Tottenham defenders quick out Dream Team's blocks but are clean sheets sustainable under Ange-ball? | The Sun

JUST six defenders have 20+ Dream Team points to their name right now.

And three of them play for Tottenham: Micky van de Ven (£3.1m), Destiny Udogie (£2.6m) and Cristian Romero (£3.7m).

On a similar theme, Guglielmo Vicario (£3.1m) is currently the only goalkeeper to have breached the 20-point mark, thanks to his second consecutive clean sheet.

Spurs' 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday has established them as the team of choice for gaffers who like to block-pick several defensive assets from the same squad.

Such a tactic would have worked wonders to date with Vicario (20 points), Van de Ven (20), Udogie (20) and Romero (25) combining for 85 points with a Carabao Cup fixture against Fulham still to play before Gameweek 3 concludes.

Dream Team bosses will now be wondering if such returns are sustainable – a worthy question.

The first thing to note is that Ange Postecoglou's side can perhaps count themselves a tad fortunate to have registered two clean sheets in their first three outings.

They've been excellent value for their goals going forward with James Maddison (£4.1m) acting as the centrepiece of a dynamic, entertaining unit but the Greek-born tactician's approach risks conceding more than a fair share of chances.

For example, Manchester United registered 22 shots against Spurs in north London but poor finishing meant the hosts ultimate kept their sheet clean in Gameweek 2.

The stats boffins reckon Spurs have allowed their opponents over five expected goals (xG) this season, meaning their actual tally of two conceded goals is a somewhat fortunate outcome.

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Of course, Vicario's 13 saves have been a factor in his side outperforming the xG figures in this regard but they have relied upon their opponents' wastefulness as well – something that can't be depended upon consistently.

However, while clean sheets are important they are not the only factor to consider when analysing defenders through the lens of Dream Team.

Van de Ven has earned bonus points in every fixture so far while Udogie has been a prominent threat going forward – the 20-year-old provided the assist for Dejan Kulusevski's (£3m) goal against the Cherries.

Spurs' current defensive record may not be sustainable but their attacking output should be and if Udogie – who was substituted late on as a precaution at the weekend – continues his promising start to the campaign then he will tick over with attacking returns.

The former Udinese left-back is excellent value at £2.6m right now.

As for Romero, he has a goal to his name already in 2023/24 and his combative style helped him secure two additional points on Saturday through his tally of five tackles.

However, the World Cup winner's natural aggressiveness can cause headaches for Dream Team bosses.

Even when he's at his best, the Argentine centre-back feels permanently on the cusp of a yellow (or red) card.

Saying that, only Joachim Andersen (£2.9m) has produced more points than Romero among Dream Team defenders this season.

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While the long-term viability of Spurs' defence is still to be decided, there can be little doubt that now is a great time to back Postecoglou's troops.

They face Burnley in Gameweek 4 and then host Sheffield United in Gameweek 5.

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