Best 4.0 Defenders in FPL

A 4.0 valued defender in FPL is usually a benchwarmer, similar to a 4.5m midfielder. However, it’s still possible to gain value from a player of such low cost.

Statistics can help, as well as knowledge about squad depth and team injuries.

Even gaining just 1 point from a player of this value can be seen as a success, but you can potentially get even more by selecting the best option.

The key is, instead of adding a random player to your team just because 15% of managers have chosen him—leading to a kind of domino effect where other managers also pick the same player without knowing much about him—it’s better to do a little research and take a chance on a player who is more likely to score 2 or more points.

This bit of research can boost your overall team and help you stand out globally among FPL managers.

Such a player will become your bench strength and will allow you to allocate extra funds to premium players.

In this article, I’ll be suggesting some of the top 4.0m defenders available in FPL, who have the potential to enhance your team. I’ll be updating the list as the season progresses, so keep an eye out for these budget-friendly 4.0 defensive options.

Here are the best 4.0 Defenders in FPL for the 2025-26 season:

1. Alex Moreno (Aston Villa)

Alex Moreno being priced at £4.0m came as a surprise for many FPL managers. He’s not a guaranteed starter when everyone’s fit, but Villa’s left-back rotation is not entirely settled, and Moreno has enough attacking threat and experience to compete for minutes.

He’s featured regularly in the past and even contributed with assists and goal involvement when given the chance. If Lucas Digne gets injured or rotated — which is very likely given Villa’s packed schedule — Moreno could offer explosive value from the bench.

2. Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley)

Tuanzebe is now fully fit and back in the Premier League after injury setbacks. Burnley signed him permanently, and he’s been getting minutes in pre-season, often starting or being subbed in early.

With Burnley lacking depth at center-back and needing stability after a leaky season, Tuanzebe could break into the starting lineup soon — if not from Gameweek 1, then shortly after. Keep a close eye on his minutes. If he nails a spot, he could be a bargain starter at just £4.0m.

3. Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace)

Clyne is a forgotten name in FPL but could be very useful this season. Palace haven’t signed any new full-backs, and Clyne has been starting consistently in pre-season.

He offers decent clean sheet potential under Oliver Glasner, who tightened up Palace’s defense after his arrival.

Clyne doesn’t have much attacking threat anymore, but if he can secure starts in early Gameweeks.

Why Picking the Right 4.0m Defender Matters

You’ll rarely start your £4.0m defender, but when injuries or rotations hit your squad, these players can make the difference between a red or green arrow. Even just 2-3 starts across a season can be enough to justify their inclusion — especially if they come during double Gameweeks or fixture congestion.

These 3 defenders — Moreno, Tuanzebe, and Clyne — are currently the most viable 4.0m options based on game time potential, past experience, and team setup.

Before you go…

While there are a few other 4.0 defenders, I don’t suggest picking them for your FPL team.

These players either belong to promoted sides with no past experience of Premier League or are lower down the priority list in their respective teams.

I’ll keep updating the list of 4.0 defenders in FPL.

If you have any suggestions or thoughts about the content, feel free to contact me on Twitter.