Could Shane Duffy be an unexpected short-term gem for Dream Team managers?

Shane Duffy (£2.5m) would have been hovering around the bottom of the list in terms of potential Dream Team assets two weeks ago.

The 29-year-old spent most of last season on loan at Celtic with mixed results.

A persistent threat at set-pieces, he scored three goals for the Glasgow club but his general performances were shaky at best.

However, after the departure of Ben White (£2.9m) and some injuries in Brighton’s defensive ranks, Duffy was thrust back into first team action for his parent club at the start of the new campaign.

PLAY DREAM TEAM BIG 5 NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN CASH PRIZES!

gettyAn unexpected hero[/caption]

The Seagulls have started the new term in fine form with back-to-back wins in the league and a comfortable victory for the second-string XI in the Carabao Cup against Cardiff.

And Duffy has been a key contributor, scoring against Watford while also ensuring his side kept a clean sheet.

More than that, he has clutched Star Man awards in both league fixtures to take his Dream Team tally to 25 points!

At the time of writing, he’s the joint-second best defender in the game alongside Reece James (£4.6m) with only Marcos Alonso (£3.3m) ahead of him on 26 points.

Even more impressively, Duffy is the joint-fourth best player overall.

gettyPascal Gross’ delivery plus Duffy’s aerial threat is a potent combination[/caption]

Last season there was a lot of talk about how Brighton should have been a lot better than they were.

They were unfortunate in that statistics relating to expected goals (xG) suggested that opposing teams were much more clinical against them compared to the average but they were also their own worst enemy in front of goal as they squandered far too many chances.

It’s very early days but if Graham Potter’s side have evened out in both regards for 2021/22 then the Amex could be fruitful source of Dream Team points.

In relation to Duffy, he may only be a short-term option as crocked team-mates will return at some point.

But for now he’s receiving praise from his gaffer and may well be worth a punt as the Seagulls face Everton, Brentford, Leicester and Crystal Palace in their next four games.

Truly dedicated Dream Team bosses will remember Duffy scored five league goals in 2018/19 – another headed goal in the near future and he might even become the outright best defender in the game, if even for a fleeting moment.