FPL team: Five defenders you should consider picking for Gameweek 1

The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood has picked out defenders you should consider signing...

• Gabriel Magalhaes- (£8.0m):The Brazilian is the premium option after Arsenal’s defensive record last season and his set-piece threat. Gabriel blanked only six times last season and only two defenders in FPL’s history have recorded a bigger points tally than what he achieved in 2025/26.
• Nico O’Reilly (£6.5m):If Liverpool’s- Virgil van Dijk- (£6.5m)is too expensive, then the young Manchester City left-back is a solid option. He often takes up advanced positions and is a threat in the opposition area. Enzo Maresca is also likely to use a system that allows him to invert and create from dangerous areas.
• James Tarkowski- (£6.0m):The Everton centre-back was among the three leading defenders for Defensive Contributions last season and, with- Marcos Senesi (£6.0m)and- Maxence Lacroix (£6.0m)moving to more possession-based sides this season, there is scope for Tarkowski to be near the top of this list again.
• Luka Vuskovic (£5.0m):The towering defender scored six goals when on loan in the Bundesliga last season and comes to the Premier League with good pedigree. He is gaining traction among the FPL community for his potential DEFCONs too.
• Milan van Ewijk (£4.0m):The Coventry full-back is very attack-minded and could be an exciting prospect. He recorded eight assists in the Championship last term, more than any Coventry player, and also created 46 chances for his teammates.