Defenders prove their worth

Much of the talk surrounding the Premier League fantasy game this season has focused on the return to form of the strikers, and how attacking players in general have provided the real value.

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Jorg Butt is a bargain signing

It's been a whole different ball game in the Champions League, with defenders ruling the roost. In fact, had it not been for last Tuesday's goal glut - 31 goals and not a single clean sheet - defenders and goalkeepers would be further in front.

For perhaps the first time ever, the current Squad of the Tournament is filled with six defenders due to their superiority. That means there are just two strikers in the squad.

Does this mean it's time to switch tactics and load up on defenders? Perhaps, as the top clubs have always been strong in this respect over the course of the group stage.

GOALKEEPERS

Chelsea's Petr Cech and Jorg Butt of Bayern Munich are clear at the top with 21 points each. Cech has kept three clean sheets out of three, while Butt has two clean sheets and is joint top by virtue of number of saves made.

Bayern may look a more viable option as they have two home games coming up against Bordeaux and Maccabi Haifa, while Chelsea must travel to Atletico Madrid and FC Porto.

At £3.5 million, Butt is an absolute bargain too. With Michael Rensing installed in the game as Bayern's most expensive goalkeeper there is obvious scope to cash in on the current number one choice. Consider that Cech is double the cost of Butt and there is surely only one course of action in the transfer market.

DEFENDERS

With Chelsea having kept a full house of clean sheets it's no surprise that they also have two defenders in the squad. Ashley Cole and John Terry slot in, though it has to be remembered they, like Cech, are among the most expensive players for their position.

Goalscoring defenders are the key to success this season, with almost all of the top defenders having found the back of the net.

The value defender at the moment happens to be Michael Ciani of Bordeaux, priced at just £4.5 million, who is second on 21 points. Though the French champions have kept just one clean sheet so far, Ciani netted against Maccabi Haifa and Bayern Munich. And he's still in the squad despite also scoring an own goal against Bayern.

The top scoring defender is Sebastien Squillaci of Sevilla, largely due to the two goals he bagged against VFB Stuttgart last week. With two home games to come you'd think that Squillaci should be top of any transfer wish-list, but Sevilla are virtually assured of a place in the knock-out stages which means they are likely to be resting players for the final two gameweeks.

Former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is also a great price at £5 million. With both Real Madrid and AC Milan in their group few considered that Marseille defenders would be worth investing in. The French club have just the one clean sheet but Heinze has already scored twice in this season's competition - surely that won't happen again.

The final defender is Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus, who takes his place despite not featuring in the first group match. Like most of defenders in this Champions League squad, Chiellini pushes himself into contention thanks to scoring a goal, against Maccabi Haifa.

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Miralem Pjanic: Lyon's star performer

MIDFIELDERS

It's starting to get a little predictable but, yes, Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scoring player, with 29 points. Just as he is in the La Liga game. And just as he was last season in both the Champions League and Premier League.

There is a major issue with Ronaldo, though, as his ankle injury has put him on the sidelines. After scoring four goals in two appearances he looks expensive but worth every penny. But surely it would be foolish to invest in the Portuguese, or even stick with him, until he is fit once again? Having a £12.5 million player unable to do anything but sit on your bench is not going to prove a successful tactic.

Second in the list of midfielders is Miralem Pjanic on 22 points, who has emerged as Juninho's successor as playmaker-in-chief at Lyon. With two goals and two assists, the Bosnian has been superb in the game. And with two home games still left he is sure to rise in popularity, especially with Lyon also looking certain to progress. There is a second Lyon midfielder in the squad, though Kim Kallstom only just sneaks in on 16 points.

The cheapest midfielder in the squad is Alan Dzagoev of CSKA Moscow. He scored in both of the Russian side's opening games but with CSKA to visit Manchester United next week it may be advisable to wait a week before investing. Plus, remember that CSKA have only one home game left.

Completing the midfield is Thomas Muller of Bayern Munich. Muller has broken through into the Bayern team this season and though he has been playing in a forward role he is still classed as a midfielder in our game. It essentially means you are getting two free points every time a goal is scored, and Muller already has two to his name.

STRIKERS

Only two strikers in the squad at this stage, the first of which is Luis Fabiano, with the Sevilla striker scoring two goals and also picking up three assists. Again, much like Squillaci, there is the danger he will be rested for the final group games.

Fabiano has 20 points, but no other striker has scored more than 16 points. There are four strikers on this total, but it's Fiorentina's Adrian Mutu who is named in the squad to fit into the £100 million budget. Mutu's inclusion is based purely on his last performance, scoring two goals and also getting an assist.