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#3 Cristian Romero (Atalanta)
Serie A has always been known to produce high-quality central defenders and Cristian Romero is definitely one of them. The Argentine centre-back joined Genoa from Belgrano in 2018.
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After two seasons, he signed for Atalanta last season. They finished third and it was the season where Cristian Romero made his mark in Serie A. In a physical league like the Italian league, the Argentine won 112 aerial battles last season. His reading and understanding of the game made him a very composed figure at the back.
With the Atalanta side bound to attack more often than not, Cristian Romero made sure that his team did not concede on a regular basis. He is a threat in set-pieces, which makes him a complete defender. The Argentine currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
#2 Stefan De Vrij (Inter Milan)
Ever since his time with Feyenoord, Stefan de Vrij has been well-known for his defensive capabilities. He has been in Serie A for eight seasons now, first with Lazio and then with Inter Milan.
The Dutchman is quite an underrated defender given how his performances have helped his team. Stefan de Vrij's performance last season played a significant role in helping Inter Milan win Serie A. He is a smart defender with timely tackles and interceptions.
Stefan de Vrij's ball-playing abilities also come in handy when playing out from the back. In the 2021-22 campaign, the Dutch defender played a key role in conceding only 15 goals and keeping Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table with 46 points.
#1 Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
It is surprising how Kalidou Koulibaly is still playing for Napoli and not for one of the top European clubs. The Senegalese centre-back is arguably one of the best defenders in Serie A right now.
With his aggression, effective tackling and aerial abilities, Koulibaly has a very dominant presence at the back. His tackling against dribbling players has been a delight to watch. In the 2021-22 season, he has won 18 tackles, out of which 16 have come on the defensive third of the pitch.
Koulibaly's aerial abilities help him become a big threat in set-pieces. He has already scored twice this season in 14 Serie A appearances. We might soon see the Senegalese defender join a new club given his impressive performances in 2021.
