Sportskeeda's list of 50 best players playing currently: 10-1

#9 Jerome Boateng

Boateng has become one of the most important players for his club and country

Now to the highest ranked defender on the list, Jerome Boateng is widely regarded as the best centre-half in the world, presently. The 28-year-old relies on movement and spatial awareness rather than core strength or physicality when outwitting an opponent and is an excellent reader of the game generally. These are the traits which have moulded the former-Hamburg and Manchester City man into the most dependable defender in Bavaria.

Boateng has been plagued by, predominantly muscular injuries this campaign, so far, limiting his game time, but he is one of the first names on the team-sheet when available, nonetheless. Last year saw the German have an excellent Euro 2016, in which he averaged six defensive actions per game as well as having completed the second highest number of successful passes at the tournament (392), reiterating once again how he is a ‘footballing defender’, keen to involve himself in as many ways as possible.

Still youthful considering his position on the pitch, Boateng already has four Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League crown to his name and is also a World Cup winner, meaning he scores very highly for success.

With the exception of his poor injury history and an inherent fear of Lionel Messi (let’s face it, is there a defender who doesn’t fear the little Argentine), the Germany international is untouchable, mastering a new defensive style at the heart of one of Europe’s most formidable defences at Bayern.