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Center-backs form the heart of the defensive lines in football. They are usually the strongest players on the pitch but their role also requires them to be good at reading the game.
As football has evolved over the years, so has the role of central defenders in the game. Managers nowadays encourage their central defenders to be their first source of attack. Long balls into the final third or a splitting pass into midfield are a part of many teams' strategy.
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Ball-playing center-backs in high demand at the moment
Center-backs that are good with the ball add another dynamic to the game. A lot of teams prefer to build their game from the back nowadays. Hence, having an accurate passer of the ball in the defensive third helps out here.
It is no wonder that central defenders post some of the highest pass conversion rates across Europe's top five leagues at the moment. Subtle tackles, interceptions and clearances made by these players are easy to overlook in a fast-paced game.
Defenders usually taking a back seat in the age of attacking football. However, here we take a look at the five most underrated center-backs of the 21st century.
#5 Joel Matip
Liverpool have one of the best center-backs in the world in their ranks in Virgil van Dijk. But we are not talking about the Dutch defender here. Joel Matip, a player Jurgen Klopp signed for free in 2016 from Schalke 04 has enjoyed a good run with the Reds.
The German-born Cameroonian began his career with Schalke winning the DFB Pokal and the DFL Supercup with the club in 2011. His aerial prowess also made him a good threat from set-pieces as he scored three goals in five of his seven seasons with his boyhood club.
While he might've struggled to start regularly in the Premier League for Liverpool, he has paired up well with Van Dijk in recent seasons. He provides a good option from the bench for squad rotation and has delivered top-notch performances whenever called upon by Klopp.
#4 Ivan Cordoba
Ivan Cordoba was one of the finest defenders in South America during the first decade of the 21st century. The Colombian center-back joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2000 from San Lorenzo and spent 12 seasons with the Serie A giants.
While he did not feature regularly during the 2009-10 campaign, he still managed to be a part of the team that won the continetal treble that season.
He scored his final goal for the Colombian national team in the final of the Copa America 2001 against Mexico. Alongside Marco Materazzi, he formed one of the best central defensive partnerships in Italy in the first decade of the century.
#3 Daniel Van Buyten
Daniel Van Buyten is one of the few Belgian footballers who made a name for himself before their so-called golden generation came to the fore. The 6ft 6in center-back was an imposing figure on the pitch and dominated aerial duels.
He enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with Bayern Munich. He became the first Belgian international to lift the Champions League trophy in the 2012-13 season. While injuries prevented him from starting regularly for the club, he managed to give his all when he was fully fit.
He is one of the highest-scoring defenders of the 21st century, finding the back of the net 39 times across all competitions in club games.
#2 Diego Godin
Atletico Madrid became a force to be reckoned with under manager Diego Simeone in the last decade. They boasted a talented group of players who worked well together, though many enjoyed their underrated status, including Diego Godin.
Like Juanfran, Godin was also overlooked in the discussions of the best defenders in the Spanish top-flight a few years ago. Though he is well respected and a well-known figure now.
He was a key player in Madrid's title-winning 2013-14 campaign. He scored a header in the final match of the season against Barcelona as the team lifted its first trophy in 18 years.
He joined Atletico Mineiro on a one-year deal in January. Unless he returns to Europe, he will remain one of the best defenders ever to have not won the UEFA Champions League.
#1 Kolo Toure
Very few players can claim to have played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, three of the biggest clubs in the English top-flight.
Ivorian center-back Kolo Toure regularly started in Arsenal's unbeaten run in the 2003-04 season and formed a great partnership with Sol Campbell.
Campbell was showered with praise for his performances that season while Toure was regularly overlooked. He left the London club in 2009 to join Manchester City. He won the league title and Community Shield with the Cityzens and after four seasons joined Liverpool.
He was a key player in Ivory Coast's 2015 AFCON winning run and was included in the team of the competition.
