Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: McAtee or Tielemans?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. McAtee averages 11.34 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Tielemans averages 10.41 - a gap of 0.93 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 McAtee and Tielemans compare?

Accepted Answer

McAtee has logged 39 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 770 minutes (4.6 per 90). Tielemans has logged 28 across 588 minutes (4.3 per 90). McAtee earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 4 of 9 appearances this season; Tielemans earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 8 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

McAtee is at home to Man City (FDR 4) and Tielemans is at home to Aston Villa (FDR 3) 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 McAtee and Tielemans 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.

James McAtee vs Youri Tielemans DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

James McAtee vs Youri Tielemans: DEFCON Analysis

McAtee vs Tielemans Gameweek 10

McAtee has the better DEFCON rate and is £0.2m cheaper - is it a no-brainer for your squad?