Scouting the Championship - Defenders

Today we look at the men trying to shut out the opposition forwards in the Championship – the defenders.
 
Right Backs:

 
Maxime Colin – Brentford
 
Frenchman Colin has been at Brentford for a season already, making the right-back slot his own. His stats across the board are solid – he doesn’t stand out anywhere apart from stamina, but he doesn’t massively lack anywhere either. He develops quickly with the right training after starting a save, and with a value of £3.5million, he could develop into a quality option for years to come.
 

 
Liam Rosenior – Brighton and Hove Albion
 
It seems that Brighton have their pick of quality right-backs, with Rosenior and Bruno (the next man on this list) on their books. Rosenior has carved out a solid career so far, playing at Fulham, Reading and Hull amongst others, but he still has a few years left in the tank. A great team player with excellent stamina, and above average tackling, pace and decisions, Rosenior also has the option to play further up the field should you need him.

 

Bruno – Brighton and Hove Albion

 

The second Brighton player on the list is 35-year-old Spaniard Bruno. Something of a cult hero on the south coast, don’t let his age fool you – he can still give you a decent option for a season or two. His technique and stamina are right up there, but his high aggression score is a little bit of a concern. Bruno is certainly worth looking at for a cheap, short-term choice.
 

Matthew Connolly – Cardiff City
 
Matthew Connolly is a defender with key stats in all the right places – tackling, positioning, strength and aerial ability. More comfortable in the centre rather than on the flank (but he can play on both), he is an excellent utility option to have in your squad. Valued at £3.1million, and aged just 28, the majority of Premier League teams would do well to have a look at him.
 

 

Ryan Fredericks – Fulham
 
Former Tottenham man Ryan Fredericks joined Fulham in the summer following a spell at Bristol City which can be counted in days rather than years. His skills suit those looking for a more attacking full-back, with his crossing, pace and movement all north of 15. His valuation of £4.4million is high, but he has a lot of ability, as well as the potential to develop further.
 

 

Christopher Schindler – Huddersfield Town
 
Huddersfield have been something of a surprise package in the Championship this season, but with players like Schindler in the team they really shouldn't be consider a surprise at all. The German is comfortable playing across the back four, and with high stats in aerial ability, leadership, positioning and stamina, it’s not hard to see why. At 26, he’s coming into the prime of his career, but Huddersfield may be reluctant to sell having only just signed him.
 

 

Giuseppe Bellusci – Leeds United
 
One of my favourites on this list is Giuseppe Bellusci of Leeds. The Italian’s only major weakness is his shooting, which isn’t key for a right-back, and he is a natural leader, mixing good strength with a good tackling score. More comfortable in the middle, his pace, stamina and crossing skills all make him a good option for the right-back slot, and Leeds can be convinced to sell for not much more than his asking price of £3.9million.
 

 

Chancel Mbemba – Newcastle United
 
The most expensive right-back here, Newcastle’s Democratic Republic of Congo international comes in at a hefty £7million pounds. For that, you get an experienced international, only 21 years of age, who is strong, positions himself well, and works for the good of his team. Like many others on this list, he prefers to play in the centre of the field, but certainly has the skills to be more than effective on the right. If you’re looking to invest heavily in someone who is decent enough now, and with bags of potential, then Mbemba may be your man.
 

 

Dominic Iorfa – Wolverhampton Wanderers
 
Last, but by no means least, is Dominic Iorfa of Wolves, my personal favourite. Combining great strength, speed and aerial ability with good positioning, dribbling and teamwork, Iorfa stands out from the crowd as a right-back who can play in the middle, rather than the other way around. Tipped as a future international, I doubt it will be long before Iorfa is picked up by a bigger club in real life. Get him now, before someone else does.
 
Left Backs:
 

Jordan Amavi – Aston Villa
 
Young Frenchman Jordan Amavi kicks off this section of the list in a big way. The Villa defender was linked with an immediate return to the Premier League in the summer, but no move materialised, much to the delight of Villa fans. At £6.25million he isn’t cheap, and Villa will drive a hard bargain, but he starts with excellent dribbling, crossing, technique, pace and stamina, as well as an ability to play anywhere on the left flank.
 

 

Gaeten Bong – Brighton and Hove Albion
 
Brighton seem to be blessed in the full-back department, as left-sided Gaeten Bong joins right-sided players Liam Rosenior and Bruno on this list. Quick and positionally aware, the Cameroonian international is a decent enough tackler, crosser and decision maker. A solid option.
 

 

Marcus Ollson – Derby County
 
In my mind, Derby got an absolute bargain when they picked up Marcus Olsson from Blackburn for just £250k in the summer. The Swede doesn’t really lack in any attributes, and in fact excels in a number of areas. A great option for most Premier League clubs looking for someone to come in on the left side of defence, expect Derby to drive a hard bargain.
 

 

Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
 
If you’re looking to the future, look no further than Ryan Sessegnon at Fulham. Valued at £3.3million at just 16 years of age, the youngster is very quick, with great technique and stamina. His strength and positioning need some work, but with the right combination of training and first-team exposure, he could be a very exciting player indeed. Buy now, reap the rewards later.
 

