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#3 Antonio Rudiger
Chelsea's best centre-back in the Premier League and otherwise. It is quite astonishing that Chelsea have been unable to secure Antonio Rudiger's contract situation. With half of the season gone by the Blues' European competitors Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are eager to sign him.
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The 28-year-old has made 35 appearances this year in the Premier League. In the absence of Virgil van Dijk, he was often spoken of in greater regard. Rudiger's physicality and passion for the game have been crucial to Chelsea's success. He is a great tackler and physically their most competitive player, second only to Romelu Lukaku.
His defensive stats do not stand out from the bunch, but his ball-playing ability and shielding is quite exceptional. The sight of Rudiger starting in the Chelsea box and continuing a marauding run into the other penalty box is becoming more frequent.
The German notched up three goals and two assists in 2021. His ability to play from the back has often helped the Blues launch quick counter attacks in the Premier League.
#2 Joao Cancelo
We saw the best of Joao Cancelo in 2021, things we knew he was capable of and things we never guessed he was packing. He was pivotal to Manchester City's title run last season and this season he's been spot on in their title defense so far.
The Premier League has hardly seen a more verstalite defender than Cancelo. He has nailed both left-back and right-back positions in 2021. Pep Guardiola has utilized his ability to hold the ball and progress it to add to City's possession-based game.
The Portuguese has contributed with three goals and six assists in the Premier League this year. Given how good he has been as a makeshift left-back, there should be no surprises to see him in the conversation for best-left backs as well. He played a great number of passes directly into the final-third which has helped Man City score goals even without a striker.
Cancelo's great number of tackles and interceptions were down to his advanced reading of the game. The best part being that he executes them without error. But that has been his game throughout this calendar year, flawless.
#1 Ruben Dias
A defender getting the player of the season award in the English Premier League is somewhat rare. A defender receiving it in their first year is even rarer. Ruben Dias is the man who accomplished that feat and has definitely been the best defender in the English top-flight this year.
Manchester City have a lot to thank Dias for helping them reach their maiden Champions League final and last season's Premier League triumph. Since the Portuguese arrived, Guardiola's side have become almost impenetrable and even a shaky John Stones has started thriving in his presence.
The intensity of his tackles, the physicality with which he wrestles with strikers in the penalty box and his aerial prowess have all been immaculate. This year alone, Dias has attempted over 4000 passes with a accuracy rate of greater than 90%.
He won the FWA Footballer of the Year award and City's Player of the Year as well. Ruben Dias has been truly world class this year and his name will soon be taken alongside Premier League royalty.
