Best Bournemouth FPL defenders: Hill vs António Silva vs Truffert
AFC Bournemouth have become one of the more interesting defensive-buying decisions ahead of Gameweek 9, when they host Leeds. The key is not simply the clean sheet against Manchester United in GW8; it is that defenders James Hill and António Silva have repeatedly reached the defensive-contribution (DefCon) threshold, giving them a way to score even in less comfortable fixtures.
Fantasy Football Scout's 25 October match notes report 21 eligible defensive actions for Hill in that match, while Silva reached the threshold for the sixth time this season.
Who should be first on your watchlist?
| Player | Price snapshot | Style / FPL appeal | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Hill | £5.5m | Reliable defensive actions with some attacking involvement | Premium price for a non-elite clean-sheet fixture |
| António Silva | £5.0m | Frequent DefCon returns at a slightly lower price | May offer less obvious attacking upside |
| Adrien Truffert | Check live FPL price | More conventional full-back attacking route | Assists are hard to project and can be inconsistent |
The Hill and Silva prices above are from Scout's October reporting. Prices can change overnight: use the current OneFPL price tracker before comparing costs.
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Hill: consistent defending can beat flashy highlights
Hill reached the threshold against Manchester United with 21 defensive actions, a very healthy single-match total. His fifth DefCon return of the season, reported by Scout, is worth far more to medium-term planning than one isolated assist. A player who regularly makes tackles, blocks, clearances and interceptions can collect two extra points without needing an attacking return.
However, paying £5.5m for Hill requires that you believe the overall clean-sheet and minutes outlook justifies the premium over lower-cost defenders. If the extra £0.5m is the difference between two midfield targets, compare the full squad rather than isolating the defensive slot.
Silva: better value for a balanced FPL squad?
Silva had reached the DefCon threshold six times in eight appearances, based on the same match report. The separate DefCon leaderboards support that he has been among the most consistent players at meeting the benchmark. This is a credible floor rather than a guaranteed return in every match.
At the quoted £5.0m he is my preferred value comparison with Hill, assuming both retain expected starts. A defender who consistently gets involved defensively can be particularly useful when you rotate your last starting defensive slot.
What about Truffert?
Truffert has a different upside profile. The preseason Bournemouth squad guide highlights his assists and clean-sheet record in 2025/26. But historical assists should not be projected directly into the next three matches. Check his recent crossing, chance creation, actual minutes and fitness against Hill and Silva before deciding.
GW9–GW13 fixtures and transfer timing
Bournemouth face Leeds at home in GW9, then Ipswich away in GW10 and Nottingham Forest at home in GW11, according to the published Premier League fixture calendar. This is a practical sequence to investigate, but not three guaranteed clean sheets. Their midweek Carabao Cup match against Aston Villa on 28 October is another reason to wait for health and selection news if you can.
| Team-building situation | First player to compare |
|---|---|
| Want DefCon consistency at the lower quoted price | Silva |
| Have extra budget and like the full defensive profile | Hill |
| Chasing attacking assist potential | Truffert, subject to current minutes/role evidence |
| Already own a strong £4.5m defender | Consider saving the free transfer instead |
For league rank impact, prioritise a reliable starting XI and a playable substitute over unnecessary defensive tinkering. Compare all three in Player Lab and check the wider squad effect in Transfer Planner.
Sources: GW8 Bournemouth Scout notes; Scout's Bournemouth season guide; EFL cup schedule.