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Defenders:
Aymeric Laporte ( Manchester City )
Aymeric Laporte was brought to the Etihad for a whooping 57 million by Pep Guardiola, who had pinpointed the Frenchmen as the left-sided centre back they were in need of. Laporte has been ever-present in the City defence and consequently, the Citizens have reaped it's benifits. City have conceded only ten goals and a large part of it can be attributed to Laporte.
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With an impressive 2.1 aerial duels won per game, only 0.8 fouls committed per game and a impressive pass percentage of 92.4 , he is the perfect Guardiola centre back. His ball playing abilities are also on showcase with the Frenchman attempting nearly 5 long balls every game. Usually paired with either John Stones or Vincent Kompany, Laporte has transitioned into the most important cog of City's defence this season.
Virgil Van Dijk ( Liverpool FC )
Along the lines of the previous inductees, Virgil Van Dijk, who was also bought for a hefty price, has walked the talk with his bold performances in the Premier League this season. The Liverpool defender along with Joe Gomez have been virtually unstoppable with Liverpool only conceding seven goals so far in the league.
Van Dijk puts in nearly 2 tackles every game along with 1.1 interceptions per game. This is a testament to the Dutchman's reading of the game, enabling him to be at least a step ahead of the opposition attackers. Very strong, aerially and physically, Van Dijk might just be the best defender in the Premier League right now. No wonder Klopp went all out for him!
David Luiz ( Chelsea FC )
At the end of the 2017-18 season, David Luiz was reportedly on his way out of Chelsea after falling out with Antonio Conte, who was then, the Chelsea manager. Fast forward six months, David Luiz is amongst the first names of the team sheet. How a change in manager and philosophy can change things!
David Luiz owes this to present Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri as the Italian reinstated Luiz citing his ball-playing abilities at the back. Luiz has been brilliant for Chelsea alongside Antonio Rudiger. Apart from recently scoring in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Manchester City, Luiz puts 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game, wins nearly 3 aerial duels per game and has been the no-nonsense type of a centre back with 4.7 clearance per game.
The Brazilian has been rejuvenated by Sarri's arrival and approach and has typified it on the pitch. Another ball playing centre back, David Luiz attempts nearly 6 long balls each game to supplement the aerial prowess of Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud. Maurizio Sarri has used this aspect of Luiz to great extent while transition play from defence to attack instantaneously.
With Chelsea currently in the fight for a Champions League spot, David Luiz's performances at the back hold even greater value in the coming matchweeks.
