Defenders
Right Back: Antonio Barragan
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Not a lot of players were signed by the Premier League clubs for this position. Antonio Barragan was one of the few players signed in the league to be the first choice right back and he hasn’t disappointed.
The former Valencia right-back has been a solid acquisition for Aitor Karanka’s men. He has played every minute for Boro this season in the league and has been quite consistent throughout.
With an average of 7 defensive actions per match(tackles, blocks, interceptions), Barragan’s return to the Premier League, a decade after he left Liverpool, has been fruitful.
Centre Back: Shkodran Mustafi
The 24-year-old German international from Valencia arrived at Arsenal after a commendable performance at the Euros. With his fellow German, Per Mertesacker, getting old and Gabriel still very rash, Arsenal’s signing was a masterstroke.
Settling into the team quickly, he has kept Mertesacker and Gabriel out of the team for the most part. One of the first names on the teamsheet now, he has been nothing but rock solid at the back, commanding the line with brute force and physicality. Mustafi seems to be the efficient German in Arsenal’s backline that they have needed all these years.
Bailly’s injury forced him out of the reckoning for a month meaning he cannot be considered in this team, paving the way for the Gunner’s entry.
Centre Back: Joel Matip
Bought for free from Schalke, Joel was considered to be talented but error-prone.
His performances for Liverpool so far have hardly shown any of his negative qualities. Having played 12 matches in the league so far, he has been one of the few standout performers for the Reds at the back.
With 22 interceptions and averaging more than 8 defensive actions every match, Joel Matip forms the centre-back partnership with Mustafi for our team. While Mustafi has arguably been as solid, having an established partner like Koscielny is a luxury that Matip hasn’t been afforded.
Left Back: Marcos Alonso
The Real Madrid youth product was bought for a meagre amount from Fiorentina and has been utilised as a left wing-back for Chelsea for the past couple of months.
After a bright start to the season, his defensive errors were brought to the fore when playing as a left back. However, Conte’s tactical shift to a 3-man defence has helped him as much as any other player in the squad.
Having created 13 chances for the league leaders so far, Alonso’s performances have been crucial in their winning run. The Blues supporters would be hoping that he keeps up such a level throughout the season.
