'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Joel Veltman (BHA) (DEF) (£4.5 million)
Brighton's Joel Veltman caught the eye of many with his solid performances for Brighton last season. The Dutchman showed his versatility, taking up a variety of positions in the backline and in midfield at times.
Brighton's stellar defensive stats placed them third in the xGA (expected goals against) stat. While Ben White's departure could weaken their defence, they're still arguably among the top ten defences in the league. While Tariq Lamptey (BHA) (DEF) (£4.5 million) could compete with him at right-back once he's fit, Veltman is currently nailed-on to start for the Seagulls.
There are lots of expectations from Graham Potter's side to deliver on their underlying stats this season. If that happens, Veltman could end with a sizeable FPL haul at the end of the season. Considering that he offers good defensive and attacking potential, he should be on the list of the best FPL budget defenders this season.
#2 Ben White (ARS) (DEF) (£4.5 million)
While Ben White's transfer reduces Brighton's clean sheet potential, it should make him and his Arsenal colleagues much better FPL options. Despite the criticism they coped up, Arsenal ended last season as the third-best defensive side, only behind Manchester City and Chelsea.
White's addition could only strengthen them, and at just £4.5 million, he could offer lots of value playing for a defensively solid team. While he doesn't offer much goal threat, he has a decent chance of getting bonus points whenever the team keeps a clean sheet. He ranks fourth for BPS among £4.5 million defenders, and those numbers could only improve this season.
While Arsenal's prospects from an FPL perspective have diminished over the last few seasons, ignore Ben White at your own peril. He has the potential to be the best budget FPL defender this season.
#1 Luke Ayling (LEE) (DEF) (£4.5 million)
Luke Ayling was one of the most unlucky FPL defenders last season. The Leeds United full-back had brilliant underlying numbers in attack, but ended the season without an attacking return. He could deliver on those underlying stats in his second stint in the Premier League.
Leeds don't have a good set of opening fixtures, but from Gameweek 5 onwards, they have a lot of winnable matches. For the majority of last season, Leeds didn't have a reliable defence, conceding plenty of goals. However, they shored up tremendously towards the end of the season, and were among the top three defences in the last nine Gameweeks of the Premier League season.
If they can maintain their defensive stability this season, Ayling could offer lots of potential both in defence and attack. While Junior Firpo is a better option at £0.5 more than him, Luke Ayling is the best FPL budget defender ahead of the start of the season.
