#13 Giorgio Chiellini
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Although Leonardo Bonucci is readily anticipating the chance to spring into Chiellini’s throne as the godfather of Italian defending, the latter remains nonetheless a reliable member of the Old Lady contingent. This season so far Chiellini has averaged 6 defensive actions per game and has won, on average, 59% of duels per game. He’s once again been the bedrock of a side which boasts the best defensive record in Serie A this term, conceding just 14 goals.
Italy’s brief stint as the overachievers at this summer’s Euros was largely down to Chiellini’s rock-solid effort at the heart of the defence and, at 32-years-of-age, it looks far from finished business for the Italian.
Snapped up by Juventus in 2005, Chiellini has seen it all, from the infamous Calciopoli scandal which saw the club relegated to successive Scudettos, of which he now has five. He has also won two Coppa Italias and has finished runner-up in the 2014/15 Champions League and second best in the 2012 Euros with his home nation.
Much like the aforementioned Diego Godin, Chiellini prides himself on perfecting the basics and doing the dirty work first. If the ball presents itself to him inside the six-yard box, he’ll hoof it away without hesitation, rather than try to play the ball out of danger by dribbling or passing short. Chiellini is the perfect blend of the traditional defender with refreshing modern traits, having shown particular defensive prowess by being the heart of a three-man defence for the most part of his career.
