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The 2020-21 edition of the Premier League has finally come to an end with Manchester City being crowned champions of the land.
It was a rather strange campaign as it was the first full season without fans being allowed into the stadiums apart from the odd game or two. Despite the lack of supporters, there was an immense amount of drama and magical moments, along with a catalog of incredible goals.
While some teams relied upon their incredible attacking prowess, others opted for a more pragmatic approach. Manchester City, however, didn't settle for either as they were the best team in the land both offensively and defensively. Pep Guardiola's side conceded 32 goals this season and scored a staggering 83.
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Manchester City had the best defence in the Premier League
The Cityzens dethroned former champions Liverpool, who were arguably the most unfortunate side in the 2020-21 English season due to injuries. The Reds saw their star defender Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip effectively being ruled out of the season.
Manchester City, on the other hand, had a plethora of defenders to call upon, including the likes of John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, and Ruben Dias.
This season has proven once again that while attackers might be the ones to steal the show time and again, having a rock solid defence is of invaluable importance. On that note, we take a look at ten of the best defenders in the Premier League during the 2020-21 season.
#10 Ezri Konsa | Aston Villa
Aston Villa have generally been one of the more impressive sides in the Premier League this season, and Ezri Konsa has been the bedrock of their backline. The English defender has been one of the most impressive Villa stars, and he's been solid as a rock for them, protecting his goal from incoming attacks.
Konsa formed an excellent partnership with Tyrone Mings at the back, and the duo have helped Villa maintain the third-best defensive record outside the top four. He averages 4.4 clearances per game and puts his body on the line time and again.
Konsa would feel hard done by for not being called up by Gareth Southgate's England squad as it would have been the perfect way to end a great campaign. Nonetheless, he's had a great season for the Villans.
#9 Vladimir Coufal | West Ham United
Vladimir Coufal, much like his Czech Republic and former Slavia Prague teammate Tomas Soucek, has proven to be an excellent purchase. The West Ham United man has been one of the most consistent right-backs in the Premier League. He's performed very well at both ends of the pitch and provided a sense of solidity to the Hammers.
Coufal has racked up 102 crosses this season, a number only bettered by three full-backs in the league, with 23 of them into the penalty area. He's also made 74 blocks, one of the highest tallies among full-backs.
Coufal also had the joint-second highest number of assists (seven) among defenders, only behind his teammate Aaron Cresswell's eight. His transfer is further proof of West Ham's ever-improving scouting department and transfer decisions.
#8 Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had an interesting campaign, to say the least. The 22-year-old began the season as a Premier League winner and one of the best in the world. However, things quickly went south as his defensive shortcomings became the topic of much debate, which led to Southgate dropping him from the national team squad.
After a turbulent first half, Alexander-Arnold found his form once again and bounced back like the true champion he is. He put in one faultless display after another and was arguably Liverpool's most influential player in their late push for a top-four spot.
He topped the charts for passes into the penalty area (101), progressive passes (278), progressive pass distance (19500 yards), and crosses (182) in the league. Alexander-Arnold ended the season with seven assists, the joint-second highest by a defender.
#7 Stuart Dallas | Leeds United
It might be strange to see a defender from a team that conceded a staggering 52 goals in 38 games this season on this list. However, Stuart Dallas is no ordinary defender. Marcelo Bielsa's on-field general and Leeds' Player of the Year is one of the most intriguing players in the Premier League, to say the very least.
Although he's a full-back by trade, Dallas has played nearly all across the pitch for Leeds. Be it in right midfield or left-back, in central midfield or in central defence, he has filled in everywhere for the legendary Argentine coach. It doesn't matter where he plays for Bielsa's side because, in truth, he's been excellent irrespective of his position on the pitch.
His contribution to an exciting Leeds side has been phenomenal. While he may not steal the show like other players on this list, he's definitely had a brilliant debut campaign in the Premier League. Dallas is Leeds second-highest scorer with eight league goals and has two assists to his name.
#6 Joao Cancelo | Manchester City
Playing on both the left and right side of defence, Joao Cancelo has had a phenomenal campaign for Manchester City. The Portuguese has played a huge role for Pep Guardiola's side this season and has played as an inverted full-back, tucking into midfield.
Cancelo has effectively served as an auxiliary playmaker, adding an extra body in midfield. This role has helped magnify Cancelo's unique skill set, highlighting his close control, passing range and positional awareness. It has also greatly benefitted Guardiola's men, helping them gain more control of proceedings in the middle of the park.
