'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Defence
CB: Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus)
It is, sometimes, hard to imagine that Matthijs de Ligt is only 20 - that's how long he's been playing at the top level. He made his Netherlands debut at just 17, and was made Ajax captain at 18.
Trending
His performances at the back, and a few crucial goals, were instrumental in the club's run to the Champions League semifinal this year. It also earned him a massive €75 million move to Juventus.
He's not completely adapted to the Italian top-flight yet, but still has a lot of time to do so. Few players of his age possess the experience that he does, and de Ligt is sure to be a mainstay in Juve's defence for several years to come.
CB: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
One of the major reasons for Tottenham Hotspur's success under Mauricio Pochettino, Toby Alderweireld has been the defensive backbone of the club ever since he arrived from Atletico Madrid.
The Belgian international has consistently been one of the Premier League's best centre backs for the past 5 to 6 years. Tottenham managed to sign him for a paltry £11.5 million from Atletico once his loan spell at Southampton ended, a fee that he's repaid ten times over.
He's still searching for silverware with the North Londoners though, and came very close when he reached the Champions League final last year (defeating his old club en route). Under Jose Mourinho though, that could change.
CB: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Another Belgian centre back at Spurs, Jan Vertonghen broke through at Ajax thanks to his versatility under Frank de Boer, leading them to an Eredivisie title as captain in 2012.
Understandably, that attracted the attention of several European giants, and he joined Tottenham for €12 million. The Belgian pairing of Vertonghen and Alderweireld has become a familiar sight for fans now, and he's still going strong in spite of the arrivals of Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez.
He also has 118 caps for Belgium. At the age of 32, he's one of Tottenham's most experienced stars, and Jose Mourinho is reportedly eager to tie him down to a new contract.
