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In a day and age where attackers are often in the spotlight, the past decade has seen a handful of defenders being recognized for their exemplary performances for their respective sides. The role of a modern-day defender has changed in recent seasons, with managers making minor tweaks to their sides to involve their full-backs in both phases of play.
While the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have developed into the finest pair of fullbacks in world football, as they've thrived in Jurgen Klopp's system where they are deployed as the chief creators, Sheffield United's philosophy of overlapping centre-halves is unlike anything we've seen over the years.
In addition to the famous saying, "if we score, we may win but if we don't concede, we cannot lose," Sir Alex Ferguson's iconic quote concerning defenders is the most startling example yet of their importance to a team.
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"Attack wins you games, defence wins you championships."
While it's quite the task to rank defenders based on ability and longevity, we have managed to do so after a lot of deliberation. On that note, here are 10 of the best defenders of the decade (2010-2019).
#10 Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk's inclusion is controversial, to say the least, but the Dutchman's transformative effect on this unstoppable Liverpool side cannot be overstated. Since joining the Merseyside giants for the world record fee in 2018, Van Dijk has almost single-handedly changed the fortunes of the Liverpool rearguard and restored them amongst Europe's elite clubs.
Aside from winning the PFA Player of the Year and the UEFA Player of the Year awards, the 28-year-old came within a few votes of becoming the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to win the Ballon d'Or, as he narrowly missed out on the award to Lionel Messi. Van Dijk is widely regarded as the best defender in world football currently and he has been an ever-present for Liverpool this season, as the Reds have opened up a stunning 22-point advantage over Manchester City in the Premier League summit.
The Netherlands captain is one of the biggest matchwinners around currently and looks set to the dominate world football for the next few years, as Liverpool gear up to win their first league title in 20 years with Van Dijk on the forefront of it all.
#9 Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels was one of the most consistent defenders of the decade and the fact that he represented Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund twice in 8 years, whilst winning everything there is to win in Germany is a startling example of his defensive capabilities.
In his time in the Bundesliga, the 31-year-old has racked up 5 league titles, 2 DfB Pokals, 6 German Super Cups, 1 FIFA Club World Cup and 1 UEFA Champions League to his name, making him one of the most accomplished German internationals of recent times. Aside from his exploits at club level, Hummels also played a pivotal role for Germany as they won the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and is widely regarded as one of the most successful defenders in the modern era.
Described as a ball-playing centre half who commands the box and dominates defenders aerially, the veteran German has had an eventful career and could well return to the national team fray for Euro 2020, as Niklas Sule continues to recover from a long term injury.
#8 Giorgio Chiellini
In terms of grit, determination and old school defending, the Italians have developed a reputation of being the best in the business and Giorgio Chiellini personifies just that, having been a mainstay at the back for Juventus and the Italian national team.
Since the turn of the decade, the Bianconeri have won 8 straight Scudettos, with Chiellini playing a pivotal role in each of their triumphs and cementing his status as a club legend. At 35 years of age, his best days are past him but the Italian has been an example for up and coming defenders, with his exemplary work ethic and never say die attitude.
Amassing over 300 appearances for the Old Lady and a century of caps for the national team, Chiellini is a modern-day legend of the game and is still going in the twilight years of his career. With 17 major trophies to his name in his time at Turin, the veteran defender is the last of a dying breed, as his form and consistency at the back propelled Juventus to an era of domestic dominance in the Serie A.
#7 Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany was one of the flagbearers of Manchester City rise under Sheikh Mansour and the defender is arguably the club's greatest player in the modern era. Since signing for the club initially as a defensive midfielder, Kompany gradually transitioned into a centre half and played a pivotal role in 4 title victories under 3 different managers.
While he was a pivotal member of the first 3 title-winning squads, he virtually ensured Manchester City retained their Premier League crown last season by scoring a stunning goal against Leicester City in the penultimate game of the season, a moment that seemingly handed the initiative to the Cityzens in the title race.
Aside from being one of the most complete central defenders in Premier League history, Kompany also led from the front and developed a knack of scoring important goals in his glittering career, winning 10 trophies in his time at the club. Injuries hampered the twilight years of his career but he left on a high after winning the domestic treble with the Cityzens, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats.
#6 Dani Alves
Dani Alves, in many ways. redefined the position of the full-back with his exploits for club and country and the mercurial Brazilian combined the best of both worlds to become one of the biggest matchwinners in world football. Alves was a vital cog of the Barcelona side that dominated the La Liga in the past decade and his telepathic understanding with Lionel Messi was one for the ages.
Lightning-quick on the ball with commendable close control, Alves commanded the right flank for Barcelona and won them games on his own at times, be it with a killer pass or with a marauding run forward to put the ball into the back of the net himself. Alves also turned out for Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain after leaving the Catalan giants, making notable contributions with both clubs as he left Europe in 2019 with 36 trophies to his name in the continent.
For Brazil, the 36-year-old rolled back the years and produced an outstanding display in the Copa America 2019, as he was named MVP of the tournament after Brazil's successful campaign. Alves changed the perception of a modern-day full-back and is sure to go down as a legend of the game for his exploits for club and country over the years.