No defender has played more through balls than Cancelo's ten this season, and only Alexander-Arnold played more passes into the penalty area (69). After an underwhelming debut campaign, Cancelo has come of age at the Etihad Stadium.
#5 Wesley Fofana | Leicester City
Wesley Fofana was absolutely immense for a player who played in his first campaign in the Premier League. The French star barely put a foot wrong for the Foxes at the back and has been a colossal figure for Brendan Rodgers' side. He's formed a great partnership with the likes of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu to help solidify Leicester's backline.
Capable of playing as the central (or right-sided) player in a back three or in a four-man defence, the 20-year-old has shown an excellent understanding of the game at such a young age. He's timed his bursts out of defence excellently and has been quick to recover in transitions.
Leicester's scouting unit have unearthed some incredible players in the past. While Fofana might already be a relatively established name, they have reaped the rewards of placing their faith in him. Definitely a player to keep an eye on in the next season.
#4 Harry Maguire | Manchester United
Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire had a turbulent start to the campaign due to a massive off-field controversy. The situation was made worse by the Red Devils' troubles on the pitch as they conceded a staggering 11 goals in their first three games of the Premier League campaign.
However, Maguire and his side turned their fortunes around as they went on to lose just twice after their 6-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in October up until May. The captain finding a great vein of form coincided with their newfound defensive solidity, and his partnership with Luke Shaw on the left has been particularly impressive.
Only two players have registered more progressive carrying distance than Maguire's 6498 yards, while winning the second-highest percentage of his aerial duels (77.6). He's been a rock at the back for Manchester United.
Also read: 10 Best midfielders in the Premier League this season (2020-21)
#3 John Stones | Manchester City
John Stones has enjoyed one of the most significant redemption arcs in the Premier League's recent past. The Englishman couldn't get a game at the Etihad and was on the brink of an exit from the club. His status as one of Manchester City's big-money flops was all but sealed up until he made his return.
Once he found his groove, however, John Stones reminded the Premier League why he was so highly rated in the first place. The Englishman had a superb season at the heart of Manchester City's defence alongside Ruben Dias, complementing the Portuguese brilliantly. His ability to bring the ball out of the back with ease has been one of the most important aspects of Guardiola's defence this season.
Stones won 75.4% of his aerial duels and had a higher pass accuracy (94.3) than anyone in the Premier League this season. City have only conceded 12 goals in the 22 league games he's played in, and he is likely to be in line for a start in the UCL final as well. He's played fewer games than most players on this list, but whenever he has featured, he's simply been majestic.
#2 Luke Shaw | Manchester United
While he might not have had as drastic a redemption arc as his compatriot and rival Stones, Luke Shaw has had a very impressive season in his own way. The full-back's lack of attacking impetus was one of his biggest criticism, and he's now managed to add that to his game. Shaw was arguably the best attack-oriented full-back in the 2020-21 season, and has also been reliable in defence.
The 26-year-old bombed down the flank tirelessly throughout their league campaign and added a different dimension to their attack. Shaw also formed a great understanding with both Maguire and Marcus Rashford on the left-hand side, working well in tandem with them.
Shaw has had a magnificent campaign and deservedly earned his recall into the England squad. He is likely to be Southgate's first choice at the upcoming UEFA Euro, which would be the crowning moment of his return to form.
#1 Ruben Dias | Manchester City
Who else but Manchester City's warrior at the back was expected to take up the top spot? Ruben Dias has been a phenom in defence for Guardiola's side this season and he's been a transformative signing for them. Apart from having a Virgil van Dijk-esque impact on his side, Dias has also brought the best out of John Stones next to him.
Whether it's in purely defensive terms or on the ball, Dias has been brilliant in every regard. Only Luke Ayling has a higher progressive carrying distance than Dias' 8061 yards, and only Stones has managed a higher pass accuracy than him. Like Stones, he's extremely comfortable on the ball, but he's also a vocal leader and an organiser without it.
Dias added the steel that City needed to compete in the UCL and he's been nearly infallible in the Premier League as well. The champions have only conceded 20 goals in his 32 starts for them in the league.
Guardiola was full of praise for his star defender, and highlighted his ability to organise and be vocal on the pitch. The Catalan explained;
"He’s not just a player who plays good, he’s a player who makes the other guys play good too. It’s 90 minutes talking, 90 minutes communicating, 90 minutes leading, 90 minutes saying what they have to do in every single action."
Dias has been the leader that City craved since Vincent Kompany left the club, and at 23, he can go on to have many more successful years at the Etihad.
Also read: European Team of the Season (2020-21)
