In this FPL Dilemma we look at two slightly above budget, high potential defenders. These are Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof and Tottenham Hotspurs’ Kieran Trippier. With both players high potential we look at who will feature more? Who will be worth their price tag?
Without further ado, let’s analyse this FPL Dilemma…
Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier was first brought into FPL managers teams during the 2014/15 season with his former club Burnley, after they were promoted from the Championship. He made all 38 appearances in the starting XI that season, which shows his impressive natural fitness. The right back also managed to keep 10 clean sheets which are crucial for extra points in FPL managers. Defensively Trippier was solid for Burnley but also bagged 4 assists in the 2014/15 season.
In the 2015/16 season he switched to White Hart Lane and was constantly overlooked for Kyle Walker and only made 6 appearances. However he did score 1 goal, 1 assist and kept 1 clean sheet. In 2016/17 he managed to double his tally and made 12 appearances, but was still 2nd choice to Walker keeping 2 clean sheets and an impressive 5 assists in such short playing time.
With Kyle Walker’s big money move to Manchester City, this leaves Trippier currently at first choice for the right back position and I think it’ll stay that way unless Spurs sign a first team worthy full back. Priced at 5.5m on FPL he will most likely be the most selected defender for Spurs coverage, dependant on performances and fitness.
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof signed from Portuguese side Benfica and is highly thought of by manager Jose Mourinho. This will be the young defenders debut season in the Premier League and will be interesting to see his development.
For Benfica in the 2016/17 season he made 32 appearances and played as a centre back, scoring 1 goal and keeping 20 clean sheets in Liga Nos. In addition to this he has shown his versatility before playing defensive midfield and right back on occasions.
Lindelof’s discipline level in the 2016/17 season was quite impressive as he was only booked once in 32 games or 2,880 minutes of football. The lack of bookings could be crucial for FPL managers if he carries on his defensive duties and keeps a level head.
Also priced at 5.5m, there are arguably better Manchester United defenders such as Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia that could be options to consider ahead of Lindelof, especially as it’s his first season adapting to English football.
The Verdict
For me this was an easy decision personally I’d choose Trippier but for some I can understand the decision to include Lindelof as I think he’ll start alongside Bailly, as he has done over pre-season. However, if he doesn’t adapt to English football as quickly as Mourinho wants, it is possible that he could be switched out for Chris Smalling or even Daley Blind.
Trippier is a guaranteed starter unless Spurs’ dive into the transfer window for another right back, as they only have Kyle Walker-Peters who can naturally play right back as well as Trippier.
Also, managers need to look at point potential; Trippier will be both defending and attacking which is more capable of combining clean sheets, goals and assists than Lindelof will at centre back. Yes clean sheets and maybe a goal or two across a season but not enough for me.
My winner is Trippier.
Written by James Milburn (@jamesmilburn95)
