Creating the strongest defensive back-line in world football right now

Centre Back - Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)

Manchester City's Laporte launches into a tackle

Basque origin Aymeric Laporte's rise has been phenomenal. He was brought through at Athletic Bilbao and played for the senior team and the reserve sides. He was a constant fixture in Bilbao's first team from 2012 to his departure in 2018. There is no controversy in this choice for two reasons. Laporte slots in at the left side of the defence. His reputation for solidity and concentration is brilliant and his positional sense and vision prompted Manchester City to trigger his £57 million release clause.

The Frenchman has played 48 times for the Citizens and is universally acknowledged as their best defender. He has a tackle success rate of 52% across his time at City. He even managed 3 assists last season earmarking him as a defender with great vision and skill. Laporte's recent injury has highlighted how much he influenced Man City's side and that is the biggest compliment anyone can give. Pep Guardiola has been effusive in his praise and his presence in our backline alone would make it formidable to negotiate.