Trevoh Chalobah has been ruled out with an ankle injury, forcing 17.5% of Fantasy Premier League managers into the transfer market.
The £5.5m Chelsea defender is expected back around 2 May, meaning he will miss key fixtures from Gameweek 31 to Gameweek 35. With five Gameweeks unavailable, this is not a benching scenario — FPL managers need a replacement.
Early transfer data shows a clear trend: Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw is emerging as the most popular Chalobah replacement.
Top FPL managers are prioritising defenders with strong fixtures, attacking threat, and consistent minutes — key factors for maximising returns during the run-in.
| Name | Team | £ | Pts (L5) | CS | DEFCON | Next 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senesi | BOU | 5.1 | 32 | 3 | 52 | MUN, ARS, NEW |
| Hill | BOU | 4.2 | 33 | 3 | 66 | MUN, ARS, NEW |
| Thiaw | NEW | 5.0 | 28 | 1 | 48 | SUN, CRY, BOU |
| Van Hecke | BHA | 4.4 | 29 | 3 | 52 | LIV, BUR, TOT |
| Truffert | BOU | 4.6 | 36 | 3 | 44 | MUN, ARS, NEW |
Thiaw stands out as the best FPL defender replacement for Chalobah.
Despite just one clean sheet in the last five Gameweeks, his attacking threat and strong fixtures — Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth — give him huge upside. At £5.0m, he offers excellent value for managers targeting both clean sheets and attacking returns.
Bournemouth dominate the shortlist with three standout options, reflecting their improved defensive form.
Adrien Truffert leads the way with 36 points in the last five Gameweeks. His attacking involvement makes him one of the most exciting mid-priced defenders in FPL.
Ryan Hill is the budget standout at £4.2m. With strong defensive contributions and attacking involvement, he offers exceptional value for managers looking to free up funds.
Marcos Senesi provides a more secure, slightly pricier route into the Bournemouth defence, combining clean sheet potential with goal threat.
Jan Paul van Hecke offers a steady route into Brighton’s defence at £4.4m.
With three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks and a favourable fixture against Burnley in the next three, he is a reliable option for managers prioritising consistency over explosiveness.
Fixtures: SUN, CRY, BOU
Best all-round option combining fixtures, attacking threat, and value.
Fixtures: MUN, ARS, NEW
High attacking upside with strong recent returns.
Fixtures: MUN, ARS, NEW
Top budget enabler with consistent points and strong defensive metrics.
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