We are here with our Top 5 26-27 FPL Picks for Defensive Contribution Points. When building your opening squad for the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season, it's worth looking beyond goals, assists, and clean sheets. One of the biggest scoring additions introduced last season was Defensive Contribution (DC) points, and selecting players who consistently hit those thresholds can provide valuable extra returns over the course of a campaign.
As a reminder, defenders need to record 10 defensive contributions in a match to earn two bonus FPL points, while midfielders and forwards require 12 defensive contributions to receive the same reward.
In general, very few forwards regularly reach the required threshold, making defenders and hardworking midfielders the standout options. Here are the top five FPL assets for defensive contribution potential heading into 2026/27.
1. Elliot Anderson (£6.5m, Manchester City)
Manchester City's new signing Elliot Anderson tops this list after producing an incredible defensive contribution campaign with Nottingham Forest last season.
Anderson amassed 52 DC points, finishing comfortably ahead of every other midfielder. Even more impressive was his 70.3% success rate, nearly 10 percentage points better than any other player in his position.
His move to Manchester City could make him an even more attractive fantasy asset. If Rodri departs for Real Madrid, Anderson could become the leader of City's midfield under Enzo Maresca. While the city typically dominates possession, Anderson's relentless work rate, pressing ability, and ball-winning qualities should still provide plenty of opportunities to collect defensive contribution points.
On top of that, playing in one of the league's strongest attacking teams could also improve his goal involvement, making him one of the best-value £6.5m midfielders in the game.
2. Marcos Senesi (£6.0m, Tottenham Hotspur)
Marcos Senesi was the undisputed king among defenders for defensive contributions last season.
During his final campaign with Bournemouth, he accumulated 50 DC points, effectively the equivalent of more than 12 additional clean sheets purely through defensive work.
Now, however, comes the interesting question.
Following his move to Tottenham Hotspur, Senesi joins Roberto De Zerbi's side, a team expected to dominate possession and control matches much more frequently than Bournemouth did. While Spurs should offer greater clean-sheet potential, there may actually be fewer opportunities for Senesi to rack up clearances, blocks, and interceptions if opponents spend less time attacking.
His defensive contribution ceiling therefore remains uncertain, but his proven track record means he still deserves a place near the top of every DC watchlist.
3. James Garner (£6.0m, Everton)
Everton midfielder James Garner quietly enjoyed one of the best all-rounder fantasy seasons among midfielders.
Garner finished with 40 defensive contribution points, the second-highest total among midfielders behind Anderson, while also contributing 2 goals and 7 assists across an outstanding campaign.
What makes Garner particularly appealing is his balance.
Unlike many defensive midfielders, he offers creativity from set pieces, excellent passing range, and the ability to chip in with attacking returns while continuing to accumulate defensive contribution points. Everton's structured style also suits his game perfectly, allowing him to consistently win possession and recover loose balls.
At £6.0m, he could be one of the smartest value midfield selections for managers looking for steady week-to-week returns.
4. Charlie Hughes (£4.0m, Hull City)
Budget defenders rarely generate excitement, but Charlie Hughes could become one of the biggest bargains in Fantasy.
His performances for Hull City in the Championship and play-offs were exceptional. Hughes averaged 11.8 defensive contributions per 90 minutes, the highest figure of any defender who started at least half of their club's league matches during 2025/26. That even edged Senesi's impressive average of 11.5.
Had defensive contribution scoring existed in the Championship, Hughes would have earned DC points in 23 of his 36 starts, a remarkable 63.9% success rate.
The obvious caveat is that the Premier League is a completely different level. Stronger attackers, quicker transitions, and a higher overall quality of opposition mean reproducing those numbers won't be straightforward. We'll have to wait and see whether Hughes can translate his Championship dominance into top-flight success, but at just £4.0m, he's certainly one to monitor.
5. Dara O'Shea (£4.0m, Ipswich Town)
Another budget option worth considering is Dara O'Shea of Ipswich Town.
O'Shea has consistently shown himself to be an excellent defender capable of producing plenty of clearances, headers, and blocks, making him an intriguing candidate for defensive contribution points.
Like Hughes, though, there's an important warning. The Premier League is a whole different level from the Championship, and while O'Shea's defensive numbers have been impressive outside the top flight, it remains to be seen whether he can consistently reach the required thresholds against elite Premier League attacks.
Still, at only £4.0m, he offers excellent value as a bench defender who could provide occasional DC returns alongside potential appearance points.
Final Thoughts
Defensive contribution points have added an entirely new layer to Fantasy Premier League strategy, rewarding players who excel without necessarily delivering goals or assists.
Among the standout picks for 2026/27, Elliot Anderson looks like the premium choice after his outstanding numbers and exciting move to Manchester City. Marcos Senesi remains one of the safest defensive contribution specialists despite questions over Tottenham's playing style, while James Garner offers an excellent blend of defensive reliability and attacking output.
For managers searching for budget gems, Charlie Hughes and Dara O'Shea are worth keeping on the radar. Both boast strong defensive numbers, although adapting those performances to the Premier League will be the biggest challenge. If either succeeds, they could become two of the best-value defenders in Fantasy this season.
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