5 foreign defenders with the best start to the Premier League season (2021-22)

#3 Antonio Rudiger

Rudiger's contract with Premier League side Chelsea runs out next year

Arguably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League right now, Antonio Rudiger is in the form of his life. Rudiger was in and out of the team last season under the management of Frank Lampard but since Thomas Tuchel's arrival, he's full of life.

He's never looked more settled and relaxed in a Chelsea shirt and the ongoing season could help him cement his credentials as one of the best defenders in Europe. Tuchel's back-three system has really helped some of Chelsea's forgotten stars shine and Rudiger too has benefitted.

The German defender has looked sharp with his decision-making and has been an active threat from set-piece situations. He even put one past Hugo Lloris in Chelsea's comfortable 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Rudiger has been dominant on the ball and has helped the Blues play out from the back with little hassle. He was crucial for Chelsea against Liverpool at Anfield when they were reduced to 10 men.

With Thiago Silva approaching the end of his career, Rudiger will be Chelsea's go-to man to keep opposition attacks at bay. Talks are ongoing as the Chelsea faithful wait to see if their club will be successful in tying down the German defender to a new long-term deal.

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#2 Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk made his comeback in the Premier League after nine months

Injuries in football have affected major talents, hampered their development and sometimes stagnated careers at their peak and ushered in decline. So naturally, when Liverpool's priceless asset Virgil van Dijk suffered a season-ending injury in the Merseyside derby last season, the Reds could only pray.

After nine months of being sidelined, the Liverpool captain is back in action and he's as colossal as ever. He's been dominant in the air, he's marshaling the Reds' backline with great intensity and effectiveness and his long balls are still massively impressive.

In the game against Chelsea in the Premier League, Van Dijk had to deal with the threat of Romelu Lukaku. The former was absolutely dominant in that game, making two thumping tackles and wasn't dribbled past in the whole game. His return to the Netherlands national team was also immense.

Jurgen Klopp decided to rest his captain for their Champions League opener against AC Milan in the Champions League. In his absence, the Liverpool backline switched off on two occasions and were punished both times.

This is a crucial season for Liverpool and they would hate to end it without silverware. However, Klopp will have to prioritize Van Dijk's safety if the Reds wish to go deep into the race for the Premier League title.

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#1 Shane Duffy

Duffy has enjoyed a fantastic start with Brighton

It's been a journey of serious highs and lows for Shane Duffy over the past few years but he has shown great resilience and mental strength above all. Duffy endured a tough loan spell at Celtic last year which nearly ruled him unfit for Premier League football.

Since his father's demise in May 2020, the centre-back has felt unsettled in his career and lapses have been common. So when the Premier League season began, Duffy was not among the mainstays at Brighton and Hove Albion. Five games into the league, he has deservedly turned the scenario around.

He was as solid as a rock against a physical and intense Burnley side at Turf Moor. The Irishman continued his impressive showing in the following game and also found the net from a header against Watford. He's played the ball from the back quite effectively and has been sturdy in the air.

With Ben White's departure, Duffy has a great opportunity to establish himself as a first-choice centre-back and his strong start will increase Graham Potter's confidence in him. He had his best season in the Premier League back in 2018-19 when he won Brighton's Player of the Season award and maybe this season could be no different.