Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Tielemans or Tanaka?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Tielemans averages 10.41 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Tanaka averages 9.86 - a gap of 0.55 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 Tielemans and Tanaka compare?

Accepted Answer

Tielemans has logged 28 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 588 minutes (4.3 per 90). Tanaka has logged 36 across 557 minutes (5.8 per 90). Tielemans earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 8 appearances this season; Tanaka earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 0 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

Tielemans is at home to Aston Villa (FDR 3) and Tanaka is at home to Spurs (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 Tielemans and Tanaka 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.

Youri Tielemans vs Tanaka DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Youri Tielemans vs Tanaka: DEFCON Analysis

Tielemans vs Tanaka Gameweek 10

Tielemans has the DEFCON edge but costs £0.8m more than Tanaka. Where should the money go?