#6 Ben Gibson
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While his attacking colleagues might be grabbing the headlines for the wrong reasons, in recent times, it is Middlesbrough’s central defender Ben Gibson who continues to garner the positive spotlight owing to his performances at the heart of the Boro defence.
Gibson has been the most important factor in Middlesbrough having a better defensive record than 15 Premier League teams at this stage of the season, having conceded only 22 times.
He is unafraid to put his body on the line for the cause of his side and is positionally sound. While he does not go into tackles as often as some of the other central defenders in the league, his forte as a central defender is his ability to make frequent and often, effective clearances. In the season so far, he has effected a whopping 124 clearances, which is an indication of his ability to read the game and help his side’s defence.
Gibson is equally effective in the air as well as on the ground. At 24 years of age, the defender is definitely enjoying his best season as a professional and should he continue with his glorious performances, we can envisage an England call-up soon.
