Euro 2020 Fantasy: Top 5 budget defenders

Footballing action continues after the end of the 2020-21 season, with Euro 2020 and the Copa America set to kick off in the coming weeks.

For FPL and UCL Fantasy managers who thought that they could grab their breath before beginning preparations for the next season, it is tough luck. That's because Euro 2020 Fantasy is here and will continue over seven Matchdays till the Final on July 11th.

The format is similar to the one used in UCL Fantasy, and managers will have multiple chances to select their captain and make manual substitutions. It means Euro Fantasy managers will have to adopt a slightly different method when selecting their teams.

Selecting bench-fodder players is a popular FPL tactic, but that won't be useful when substituting players. Having a bench with players who'll get regular game-time will be crucial in forming a solid team, and budget-friendly picks are vital assets for Euro Fantasy managers.

Also Read: Fabrizio Romano’s Transfer Roundup: Update on Lionel Messi’s contract, Chelsea’s plan for the summer, and more.

There are quite a few Fantasy options that cost £4.5 million or less, but not all of them merit discussion. However, there are some exciting options that could help you steal a march over your rivals by freeing funds to use elsewhere. On that note, let's take a look at the top five budget defenders in Euro Fantasy 2020.

£4 million defenders

Lukas Hradecky is among the cheapest starting goalkeepers in Euro 2020 Fantasy.

I'm adding £4 million defenders to this subsection because I feel they don't offer that much in terms of points potential to be considered in the top five. Most of them are doubtful starters, with Finland and North Macedonia the two teams offering the best options. Hungary have some starting options as well, but considering the might of the opposition in their group, it's wise to steer clear of them.

Stefan Ristovski (MKD) (DEF) (£4 million) looks to be the pick of the bunch. The North Macedonian defender looks to be a nailed-on starter on the right side of defence. He carries a decent attacking threat as well. While it'll be tough against the Netherlands, North Macedonia do stand a chance of keeping a shut-out in their remaining two games.

Finnish centre-backs Paulus Arajuuri and Joona Toivio are two other £4 million defenders who're likely to start, although goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky offers better value than either of them. Other potential options could come from Hungary, although their tough fixtures make it difficult to consider those players as serious options.

Honourable Mentions

Edzijan Alioski is capable of generating some huge hauls if he gets attacking returns.

Among the £4.5 million defenders, some appealing options haven't made it to the top five, and I wish to highlight them.

Right off the bat, Egzijan Alioski (DEF) (£4.5 million) (MKD) is an exciting pick, as he is on penalty and set-piece duties for his team. However, the chances of North Macedonia keeping a shutout are slim, and the odds on whether he could get some attacking returns are difficult to predict.

Turkey's Zeki Celik (DEF) (£4.5 million) and Austria's centre-back Martin Hinteregger (DEF) (£4.5 million) offer more defensive solidity but with reduced attacking potential. Borna Barisic (DEF) (£4.5 m) (CRO) could also be a decent differential.

Wales defenders Connor Roberts and Neco Williams offer decent attacking and defensive potential. While Roberts can take up any position on the right side of defence, Neco Williams can play as a full-back on both flanks and also as a midfielder.

#5 Simon Kjaer (DEN) (£4.5 million)

AC Milan centre-back Simon Kjaer will lead Denmark at Euro 2020.

Simon Kjaer is a nailed-on option for a Denmark side that has a good potential for clean sheets. Considering that he'll captain his team, Kjaer is a secure starter for any Euro Fantasy manager who'd like to invest in him.

Denmark have a decent chance of qualifying from Group B, with Belgium, Russia, and Finland, the other contenders. While the game against Belgium isn't likely to yield returns, the Danes will fancy their chances to keep shutouts against Finland and Russia.

Kjaer offers decent goal threat from set-pieces, but his defensive potential is what makes him an appealing option. At £4.5 million, he's a good budget defender to have.

#4 Joakim Maehle (DEN) (£4.5 million)

I'm following Kjaer with his teammate Joakim Maehle. The Atalanta full-back offers another cut-price route into a solid-looking Denmark defence. He plays on the left side of the Denmark backline and has more attacking potential compared to Kjaer.

Maehle is a relatively secure starter for his team but isn't as nailed-on as Kjaer is. For those looking for a player with better attacking potential and willing to take some risk, Maehle is an ideal budget defender.

#3 Owen Wijndal (NED) (£4.5 million)

Dutch left-back Owen Wijndal is another solid budget defender for Euro Fantasy managers to consider. His spot in the XI seems to be secure, despite competition from Patrick Van Aanholt (DEF) (NED) (£5.5 million). Wijndal has started five of his team's last six matches and looks comfortable playing both as a left-back and a left-wing-back.

He has good attacking potential down the left flank and is capable of chipping in with assists as well. Netherlands' defending hasn't been great in recent times, but one can hope that a team of their quality would tighten the screws on the big stage.

While there are safer options available at a higher price, Wijndal seems to be the player to go for in Netherlands' defence.

#2 Pau Torres (ESP) (£4.5 million)

Pau Torres is among the most popular Euro Fantasy defenders, with more than 15% ownership at the time of writing. The highly-rated centre-back seems to have earned the trust of Luis Enrique and should partner Aymeric Laporte at the heart of Spain's defence.

Spain are capable of keeping clean sheets in their group-stage fixtures against Sweden, Poland and Slovakia. At £4.5 million, Torres offers a cut-price route into one of the most secure defences in the tournament. Despite his lack of attacking potential, Torres is most certainly a good budget defender.

#1 Jason Denayer (BEL) (£4.5 million)

Belgium head into Euro 2020 as FIFA's no. 1 ranked team and are one of the favourites to win the tournament. They shouldn't have any problems qualifying from Group B, as they look much stronger than any of their group-stage opponents, at least on paper.

Their defence is among the most solid ones in the tournament, and Jason Denayer offers a cheap route into their backline. The Lyon centre-back is a regular starter for Belgium and should feature in all of their games in the competition.

Denayer offers a decent threat from set-pieces and has clean sheet potential in all three group-stage matches. He's easily the best budget defensive option available in the game.