Question 1

Who has the stronger DEFCON rate: Tonali or Tanaka?

Accepted Answer

Barely anything in it. Tonali averages 10.06 defensive contribution actions per 90 and Tanaka averages 9.86 - a gap of 0.20 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 Tonali and Tanaka compare?

Accepted Answer

Tonali has logged 44 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles across 787 minutes (5.0 per 90). Tanaka has logged 36 across 557 minutes (5.8 per 90). Tonali earned the +2pt DEFCON bonus in 3 of 9 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

Tonali is away at Leeds (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 Tonali 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.

Sandro Tonali vs Tanaka DEFCON: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10

Sandro Tonali vs Tanaka: DEFCON Analysis

Tonali vs Tanaka Gameweek 10

Tonali has the DEFCON edge but costs £0.4m more than Tanaka. Where should the money go?