'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2021-22 season across Europe's top five leagues is in full swing now, with teams slowly finding their feet and realizing their potential as to how far they can go. Some sides have been far better and have found the much-needed consistency that others have struggled to find so far.
Chelsea are one side who have been at their best since the new season began and are perched comfortably at the top of the Premier League table. Their defense has had a crucial role to play in it. As a result of which, three players from their backline have found a spot in the five best defenders' list in the world based on ratings.
On that note, here are five defenders from Europe's top five leagues with the best ratings as per WhoScored:
Trending
#5 Marcos Alonso (7.47)
Marcos Alonso has been one of Chelsea's best attacking outlets this season. Playing as a left wing-back in a 3-4-3 employed by Thomas Tuchel, Alonso has been tormenting opposition defenses in the Premier League.
In six Premier League appearances, he has scored a goal and made an assist but that doesn't paint the whole story. Alonso has been highly influential down the left, and has also helped the side keep four clean sheets in the six league matches he has played.
Although he has been benched in favor of Ben Chillwell in the last three league games, he is still the fifth best defender based on WhoScored ratings. He also has 1.8 interceptions per game this season, the joint-best on the list, and 1.2 passes per game - the highest on this list.
#4 Thiago Silva (7.54)
The 37-year-old Thiago Silva is showing no signs of slowing down and is still going strong for the Blues after helping them to the UEFA Champions League title last season.
Known for getting his body on the line, Silva has blocked 1.7 shots per match this season, joint second-highest among all defenders in Europe's top five leagues. He has also blocked one pass per game and won two of the 2.5 aerial duels that he has gotten into on average per match.
Silva is undoubtedly one of the most important players for Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea in their quest to win the Premier League title this season.
#3 Trevoh Chalobah (7.56)
Completing the Chelsea five-four-three is the youngest of the lot, the 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah. The youngster is currently the world's third-best defender based on WhoScored ratings and the best at Stamford Bridge.
Chalobah started off his Premier League journey in fine fashion, scoring a goal in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. He has been brilliant with his tackling, making 2.5 successful tackles per game so far this season, the highest on this list.
Moreover, he has only been dribbled past 0.5 times per match this season, highlighting how tough it has been to beat him. Chalobah is only going to get better with time.
#2 Alphonso Davies (7.63)
The Bayern Munich defender has taken European football by storm since his move from the MLS in 2019. In 95 appearances for the club, the Canadian left-back has scored five goals and provided 16 assists, four of which have come this season alone in the Bundesliga.
While his speed going forward, and while defending, has been a highlight, he's not an easy defender for forwards to tackle either. He has made two successful tackles per match this season and has only been dribbled past 0.8 times on average.
Being a full-back, his pass and cross blocking has been great too. Per match this season, the 20-year-old has blocked 0.9 passes and 0.3 crosses, which collectively make him the second-best defender in the world currently based on WhoScored ratings.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.74)
The 23-year-old Liverpool right-back has been so good going forward that many want him to be used as a wide midfielder, a notion that Jurgen Klopp has dismissed outright.
Alexander-Arnold has worked on his defending, blocking 0.3 shots, passes and crosses per match this season. While his tackling still has scope for improvement, his passing has been immaculate. He has delivered 5.5 accurate long passes per match and 46.7 short ones, the second-most on this list.
Moreover, the England international has made 3.7 key passes per match in the ongoing season, the most by any defender across Europe's top five leagues.
He only has three assists this season to show for, across all competitions, but that could be down to Alexander-Arnold's injury issues. Deservedly, he takes the top spot on this list.
