I'm a bit skeptical on your 5 defender plan mate...
Except TAA, defender's ceilings are no way as high as a MF (or even a striker). Spreading money across the defense also makes attacking transfers much more difficult.
I currently have Cancelo but I may downgrade him to Coufal. But then I don't know what to do with the £1m spare... I can always keep it in the bank...
Well I always like having 5 options to rotate with defenders.
In previous years there have been good gems for cheap. Lundstram was pretty amazing and yes I benched him for his first big haul before I started playing him more regulary. Wan Bissaka I also benched for his first haul, but he was a perfect 4.0 backup guy for Palace and he did amazing job to cover for Benjamin Mendys injury and I got two clean sheets from the bench with him.
Last year I thought Dallas/Ayling, Justin and Vinagre was potentially really good 4.5 options. Had 3 from them and not Dallas.
Vinagre proved to be a disaster and his replacement Lamptey did not really do more than show promise for hauls.
If one cheaper gem comes fourth I will go with them, but I think defenders offer good value if you get the right ones.
We will see which gems we get in midfield and attack.
I think Saka can be one so maybe I should pick him over Smith Rowe? Both potential after 3-4 games to be really good picks.
Bowen/Fornals new signings for West Ham could be great, but maybe risk for rotation.
Raphinha and Harrison could start well.
Welbeck could be a bandwagon with those fixtures for Brighton, but might also get injured when you get him.
Not seeing many 5.5 forwards that will be great, but maybe a nailed Watford striker could be good I guess. They have so many though so I need help with who is nailed from them.
Sarr could be the one too I guess.
Buendia?
So lots of talk here, but it feels tricky to figure out who the bandwagon will be, but getting another 6.5 midfielder over Smith Rowe might help if I want to transfer that guy out.