 

Charlie Taylor – Leeds United
 
Charlie Taylor has been a player with potential for a few seasons now, but 2017 seems to be the game where you can buy him and play him straight away. Excellent in the tackle and crossing the ball, with good stamina to go along with it, a number of his other attributes develop quickly with the right training. On a low-wage contract with only one year remaining at Leeds, try to snap him up before someone else does - £4.1million may just prove to be a steal.
 

 

Greg Cunningham – Preston North End
 
Irish international Greg Cunningham is a somewhat underrated left-back. Joining Preston in the summer from Bristol City (meaning he may be a little hard to sign), he’s in the prime of his career at 28. Good at crossing, passing, tackling, pace, stamina and decision make him a higher than average player.
 

 

Silvio – Wolverhampton Wanderers
 
Listed as one of Wolves’ star players, don’t expect to pick up Silvio on the cheap. Once bought by Atletico Madrid for £7million pounds, he has spent most of the last few seasons on loan in his native Portugal, before moving to Molineux on a free in the summer. His starting valuation is £3.8million, and the Black Country club is likely to demand much more than that for a player with decent, but not outstanding, stats across the board. One to pick up if you have a lot of budget to spend!
 
Centre Backs:

 

 

Nathan Baker – Aston Villa
 
If you’re looking for a relatively cheap defender who excels in the basics and not much else, then look no further than Nathan Baker. The 25 year old is strong, with good tackling, positional sense and aerial ability, and…that’s about it. His aggression is very high, and his passing and movement are very low, but for £1.9million he can more than do a job.
 

 

Andreas Bjelland – Brentford
 
Don’t expect to get this guy on the cheap. Andreas Bjelland is one of Brentford’s star players, and with his stats it isn’t difficult to see why – scores of 15 or above in tackling, positioning, strength, leadership and decisions make him a very good defender indeed. The Danish international missed most of last season with a knee injury, and is now making up for lost time.
 

 

Uwe Hunemeier – Brighton and Hove Albion
 
The Brighton defensive love in this list continues. Brighton picked up the right-footed centre back from the German second division in the summer, and it looks like they got a steal. Good in the air, tackling and with his positioning, at 30 years old he still has a few years in the tank.
 

 

Shane Duffy – Brighton and Hove Albion
 
Another Brighton defender, and another who joined the club in the summer. Shane Duffy is an improved version of Nathan Baker above – what he does, he does very well. He’s young (just 24), an Irish international, and good enough in key attributes to make you think seriously about shelling out for him. Just don’t expect Brighton to let him go without a fight.
 

 

Grant Hanley – Newcastle United
 
I’m going to put it out there – Grant Hanley is one of the best defenders in the Championship. Newcastle shelled out a reported £6million to bring him in from Blackburn in the summer, although his value at the start of the game is £3.8million. His only real weaknesses in defensive terms are a lack of movement, and an aggression score of 20 – if you buy him, expect some time missed through suspension!
 

 

Steven Caulker – Queens Park Rangers
 
If you’re looking to buy a star name, then have a look at Steven Caulker. The 24 year old has one England cap (and one goal) to his credit, and spent the latter part of last season on loan at Liverpool. His attributes of note are 16 in both aerial ability and positioning, as well as 15 in strength, but his pace, stamina, teamwork and tackling aren’t far behind. QPR aren’t short of cash and will charge a hefty fee for Caulker, but he might just be worth it.
 

 

Paul McShane – Reading
 
In my mind, Paul McShane falls into the bargain category of this list. The Reading skipper, an Irish international, is worth £2.2million and will give his all for your team. Yes, he’s slow; yes, he lacks movement, yes; he’s highly aggressive, but there’s something about McShane that will make you want to sign him. He’s worth a punt as a back-up, at the very least.
 

 

Danny Batth – Wolverhampton Wanderers

 

If you want to sign a centre-back from the Championship, then I suggest Danny Batth. He starts the game with excellent stats in every category that a centre back needs and some besides. Strong, good in the air, a good tackler, great positioning – I could go on. It’s likely to take quite a lot more than his £4.2million valuation to pry him away from Molineux, but he is most certainly worth it.

I hope you found that fairly comprehensive! Have I missed anyone? Included anyone you wouldn't? Let's discuss.

[BatiGoal]

About 6-7 guys that look really decent. Nice finds.

Shane Duffy looks probably the best of the pack.

[Mollers01]

@BatiGoal thanks, appreciate that. Who else do you like apart from Duffy?

[BatiGoal]

Hanley and Batth are just 2-3 years under their peak age and would be an asset to many starting managers at 'lower' teams.

Mbemba and Iorfa are young and could under the right circumstances become class players.

[Guille]

5 hours ago, Mollers01 said:

 
Centre Backs:

 

 

Nathan Baker – Aston Villa
 
If you’re looking for a relatively cheap defender who excels in the basics and not much else, then look no further than Nathan Baker. The 25 year old is strong, with good tackling, positional sense and aerial ability, and…that’s about it. His aggression is very high, and his passing and movement are very low, but for £1.9million he can more than do a job.
 

These are the type of centre backs I always love to have in my squad!

[Mollers01]

@Guille I assume as a backup rather than as your starter?

[Guille]

29 minutes ago, Mollers01 said:

@Guille I assume as a backup rather than as your starter?

Backup on a top team. Staarter in a lower league.