Top 5 Defenders For Defensive Contribution Points In FPL 2025/26

If you have locked your FPL team for 2025/26 season but want to make changes, then it's the right time to do so, where defenders are finally getting the recognition they deserve! With the introduction of Defensive Contribution Points in FPL, your FPL backline strategy is about to get a whole lot more interesting. Let’s break down what this change means, who the top picks are, and why stats matter more than ever for your defenders.

Defenders for Defensive Contribution Points In FPL

Gone are the days when defenders’ FPL lives depended solely on clean sheets and the occasional goal. As of this season, defenders will earn 2 extra points if they rack up 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions, and tackles (CBIT) in a single match, capped at 2 points per fixture.

The big winners? Dominant centre-backs and defensive stalwarts on busy teams, especially those who love a last-ditch challenge or are constantly in the thick of the action. The spotlight’s shifting from just attacking full-backs to hard-hitting centre-backs, and even some defensive midfielders, making them premium value picks. If you want points even when clean sheets vanish, these are the defenders for defensive contribution points you need.

James Tarkowski (Everton, £5.5m)

There’s a reason Tarkowski is the poster boy for DC points; he’s not just a pretty face who appears on reality TV Shows. Last season, he bagged 44 DC points, which is nearly as many as 11 extra clean sheets. Talk about helping Pickford out. Tarkowski reached the DC mark in 22 of his 33 starts (a 66.7% hit rate). He was an ever-present wall, clocking up a massive 10.96 CBIT (Clearances, Blocks, Interceptions, Tackles) per 90. If you want a reliable, set-and-forget rock with both bonus and DC upside, he’s your guy.

Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace, £5.0m)

Now this one will come as a shock for many, but this underrated defender's numbers speak for themselves. Lacroix flew a bit under the radar but surprised everyone with 34 DC points, getting in the top 10 for both DC and overall FPL points among defenders last season. Averaging 10.02 CBIT per 90, he quietly outperformed attacking full-backs like Munoz for DC, boosting his total to a whopping revised 148 points in the new system. System matters, and Palace’s defending under pressure turned Lacroix into an unexpected gold mine.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest, £5.5m)

Murillo is a tackling machine and interception king, putting up 38 DC points with just under 10 CBIT/90. He’s become the centerpiece of Forest’s defense, and his ability to make crucial interventions means he’ll keep piling on those extra FPL points, even if Forest find themselves pressed in their own box. He’s not the flashiest, but for consistent DC returns, Murillo delivers. Add to that the fact that he even bagged 2 goals last season, and he’s a solid pick.

Nathan Collins (Brentford, £5.0m)

A reliable starter, Collins was ever-present and piled up over 220 clearances, resulting in 32 DC points. He’s a value pick due to consistent playing time and high defensive activity. In fact, both he and Ethan Pinnock played key roles in ensuring Brentford’s late string of wins to keep them afloat in the Premier League for next season.

Ethan Pinnock (Brentford, £4.5m)

With 36 DC points and a 61% success rate for hitting the DC milestone per start, Pinnock is a bargain for those looking to maximize defensive returns. Slightly cheaper than Collins, he’s a tempting option for your squad.

How Should You Pick Best FPL Defenders This Season?

Don’t just chase full-backs with attacking returns, embrace the reliable, gritty centre-backs and tireless stoppers who rack up defensive actions week in, week out. If you want stable “floor” points, the five best FPL defenders above are your ticket. With the new points system, defenders finally get credit for all their dirty work, even in the FPL.

This season, prioritizing players like Tarkowski or Lacroix means you’re not just hoping for occasional attacking magic; you’re banking on a steady stream of bonuses any time they’re under siege. Enjoy the new defensive contribution points in FPL, and pick wisely!