'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Despite all their hard work to keep the opponents at bay, defenders, centre-backs in particular, often goes unnoticed in the game of football. They rarely get the credit they deserve and are unsung heroes to the success of a team.
The Premier League’s most successful manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, once claimed: "attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.” Though it may not be completely true in modern day football, it has a fair share of truth to it.
Some of the greatest centre-backs of all time include Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Maldini, Bobby Moore, Franco Baresi, Fabio Cannavaro, Lothar Matthaeus, Ronald Koeman, and Carlos Puyol.
Honourable Mentions: Sergio Ramos, Federico Fazio, Milan Škriniar, Raphael Varane, Diego Godin, and Jan Vertonghen.
Trending
Without much ado, let’s take a look at the 10 best centre-backs in world football this season.
#10 Thiago Silva
The 34-year-old Brazilian international is one of the best centre-backs of the modern era. The PSG star has been in great form this season and the French side has only conceded only 16 goals in the top flight league.
A solid centre-back with no apparent flaws, he is a natural leader on the pitch. A defender with great positional awareness, speed, and calmness under pressure, Thiago Silva is good in the air and reads the game quickly.
#9 Willy Boly
An unknown quality to many but not if you are a fan of Premier League or Wolverhampton Wanderers. In his 28 Premier League starts this season, the 28-year-old averages 2.4 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game. Wolves are only behind the so-called ‘Premier League top six’ in the league standings at the moment.
Only 4 teams in the league have conceded fewer goals than Wolves and Boly deserves a lot of credit. He has been solid at the back for Wolves and also chipped in with three goals.
Also See : Durand Cup, Durand Cup Schedule, Calcutta Football League
#8 Sol Bamba
Some may not agree with his inclusion given that Cardiff City are currently 18th in the Premier League and fighting to stay in the English top-flight football for next season.
However, Sol Bamba has missed just two PL games for Cardiff this season and has been exceptional at the back. He averages 2.6 tackles, 6.3 clearances, 2.9 interceptions per game this season, which are extremely good stats for a defender. Strong as an Ox, Bamba is a strong tackler and no-nonsense defender.
#7 Fabian Schar
Having played just one of the first 10 Premier League games this season, Fabian Schar has improved Newcastle's season ever since he broke into the first team on a consistent basis.
With 2.4 tackles, 2.6 interceptions and 5.9 clearances per game this season, Schar has provided the much-needed stability to Newcastle's defence. He is now one of Rafa Benítez's first names on the team sheet and arguably Newcastle’s best player this season.
#6 Kalidou Koulibaly
The 27-year-old Senegalese international has been one of the best defenders in European football for quite some time.
Playing for Napoli in Serie A, Koulibaly averages more than two tackles per game throughout his professional career. A physically strong defender with great aerial abilities, Koulibaly is also a good passer with an accuracy of almost 89% this season. He is under the radar of top European clubs and could make his move this summer.
#5 Marquinhos
A key player in Tuchel's PSG squad, Marquinhos is becoming one of the elite centre-backs in European football. He is unusually quick for a defender and also possesses exceptional technical skills.
A complete defender, Marquinhos is known for his passing abilities, composure, and anticipation. The Brazilian international averages 2.1 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in Ligue 1 this season. He has also chipped in with 4 goals and an assist this campaign.
#4 Willi Orban
The RasenBallsport Leipzig defender is arguably the best centre-back in Bundesliga this season. RP Leipzig has the best defensive record in Bundesliga this campaign.
They have conceded only 20 goals so far and Orban has played a huge part in that. With two tackles and 5.8 clearances per game, Orban is brilliant in the air and also strong in his tackles. He has also scored four goals in the league so far this season.
#3 Giorgio Chiellini
This man needs no introduction. The Italian international and Juventus legend has been a phenomenal centre-back for more than a decade.
A consistent centre-back who rarely makes mistakes, Chiellini is an aggressive defender with great abilities. He is always a commanding presence at the back and is exceptional with his tackling, positional awareness, and man-marking. He is a kind of player that any manager would love to have in the team.
#2 Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique has been a part of the Barcelona backline for more than 10 years now and is still a key player at the Camp Nou.
The former United star has won numerous titles during his time with the Blaugrana. A defender who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, Pique is what one calls a modern-day defender. Physically strong and good in the air, Pique is also known for his offensive contributions.
#1 Virgil van Dijk
There are no second thoughts about who is the best centre-back in the world at the moment. The former Southampton star is the pillar of the Reds' defence and has been integral to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool resurgence.
A world-class centre-back, van Dijk is regarded a lot for his leadership qualities, ability to read the game, and anticipation. A ball playing defender, van Dijk is brilliant in the air at either end of the pitch.
