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In modern football, defenders can be one of the best players in the world and luckily for the English Premier League, the best defenders are often playing in it. When you are against top attackers such as Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero or Mohamed Salah, the team will need to have a top defender to be in their way and stop them from scoring.
However, these amazing defenders can cause their own teams problems with potential transfers to bigger clubs such as Real Madrid or PSG. If teams in the premier league do not give their defenders the wages they deserve, then they may have to lose some key defenders and could concede more goals.
This season we have seen world class defending from players who make their teams as good as they are, or deserve to be at a bigger club. Here are the top four defenders so far this season in the Premier League.
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#4 Kieran Trippier
Trippier replaced Kyle Walker since his departure two seasons ago, and he has been great for Tottenham since. He has been an important player for Spurs and also made a big impact for England in the world cup. He has managed five clean sheets for Spurs this season and 44 tackles. He has also managed to score a free kick against Fulham and also made three assists so far this season.
His crossing ability and speed at right back, as well as defending, make him lethal for Spurs.
#3 Harry Maguire
Maguire was also a key player for England in the World cup and managed to score against Sweden in the quarterfinals. Being only 25, he has a bright future for Leicester City if they manage to keep hold of him. He has been linked with moves to Manchester United but Leicester managed to get him to sign a new contract. However, if he keeps defending the way he has this season then big clubs will offer big money for him.
This season, his tackle success rate is over half way and made 125 recoveries for Leicester. His heading is one of the best this season as he made 51 headed clearances and manages a headed goal this season. He scored three goals all together this season and made 951 successful passes. These are the stats that may attract the bigger clubs and Maguire may make a move very soon.
#2 Americ Laporte
Ever since signing to Manchester City last year, he has been a first choice defender for Pep Guardiola and made such an impact for City.
Laporte has made 24 appearances this season and managed 10 clean sheets so far. He is also good at creating chances for Manchester City this season as he made 113 long balls going forward this season as well as the rest of the passes adding up to 2,075 this season. He managed to score a goal this season. Laporte has made such an impact for City that he is probably the best defender at City right now.
#1 Virgil Van Dijk
Van Dijk is probably the best defender not only in the Premier League but in the world. Since being Liverpool's transfer record-breaking sign, he has made the Liverpool defence so much better. He has won the player of the month in December and is probably the first of many.
Liverpool has the most clean-sheets this season and without Van Dijk, this may not be the case. His tackle success rate is 76% and he has made 12 clean sheets. He has also managed to score one goal so far this season.
If Liverpool wins the league, then Virgil Van Dijk is a big reason why.
