This week’s Premier League waiver wire could be the perfect solution for teams needing some defensive ballast. With very few under-owned attacking players making an impact this week, it’s worth taking a look at the deeper positions. Defenders so far have proven to be a consistent source of fantasy points with players like Mendy and Alonso single-handedly winning game weeks for some managers. It is unlikely to find the next Mendy on the wire but maybe a diet Mendy? As usual for the Premier League waiver wire column we’ll be looking at players with 65% or less ownership:
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Premier League: Draft Waiver Wire Week 3
1. Joao Moutinho – Midfielder – Wolves – 65% Owned
Who could have seen the Portugal national team (minus Ronaldo) getting a draw with City? Wolves played brilliantly to get a point on Saturday and had chances to take all three. Moutinho almost made the Premier League waiver wire column last week, but the light blue of City scared me off. Wolves showed some improved cohesion against City possibly pointing to progressive improvements as the season goes on. The schedule gets a little easier for wolves in the next few games with even a game against United not being as imposing as it once was. Moutinho should be a premium pick up on Premier League waiver wires this week and has potential to return top 20 midfielder points for the rest of the season.
2. Danny Rose – Defender – Tottenham – 31% Owned
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. It wasn’t exactly a sweet return to starting action for Rose after the World Cup. Rose nicely put Lukaku through on goal with a terrible back pass before trying to assist Lingard later on. He was out of sorts with Pocchetino’s system this week but is objectively one of the more talented Spurs defenders. His versatility at the back should also help his chances at getting regular playing time. I wouldn’t expect Rose to be available on many Premier League waiver wires next week so grab him early. He will be a must-start if he finds anything near his form of 2016-17.
3. Kurt Zouma – Defender – Everton – 10% Owned
With Chelsea’s schedule improving, Zouma… wait what, he’s at Everton, when did that happen? Yes, Zouma is on loan with the Toffees for the 2018-19 season. With Michael Keane‘s horrible fractured skull injury at the end of Sunday’s game, Zouma will likely be seeing significant game time for the next two to three weeks. Zouma was always ok at Chelsea although he perhaps never became the defender he was touted to be. He might be a fill in for a couple of weeks, but matchups with Huddersfield and West Ham look pretty tasty. Zouma isn’t a priority Premier League waiver wire pick up but could be an excellent short-term solution.
4. Ben Chilwell – Defender – Leicester – 59% Owned
Chilwell has played 90 minutes in every game so far this season. Now that it seems he has fully surpassed Fuchs as the starting option Chilwell is getting decent returns at Leicester. The foxes aren’t expected to be excellent this season, but they look stable enough and should see their fair share of clean sheets as the season progresses. Chilwell was getting into dangerous attacking positions on Saturday and could have scored late in the second half. If Chilwell had converted, he would likely be a top Premier League waiver wire pick up this week. He has a tough matchup against Liverpool this week but an excellent schedule afterward. Chilwell will likely be a matchup-dependent player for the rest of the season.
5. Bernd Leno – Goalkeeper -Arsenal – 40% Owned
Arsenal’s 22 million pound summer signing is yet to feature for the Gunners this season. With the Arsenal team being all over the place, one position not seeing any rotation is between the posts with Cech starting every game. Cech hasn’t adapted brilliantly to Emery’s system, but that hasn’t stopped the new manager starting him every week. Despite this, some of Leno‘s teammates have advocated for him getting a chance, and it is expected to be a matter of time before the 26-year-old German takes the starting job. Fantasy Premier league waiver wires will likely explode when Leno finally does start. Call it a feeling, but I can see Leno getting his chance sooner rather than later.
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