Three weeks ago, new Real Madrid C.F. signing Trent Alexander-Arnold ($6.4m) surprised many at his official unveiling when he introduced himself in flawless Spanish. Just as impressive as his off-field adaptation has been, so too has been his seamless introduction to the Madrid first XI.
That has seen the English defender emerge, as expected, both as a crucial part of his team’s title push at the FIFA Club World Cup™ as well as being a key fantasy asset.
Having grabbed an assist and a clean sheet (as he was substitute prior to the late Borussia Dortmund fightback in New York New Jersey) for the second straight match he bagged ten points in another impressive outing.
That saw him finish level with fellow defender Achraf Hakimi ($6.5m), who also pocketed clean sheet points to go with his goal in Paris Saint-Germain’s win over FC Bayern München.
In what has been a remarkably consistent tournament for the game’s two highest-priced defensive assets, Hakimi and Alexander-Arnold sit first and third on the list of the game highest-scoring defenders and appear an essential investment for the semi-finals.
With another slew of high-profile players exiting the competition, owners will again be scrambling for a way to maximize their use of the five free transfers – as well as any remaining Boosters – that are on offer before the semis get underway on Tuesday.
Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 FC Bayern München
DEF Achraf Hakimi (PSG, $6.5m) – 10 points
MID Joao Neves (PSG, $6.5m) – 9 points
MID Desire Doue (PSG, $8.2m) – 8 points
FWD Harry Kane (Bayern, $11.0m) – 2 points
MID Michael Olise (Bayern, $9.4m) – 2 points
MID Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG, $9.2m) – 3 points
Real Madrid C.F. 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
DEF Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid, $6.4m) – 10 points
MID Arda Guler (Real Madrid, $6.5m) – 9 points
FWD Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund, $9.0m) – 9 points
DEF Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid, $5.2m) | -2 points
MID Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund, $8.0m) – 1 point
MID Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, $9.3m) – 3 points
Fluminense FC v Chelsea FC
MID Pedro Neto (Chelsea, $6.5m) – 26.3%
DEF Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, $5.8m) – 25.5%
MID Cole Palmer (Chelsea, $9.6m) – 24.3%
MID Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea, $6.2m) – 17.1%
DEF Juan Pablo Freytes (Fluminense, $4.1m) – 12.8%
We’ve now reached the point of the tournament where going ‘all-in’ on one or two clubs is a viable strategy, especially for those looking to make up late ground in their mini-leagues.
That’s perhaps an option here for a Fluminense FC side that have kept clean sheets in three of their five outings, conceding only three times all tournament. Given they face a Chelsea FC side that will be without the suspended defender Levi Colwill ($5.3m) and forward Liam Delap ($6.0m) as well as likely Reece James ($5.8m) and others through injury, Flu are in a great position to be the first team to reach the decider.
That brings their veteran keeper Fabio ($4.6m) as well as defenders Thiago Silva ($4.7m) and Samuel Xavier ($4.2m) right into play, although the impressive Juan Pablo Freytes ($4.1m) is suspended in a blow.
