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It's been an interesting year for the footballing world, be it attackers, defenders, goalkeepers or football lovers in 2021. The UEFA Champions League produced an intense battle between European heavyweights in the second half of last season. Chelsea eventually triumphed 1-0 in the final over domestic rivals Manchester City.
The Euros and the Copa America also came in in time to give us top-class entertainment in the summer. Italy and Argentina grabbed those titles respectively.
Moving forward, it's been an entertaining start to the 2021-22 campaign, both at continental levels and across the top-rated domestic leagues in the football world. Many players have kept us glued to our screens with their eye-catching displays for club and country from January to December.
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While attackers and midfielders often take the plaudits, no one can deny the fact that defenders have equally impressed us this year. To honor these players, we've decided to compile a list of the top five defenders in 2021. They are as follows:
#5 Marquinhos
Marquinhos being named among the best defenders in world football in 2021 is no fluke. The centre-back has been a rock-solid presence at the heart of the Paris Saint-Germain defense since the beginning of the year. He has put up decent performances for the club as well as his country Brazil.
The 27-year-old followed it up with a scintillating outing with Brazil in the Copa America this summer. Thanks in part to his brilliance, the Selecao conceded just three goals throughout the tournament. However, they ended up on the losing side to Argentina in the final.
Marquinhos has entered the current campaign on the front foot. The defender has made 20 appearances for PSG in all competitions so far, recording three goals and one assist to his name.
#4 David Alaba
The Austrian has surpassed expectations since leaving Bayern Munich to join Real Madrid on a free transfer during the summer transfer window. David Alaba has wasted no time in making his impact felt, quickly establishing himself in the starting lineup at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He has made 37 appearances this year scoring twice. The defender has been the messiah for Los Blancos at the heart of the defense. He has helped them cover the hole left behind following Sergio Ramos's departure. So far, he's made 23 appearances for the Spanish giants across La Liga and the Champions League, bagging two goals and three assists.
He also had a return of two goals and seven assists for Bayern last season. Hence, it becomes easy to understand see why he belongs among the best defenders in 2021.
#3 Ruben Dias
The Manchester City centre-back deserves a lot of praise for his brilliant displays last season. His partnership with John Stones at the heart of the defense was influential in Cityzens winning the Premier League title.
Ruben Dias made 23 appearances for Manchester City across all competitions in 2021. He rewarded Pep Guardiola's faith in him with a string of spectacular displays. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Season.
The Portuguese has carried his spectacular form into the current campaign. He's maintained his spot in the starting line-up, making 24 appearances for the Cityzens across all fronts so far. He also has a record of two goals and three assists to his name.
#2 Reece James
Despite being just 22 years old, Chelsea right-back Reece James has established himself among the finest defenders in the football world. The Englishman was a regular in the Blues' backline last season, making 47 appearances across continental and domestic competitions.
He recorded one goal and one assist to his name. He was highly influential as Thomas Tuchel's men upset the odds to claim the Champions League crown. Reece James has shown no signs of slowing down this season.
The Englishman has already featured in 22 games for Chelsea across the Premier League, Champions League and the EFL Cup. He's found the back of the net five times so far, setting up another six. He certainly deserves a spot among the best defenders in the world in 2021.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold
When it comes to rating the best defenders in the world in 2021, not many players can compare with Liverpool's right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Englishman has been a shining light since the beginning of the year, producing eye-catching displays and reaching new milestones in his career.
TAA had an outing to be proud of last season. He scored twice and set up his teammates nine times in 45 games across all fronts. The defender has entered the current campaign in spectacular fashion, running riot for Liverpool on the right-flank of the defense.
So far, he's recorded two goals and 11 assists in 19 appearances across the Premier League and the Champions League. With so many games still left to be played, only time will tell how many goals and assists he'll end the term with.
