behind Hernández in terms of ownership is Bayern's Alphonso Davies (€6.0m), who features in over a quarter of squads. The Canadian provided two assists in the UEFA Champions League last season, and has made three assists in three Bundesliga appearances in 2023/24.

Other attacking full-backs are proving popular with Paris's Achraf Hakimi (€6.0m) and Barcelona loan signing João Cancelo (€6.0m), who both registered multiple attacking returns last season, boasting high ownerships.

MID-PRICED OPTIONS

With eight clean sheets, three assists, 44 ball recoveries and a Player of the Match award in the Champions League last season, it's easy to see why Alessandro Bastoni (€5.5m) is one of the most popular mid-priced defenders. Inter team-mate Federico Dimarco (€5.5m) – with five assists in 2022/23 – is also proving a popular choice, while the ultra-attacking Denzel Dumfries (€5.5m) will tempt many Fantasy managers ahead of Matchday 1.

None of that trio are the most heavily-owned defender in this bracket though, that honour going to Rúben Dias (€5.5m). The Manchester City centre-back made 61 ball recoveries in Europe last season, adding a goal and seven clean sheets. New team-mate Joško Gvardiol (€5.5m) also looks a tempting option, particularly having scored twice in the Champions League for Leipzig last season.

Benfica centre-back António Silva (€5.0m) was a popular budget pick last term, and despite a small price increase this time around, could still represent excellent value for money if he displays the form that brought him two goals and 61 ball recoveries in 2022/23. Another popular bargain was Napoli's Minjae Kim (€5.0m), who is now at Bayern and currently features in 7% of teams.

BUDGET OPTIONS

Defenders from last season's finalists are proving popular in the budget department. Manchester City's Nathan Aké (€4.5m) features in 13% of teams, while Inter's Francesco Acerbi (€4.5m) and Matteo Darmian (€4.5m) are also attracting attention. Fantasy investors should be aware, though, that Acerbi is yet to feature this season due to a calf injury.

If Newcastle are to have success in a difficult group then ball recoveries could be key, so Sven Botman (€4.5m), Fabian Schär (€4.5m) and Dan Burn (€4.5m) are interesting options, while Real Madrid have a budget option of their own in Fran García (€4.5m), who has started all four La Liga games this season.

Those looking for an attacking budget defender may want to consider David Raum (€4.5m), who has two assists in four games for Leipzig in 2023/24.