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The Bundesliga has some of the most exciting attackers, producing highly-entertaining matches all year round. But football matches are not just about scoring goals, for it takes defending the lead to win the games.
Naturally, the Bundesliga has no shortage of defensive talent, which makes all the battles quite enticing.
For the most part, defenders in the Bundesliga characterize the same abilities and attributes as defenders in any other league. However, Bundesliga defenders exhibit natural quickness and fleet-footedness to tackle the adversities of extremely pacy attackers.
The Bundesliga has great defenders, with a few being better than the rest in 2021
These defenders have performed the duties assigned by their respective Bundesliga clubs with perfection. They have even chipped in with important goals and assists when required to help out their teams.
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The next five names have been better in certain aspects over the rest and are the best five defenders of the Bundesliga in 2021.
#5 Ramy Bensebaini
Ramy Bensebaini has been a relatively new entrant to the Bundesliga, but he has impressed all in the two-and-a-half years he has spent in Germany. The Algerian left-back started his journey in Algeria before switching to Europe.
He has been a consistent performer wherever he has played, but Bensebaini has been superb for Borussia Monchengladbach. The offensive wing-back is well-known for his technical skills and pacy runs along the left channel. He is also adept at utilizing dead ball situations.
2021 has been a great year for Bensebaini, and he thrived immensely under Marco Rose in the first half of the year. Bensebaini has one of the highest numbers of goals among defenders across all major competitions in Europe, and he has made nine goal involvement in 2021, eight of which were scored by him.
#4 Konstantinos Mavropanos
Greek centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos made a sensational debut for Arsenal and many fans had high expectations. However, inconsistencies and injuries had hindered his development which led to Arsenal sending him on loan.
In 2021, Mavropanos spent the first half in Bundesliga club Nurnberg and is now playing in the same league as VFB Stuttgart.
Stuttgart have been poor defensively, but Mavropanos has been better than the rest, often fighting a lone battle. While the below-average quality of the sides hasn't helped his case, Mavropanos has found some form in 2021 with 34 appearances.
Interestingly, Mavropanos has chipped in with five goals and one assist as well.
#3 Raphael Guerreiro
Raphael Guerreiro has been a standout performer in the Bundesliga over the last few years, and the Portuguese left-back has built a strong profile for himself. Known for his speed and energy, Guerreiro can play in several spots on the left side, but his most natural position is the left-back position. He uses his pace to move up the pitch and track back to help protect the defense.
Guerreiro has spent more than five seasons at Borussia Dortmund and has been one of the side's most consistent performers.
The end of 2021 has been hard for the Portuguese as he has been on the receiving end of some injuries. But Guerreiro was easily one of the best defenders for the larger part of the year. His offensive output of 13 goal involvement, with seven goals, is second-best in the Bundesliga in 2021.
#2 Borna Sosa
Croatian wing-back Borna Sosa has been a revelation at VFB Stuttgart. The offensive left-back was one of the big reasons why Stuttgart made a swift return to the Bundesliga and secured an unexpected 9th position on the table in 2021.
Sosa is still young and developing, but his excellent ability on the ball combined with pace and creativity has earned him some suitors across Europe.
Sosa's ability to move up the pitch and contribute to the attack is one of his stronger suits. The result of that ability is quite evident as Sosa has made 15 goals involvement in just 33 appearances, the most by any defender in the Bundesliga in 2021.
Stuttgart may be underperforming this year, but Sosa still carries on with his form.
#1 Dayot Upamecano
There have been some excellent centre-backs in the Bundesliga in the current calendar year. However, Dayot Upamecano has not only been one of the best youngsters in the league, but he has also made the swift jump to Bavarian giants Bayern Munich.
When one watches his performances in 2021, it becomes quite clear why Bayern were not hesitant to trigger Upamecano's release clause. This is also why so many clubs on the continent coveted the Frenchman.
Upamecano is extremely mobile as a centre-back, and he uses his pace to make an increasing number of ball recoveries. At Bayern, Upamecano has shown the more offensive side of his game.
With six goal involvement, strong displays of great defensive strength and command at the back, Upamecano is the best defender of 2021 in the Bundesliga.
