Mukiele (SUN, Defender, £4.4m)

Verdict: HOLD

Mukiele is a nailed-on budget defender with a decent run of fixtures, making him a solid hold despite recent blanks.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Mukiele is fully available and has been a nailed-on starter for Sunderland, playing 90 minutes in all recent games. There are no injury concerns or news to report.
Recent Performance: With a form of 5.6 and 92 total points, Mukiele has been a consistent performer for his price point. He delivered a strong 11-point haul in Gameweek 19 with a clean sheet and bonus, but has blanked in the last two outings, picking up 3 and 4 points respectively.
Upcoming Fixtures: Sunderland face a favourable run of fixtures with Crystal Palace (H), West Ham (A), and Burnley (H) in the next three. West Ham and Burnley, both rated 2 for difficulty, offer good clean sheet potential for Sunderland's defence.
Underlying Stats: His ICT Index of 71.3, coupled with 8 bonus points this season, indicates he's involved in the play and can pick up extra points. While his attacking returns (1 goal, 2 assists) aren't prolific, his influence (439.4) and defensive contributions suggest he's a key part of Sunderland's backline.

Risks

While Mukiele is nailed, Sunderland's defensive consistency can be a concern, having conceded in four of their last five games. His attacking threat isn't high, meaning his points are heavily reliant on clean sheets.

Alternative Options

For a similar price, consider someone like Branthwaite (£4.5m) from Everton, who has also shown good form and has decent fixtures, or a slightly more expensive option like Gusto (£4.2m) if he can nail down a starting spot at Chelsea.

The Strategic Play

Mukiele remains a strong budget enabler. If you own him, hold for the upcoming favourable fixtures. If you're looking for a cheap defender, he's a viable option, but be aware that his ceiling is primarily tied to clean sheets.

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