Value Defenders (Under 23+Under £1) 2019
We have seen some significant rises in younger players lately and it is likely we will see many younger players continue to increase in price throughout 2020.
Since being highlighted in the Value Youth Players under £1 - Possible long term holds post just 6 days, the three defenders highlighted have already increased an average of a considerable 12% in price. Sergino Dest scoring two in the KNVB cup and Ozan Kabak scoring another goal against Wolfsburg saw both of these 19 year old defenders fly up in price.
Defenders
Other than via high PB scores, the price of young defenders is often largely influenced by if the player is gaining transfer speculation and young, attacking full backs are generally more expensive than young central defenders.
The main reason for this is that attacking wing backs are often more likely to hit the very high PB scores needed to earn match day dividends via key passes, crosses, dribbles and often assists. There are of course exceptions and some center backs do have strong goal scoring records which can put them in the mixer to compete for match day dividends.
We have also seen throughout 2019, a large amount of young center backs being linked to strong Premier League teams, and this can often result in a sharp increase in price.
Overall, most young defenders are unlikely to increase to the extent midfielders and forwards do after strong performances. However, many high quality, young defenders are at low prices and could increase in price significantly throughout 2020 via strong performances.
Below are defenders that are under 23 and currently under £1 which could be of strong value at their current prices for the below reasons and could increase throughout 2020. Many of the below players may not increase in price in the short term, unless, linked with a move away.
Value Defenders (Under 23+Under £1) 2019
*PB scores are from this season only
Stefan Posch
Price: £0.42
Team: Hoffenheim
Age: 22
Position: Center Back
Country: Austria
Top 5 PB scores: 198, 133, 129, 120, 98
Pros:
Very low price
Regular starter for Hoffenheim
EURO 2020 - Austria International
Fairly high PB score of 198 earlier this season with no goal / assist
Cons:
Center backs have lower price ceilings
Unlikely to compete for match day dividends regularly as a low goal scoring center back
Maximilian Mittelstadt
Price: £0.43
Team: Hertha BSC
Age: 22
Position: Left back
Country: Germany
Top 5 PB scores: 162, 130, 122, 116, 110
Pros:
Very low price
Scored 1 goal and provided 1 assist this season
Hertha Berlin form improving
Cons:
Low PB scores
Does not start every game
Chris Mepham
Price: £0.48
Team: Bournemouth
Age: 22
Position: Center Back
Country: Wales
Top 5 PB scores: 134, 114, 114, 111, 86
Pros:
EURO 2020 - Wales International
Premier League players often increase further after strong performances
Bournemouth have very favourable fixtures coming up
Started Bournemouth's last 4 games
Cons:
Lower price ceiling as a center back
Low PB scores
Previously been on the bench this season
Luiz Felipe
Price: £0.51
Team: Lazio
Age: 22
Position: Center Back
Country: Brazil
Top 5 PB scores: 170, 157, 156, 126, 122
Pros:
Regularly starts for Lazio
Lazio are a strong team in Serie A - currently 3rd
Cons:
Lower price ceiling as a center back
Increased in price already this week
Cristian Romero
Price: £0.53
Team: Genoa on loan from Juventus
Age: 21
Position: Center Back
Country: Argentina
Top 5 PB scores: 154, 127, 119, 111, 102
Pros:
Regular starter for Genoa
On loan from Juventus
Signed by Juventus for £23.4 million
Cons:
Low PB scores
Lower price ceiling as a center back
Joakim Maehle
Price: £0.61
Team: Genk
Age: 22
Position: Right Back
Country: Denmark
Top 5 PB scores: 141, 123, 116, 85, 56
Pros:
Strong transfer speculation linking Maehle to Premier League clubs
3 goals, 5 assists last season
Cons:
Currently in a non-pb league
Increased in price already this week due to transfer speculation
Marc Cucurella
Price: £0.73
Team: Getafe on loan from Barcelona
Age: 21
Position: Left back
Country: Spain
Top 5 PB scores: 160, 150, 133, 115, 103
Pros:
Getafe play in the later stages of the Europa League, although, against Ajax
Regular starter for Getafe
3 assists this season
On loan from Barcelona
Cons:
Low PB scores
Nuno Tavares
Price: £0.75
Team: Benfica
Age: 19
Position: Left Back
Country: Portugal
Top 5 PB scores: N/A
Pros:
1 goal and 2 assists in 3 games in Primeira Liga fro Benfica
Portugal Youth International
Only 10p above IPO price
Cons:
Irregularly plays for the first team
Currently plays in a non-pb league