Best players in the Premier League: Top 10 centre-backs this season

#2 Aymeric Laporte (France, Manchester City)

Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Premier League

Despite the fact that Pep Guardiola had Otamendi, Stones and Skipper Kompany in the team, it was clear that Laporte was his main man. The Frenchman had 35 appearances in the Premier League this season, 34 of which were starts. Only a muscle injury prevented him from being involved in all of City's games this season.

Laporte is a ball playing centerback, who is a very good reader of the ball. As such, the Frenchman is rarely caught out of position and does not dive into tackles at every opportunity. Laporte has averaged 1.2 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game and has been brilliant at the back for his team. However, he has been most effective with the ball at his feet, where he has been the perfect Guardiola defender.

The Frenchman has averaged almost 86 passes per game in the premier league and has 92.3% pass completion rate. He likes moving the ball to his forward players from the deep; he has registered 173 accurate long balls in the league this season. Perhaps the only improvement opportunity in his game is his tackling, as he has a tackle success rate of only 48%.

Aymeric Laporte has been exceptional for City as they defended the Premier League and is the second best defender in the league this season.