Ranking the 10 best defenders in the world

#7 Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)

Bonucci has returned to Juventus this summer

Had this list been written a year ago, there is a good chance that Bonucci would have been in and around the top three spots. However, he moved to AC Milan last summer, a move that didn’t really work out for either party and went so badly that he returned to Juventus this summer.

Bonucci had previously spent seven years with Juventus, during which he was part of a side that won a quite remarkable six Serie A titles. He was part of an experienced set up at the back, which also included Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli. He is a no-nonsense defender, who also has the ability to bring the ball out of defence. Many saw him as a man who could swing the balance of power when he moved to AC Milan last summer, and although that never materialised, it shows how highly people rate him.