Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Charles or Xhaka?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Charles averages 11.62 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Xhaka averages 10.78 - a gap of 0.84 that is inside the natural noise of any per-90 metric. On the workload alone this is a coin toss and the decision should rest on fixture, price and attacking output rather than DEFCON.

Question 2

How do the raw defensive workloads of Charles and Xhaka compare?

Accepted Answer

Charles has logged 42 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 643 minutes (5.9 per 90). Xhaka has logged 41 across 810 minutes (4.6 per 90). Charles earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 2 of 9 appearances this season; Xhaka earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 9 appearances this season. Higher raw counts reflect a higher defensive workload; higher per-90 rates reflect efficiency at sustaining that workload.

Question 3

Does the Gameweek 10 fixture change the DEFCON case?

Accepted Answer

Charles is at home to Newcastle (FDR 3) and Xhaka is at home to Chelsea (FDR 4) in Gameweek 10. DEFCON output is action-based rather than result-based, so a tough fixture does not shrink the base rate the way it might reduce a clean sheet probability. That said, both players are more likely to see defensive volume in tougher matches - the DEFCON case can actually be marginally stronger against stronger opposition.

Question 4

Which midfielder should I pick for Gameweek 10 on DEFCON grounds?

Accepted Answer

The DEFCON workloads are too close to call. Both Charles and Xhaka deliver similar defensive contribution rates, so the pick should come down to price, fixtures and attacking output rather than DEFCON. On the defensive contributions alone this is a genuine coin toss.

Shea Charles vs Granit Xhaka DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Shea Charles vs Granit Xhaka: DEFCON Analysis

Charles vs Xhaka Gameweek 10

Charles has the better DEFCON rate and is £0.4m cheaper - is it a no-brainer for your squad?