Radical Fantasy Premier League change could make surprise Everton star key signing
James Tarkowski could be the buy of the summer for Fantasy Premier League fans. Whilst the Everton defender is an adequate addition for most teams, fans are unlikely to make him top of their shopping list. James Tarkowski showed his value in both boxes last season for FPL fansAFP But a new feature ahead of the new season could change the way fans view the Toffees defender. The FPL has opted to include defensive contributions in the upcoming campaign meaning more points and more choice for managers. Therefore blocks, tackles and recoveries are set to become just as key as goals scored and assists as fans start to mull over their picks. Attacking threat has often been the go to for players even when selecting defenders with attack-minded full-backs often the focus of key decision making. A centre-back’s aerial threat when in their opponents box is also a regular discussion point more so than their ability to keep clean sheets. The same can be said for defensive midfielders who often start transitions but seldom find themselves a focal point in the final phase of an attack. But the new season is about to change the landscape of FPL and provide defensive players with their flowers. The defensive contributions feature will now reward defensive players for their involvement in a match in a move to reward defensive actions. And from the 10 players who would have received the most defensive contribution points last season if it had been previously implemented, five were centre-backs while the other half were defensive midfielders. In the upcoming season, any defender who reaches a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a single match will score two FPL points. James Tarkowski showed why he was top of the list for defensive contribution points last season However, defensive contribution points will be capped at two points per match, so if a defender makes 20 CBIT in a match, they would still collect just two points, not four – although they might get further rewards through the Bonus Points System. Everton defender Tarkowski registered 10 defensive contributions in a match against Manchester City last season. The 32-year-old had 18 CBIT against City, but only the first 10 would have counted in FPL. He got his seventh, eighth and ninth defensive contributions in the space of just a few seconds, making a tackle, a clearance and a block. Extra rewards are on their way for midfielders and forwards too including pressing and transitioning defence into attack. In addition to their clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, their “ball recoveries” will also count towards their total of defensive contributions (CBIRT) meaning they will receive extra rewards that defenders won’t be eligible for. Top players for defensive contribution points 24/25 James Tarkowski DEF (Everton) – 44pts Moises Caicedo MID (Chelsea) – 42pts Jan Bednarek DEF (Southampton) – 40pts Dean Huijsen DEF (Bournemouth) – 38pts Murillo DEF (Nottingham Forest) – 38pts Elliot Anderson MID (Nottingham Forest) – 36pts Joao Gomes MID (Wolves) – 36pts Idrissa Gueye MID (Everton) – 36pts Wout Faes DEF (Leicester) – 34pts Christian Norgaard MID (Brentford) – 34pts Moises Caicedo could be another player to keep an eye on in the FPL next seasonGetty What they do with the ball after securing it is factored in when awarding a recovery. The player will often be rewarded for starting a counter-attack, or for securing possession for their team by making the first controlled pass after a moment where the two sides have fought for the ball. However, because midfielders and forwards can benefit from extra recovery actions, they will be required to achieve more defensive contributions in total to earn their two FPL points. They have to get 12 defensive contributions, whereas defenders only need 10. Fans will be able to see which players have earned points while a match is in progress via the match pages of the Fantasy website and app.

James Tarkowski could be the buy of the summer for Fantasy Premier League fans.
Whilst the Everton defender is an adequate addition for most teams, fans are unlikely to make him top of their shopping list.
But a new feature ahead of the new season could change the way fans view the Toffees defender.
The FPL has opted to include defensive contributions in the upcoming campaign meaning more points and more choice for managers.
Therefore blocks, tackles and recoveries are set to become just as key as goals scored and assists as fans start to mull over their picks.
Attacking threat has often been the go to for players even when selecting defenders with attack-minded full-backs often the focus of key decision making.
A centre-back’s aerial threat when in their opponents box is also a regular discussion point more so than their ability to keep clean sheets.
The same can be said for defensive midfielders who often start transitions but seldom find themselves a focal point in the final phase of an attack.
But the new season is about to change the landscape of FPL and provide defensive players with their flowers.
The defensive contributions feature will now reward defensive players for their involvement in a match in a move to reward defensive actions.
And from the 10 players who would have received the most defensive contribution points last season if it had been previously implemented, five were centre-backs while the other half were defensive midfielders.
In the upcoming season, any defender who reaches a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a single match will score two FPL points.
However, defensive contribution points will be capped at two points per match, so if a defender makes 20 CBIT in a match, they would still collect just two points, not four – although they might get further rewards through the Bonus Points System.
Everton defender Tarkowski registered 10 defensive contributions in a match against Manchester City last season.
The 32-year-old had 18 CBIT against City, but only the first 10 would have counted in FPL.
He got his seventh, eighth and ninth defensive contributions in the space of just a few seconds, making a tackle, a clearance and a block.
Extra rewards are on their way for midfielders and forwards too including pressing and transitioning defence into attack.
In addition to their clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, their “ball recoveries” will also count towards their total of defensive contributions (CBIRT) meaning they will receive extra rewards that defenders won’t be eligible for.
Top players for defensive contribution points 24/25
- James Tarkowski DEF (Everton) – 44pts
- Moises Caicedo MID (Chelsea) – 42pts
- Jan Bednarek DEF (Southampton) – 40pts
- Dean Huijsen DEF (Bournemouth) – 38pts
- Murillo DEF (Nottingham Forest) – 38pts
- Elliot Anderson MID (Nottingham Forest) – 36pts
- Joao Gomes MID (Wolves) – 36pts
- Idrissa Gueye MID (Everton) – 36pts
- Wout Faes DEF (Leicester) – 34pts
- Christian Norgaard MID (Brentford) – 34pts

What they do with the ball after securing it is factored in when awarding a recovery.
The player will often be rewarded for starting a counter-attack, or for securing possession for their team by making the first controlled pass after a moment where the two sides have fought for the ball.
However, because midfielders and forwards can benefit from extra recovery actions, they will be required to achieve more defensive contributions in total to earn their two FPL points.
They have to get 12 defensive contributions, whereas defenders only need 10.
Fans will be able to see which players have earned points while a match is in progress via the match pages of the Fantasy website and app.