2018-19: Top 5 centre-backs in Europe

#3 Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)

Defensive talisman Koulibaly has been crucial for Napoli.

Koulibaly proved this season that the heights he achieved in the year 2017-18 were not temporary. Undoubtedly, he was the best player in his position in Seria A in the 2018-19 campaign. He is an expert at wrestling the ball away from the opposition.

Koulibaly is also an excellent passer of the ball but still needs to improve his discipline. He earned 10 yellow cards and also a red card in 35 league games. He was dribbled past only 0.5 times per game and made 1.7 tackles per game in Seria A. In terms of ball distribution, his success percentage stands at 88.7% in Seria A.

He is widely assumed for a move away from San Paolo Stadium but Aurelio De Laurentiis is understood to be reluctant in selling his prime defender this summer.

---

#2 Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)

Ajax skipper de Ligt is all shades of masterful in defence.

You don't often see a 19-year-old kid this high on the list, but this has been a sumptuous season for the young Ajax skipper. de Ligt was not only a commanding figure for his fellow defenders, but also for his whole team. His leadership and masterful defending aided his side to win the league title as well as KNVB Beker Cup.

In 33 Eredivisie games, he scored three goals and assisted once. He made 1.5 tackles per game and 1.4 interceptions per game in Champions League where they were knocked out by Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final. de Ligt is considered to be one of the most debated players when we talk about the transfer window this summer as many big clubs sniff for his signature.