Top 10 Premier League defenders in 2016

#1 Toby Alderweireld

Alderweireld is good, he is very, very good

The last name of my list compels me to say that the names and the order they appear above have been my opinion and naturally subject to the biases I may have as a football watcher. While narratives and/or stats can be tweaked to fit most arguments, the one selection I am bold enough to declare fact is that Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld was easily the best Premier League defender of 2016.

Possessing all the traits desired in a defender, it is his intelligence and remarkable consistency game to game that makes him head and shoulders above the rest (even his teammate Vertonghen). He boosted Spurs to the league’s best defensive record last season, playing with Vertonghen but also with newly minted Kevin Wimmer, as well as Pochettino’s full back carousel.

They began the season not conceding a goal from open play and thoroughly out working Man City (maybe I’m giving their attack too much credit). As Alderweireld falls, the rest of the team’s league form dips and they crash out of the Champions League.

The implication is clear, and the hope is that as he gets back into the starting lineup, Spurs return to their resolute best. Led by the top defender going at the moment, they can’t be ruled out of anything yet.

Video Courtesy: Mathews Football

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Honourable mentions

Matip has made the transition to the league seamlessly

Joel Matip

As my co-host on the ALPLP likes to tell me on a seemingly weekly basis, Liverpool’s defensive woes are overblown and this man Matip can cover them up on the way to the title. While he has had a very swift transition to the league from Germany, his limited appearances and lack of cohesion with the Liverpool backline cost him here.

Ben Gibson

Being nephew of the chairman really has nothing to do with it. The young man has continued his good form in the Championship from last season and is immediately paying back the new deal he signed in the summer. Middlesbrough have the best defensive record in the bottom half by a significant margin, and if the goals don’t come to keep Gibson in the league, big money from another club will.