#5 Philipp Lahm
Barring a two-year loan spell at VfB Stuttgart, Philipp Lahm spent the entirety of his playing career at Bayern Munich and in doing so, went on to establish himself as one of the club's greatest ever players. Lahm was a model of consistency, determination and intelligence, as he filled in at multiple positions with incredible efficiency for club and country.
A right-footed player by trade, he was equally adept at playing left-back or as a central midfielder due to his understanding of the game and he made over 300 appearances for the Bavarian giants in a career spanning 15 years, winning 21 trophies and countless other individual honours.
The standout moment of his career came in 2014, as he captained Germany to the FIFA World Cup, after which he retired from international football. A year prior to the historic feat, he also led Bayern Munich to the treble, as the Bavarians scalped the Bundesliga, DfB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League under legendary manager Jupp Heynckes, as he played a pivotal role in each of those triumphs.
Lahm's consistency and versatility made him one of the most reliable players in world football and the German retired on a high in 2017, after winning the Bundesliga title for a staggering 8th time.
#4 Raphael Varane
At the age of 26, Raphael Varane is the youngest player on this list, but the Frenchman has shown maturity well beyond his years to cement his status as a key player for club and country. Known for his elegance on the ball, recovery pace and his ability to play out from the back, Varane's development is sure to have exceeded his own lofty standards, as he is widely regarded as one of the best centre-halves in world football.
With 17 trophies to his name, including a pair of La Liga titles and a staggering 4 UEFA Champions League medals, Varane has won everything there is to win at club level and capped off a sensational year in 2018, as he played a pivotal role in France's triumph in the FIFA World Cup.
The 26-year-old has complemented the legendary Sergio Ramos so effectively over the years, as Los Blancos have endured one of the most successful periods of their modern era. With his prime well ahead of him, Varane is sure to retire as one of the most decorated defenders to have ever graced the game and the Frenchman has been in exemplary form this season for Real Madrid, as they look to win yet another La Liga title.
#3 Marcelo
Marcelo is an obvious inclusion in the list, much like any other Real Madrid player. The Brazilian full-back has made the left flank his own under multiple managers and has played a pivotal role in their success over the years. Known for his flair, lung-busting runs, striking ability and his knack of setting up his teammates with a variety of passes, Marcelo is one of the most attack-minded left-backs around and despite his defensive deficiencies, he is a serial matchwinner on his day.
Since breaking through at the start of the 2010-11 season for the 13-time Champions League winners, Marcelo has made over 350 appearances in his stay at the club and won a staggering 21 major trophies, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in the world in his position.
Hailed as the heir to the legendary Roberto Carlos, Marcelo has lived up to the billing and produced the goods consistently for his side over the years, having also established himself as a key player for the Brazilian national team. The 31-year-old is viewed as an inspiration for up and coming players in his position and is one of the great entertainers of the game, having produced countless moments of magic throughout his glittering career.
#2 Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique, since the turn of the decade, has reached unthinkable heights and the defender is all set to go down as a legend of the game for his exploits with Barcelona as well as the Spanish national team. While Barcelona controlled the decade domestically, Spain went through their own era of dominance, as they won a World Cup in 2010 and topped it off with the European championship in 2012, with Pique playing a key role in both those victories.
Amassing over 300 appearances for the Catalan giants, Pique has won 28 trophies in his time at the club and is highly regarded for the consistency he's shown over the years. Known for his passing ability and aerial dominance, the 33-year-old has often been compared with compatriot Sergio Ramos, as the pair are widely regarded as the best defenders of the decade.
While it ultimately boils down to personal preference, Pique and Ramos have been on the top of their games for their respective clubs and have been cornerstones of Spain's most successful era in their history, as they marshalled the rearguard with incredible consistency. At the age of 33, his best years are past him but he's still an indispensable member of the Blaugrana's squad, having called it quits on his international career to prolong his club tenure.
#1 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos, or El Capitano as he fondly referred to, is by far the greatest defender of the past decade and the legendary centre half is one of the biggest clutch players in the history of the sport. Being an aggressive tackler who always likes to be on the front foot, Ramos' disciplinary record has been slated over the years but the Spaniard has multiple other facets to his gameplay, as he excels with his positioning, heading ability, eye for goal and distribution.
With 170 senior appearances for Spain, Ramos is the most capped player in the country's history and with 21 trophies to his name in his 15-year spell Real Madrid, the legendary defender has won everything there is to win in world football.
Be it a last-minute goal to save his side on one end or a goal-saving tackle on the other, Ramos combines the best of both worlds with incredible elegance and is one of the most complete defenders in the history of the sport. Aside from leading his side, Ramos is also the designated penalty taker for club and country and has scored a staggering 85 goals in his senior career, which is an absurd amount considering he is a central defender.
The 33-year-old's longevity is commendable, to say the least, as he is still going strong for Real Madrid as well as the national team. It's only a matter of time before Ramos calls it quits on his illustrious career but he is sure to be remembered as one of the greats of the game.
