Tottenham’s Kyle Walker has been fantasy football’s best defender outside of Chelsea’s terrific trio of Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. While Spurs won’t win the Premier League title this season, the club should finish as the team to allow the fewest goals.
Walker and company have allowed a mere 24 goals while racking up 17 clean sheets as a unit, and the right-back has contributed to 14 of Spurs’ clean sheets this term. In addition, his 142 fantasy points ranks him fifth in Tottenham’s squad behind the team’s fantastic attacking quartet of Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son.
Total FPL points: 142; GW 37: 1 points
Walker has suffered from injuries in recent gameweeks, which has limited his points production. Yet, his influence on the team is still important, and if he plays in Spurs’ final game of the season, could reap fantasy managers plenty of points.
While Walker hasn’t scored goals this term, he has provided assists (five), and his galloping runs from right-back have been a source of goals vital to Spurs’ season. Defensively, Walker has been a rock, averaging 2.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, according to WhoScored.com. Walker currently ranks second on Spurs in tackles with 72 behind Victor Wanyama. Meanwhile, he has created 39 chances this term.
The England right-back’s season as Spurs’ highest scoring fantasy defender has piqued Manchester City and Chelsea’s interest. Both clubs are expected to double Walker’s current £65,000 a week wages. Despite reports that Tottenham will allow him to leave, some sources indicate Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy wants Walker suitors to pay through the nose. The defender is contracted to the club through 2021. He just signed the deal last September.
Losing such an important part of the defence could hurt Tottenham ahead of next season, especially with the club so close to reaching the top of the Premier League pile. Walker isn’t the only player rumoured to be out the door as Manchester United are believed to be after Eric Dier. Walker and Dier are both valued at around £40 million.
Key Kyle Walker Stats:
- 71% tackle success rate
- 38 interceptions
- 197 duels won
- 0 errors leading to goals
- 8 yellow cards, 0 red cards
- 5 assists
- 96 crosses
- 44.36 passes per match
While many fantasy managers overlook their defence, Walker’s success in 2016-17 is proof that steady, contributing defenders help make dynamic fantasy teams. Kyle Walker has been the best right-back in the Premier League this season and his play shouldn’t be overlooked.
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