Top 3 centre-backs in the Premier League this season so far

The 2018/19 Premier League season is already past its halfway mark, and we have seen some entertaining stuff so far. We have seen some brilliant defensive play from some defensive players in the Premier League this season.

A defender's primary role is to stop the opposition from scoring goals. A centre back plays in an area directly in front of the goal and particularly marks the centre-forwards of the opposing teams.

The terms interceptions, tackles and duels are all related to the defensive part of the game. A centre back has to be good on the ball too as he is the player that builds attacks for his team from the back. So far we have seen some brilliant centre back play by some players this season.

Here are the top 3 centre-backs of the current Premier League campaign:

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#1 Virgil Van Djik

Van Dijk is the leader of the league's best defence

Virgil Van Dijk is arguably one of the best centre-backs in the world right now. Van Dijk has so far justified his price tag at Liverpool. He has been a rock at the back for Jurgen Klopp's team and is the man responsible for the transformation of Liverpool's defensive play.

Van Dijk is a proper leader on the field, something very rarely seen in the footballers of the current generation. He is fast, agile, brilliant on the ball and a beast in the air. The calmness he shows on the ball is absolutely scintillating to watch. The 27-year-old Dutch international is also a huge threat from set pieces.

Any attacker in the Premier League would get intimidated by the large frame of the Dutch centre back. So far he has played all the 23 games for Liverpool in the Premier League and his form is pivotal if Liverpool are to win the Premier League this season.

In terms of stats in the Premier League this season, Van Dijk has won 76.19 percent of his tackles, made 25 interceptions and made 120 clearances. He has won 76 percent of his duels and he possesses a passing accuracy of 90 percent. His discipline is also commendable as he has earned only a single yellow card so far.

#2 Toby Alderweireld

Alderweireld is having a good year for Tottenham

After a topsy turvy 2017/18 season in which Toby Alderweireld fell out with manager Mauricio Pochettino and lost his place to the new signing Davinson Sanchez, the 29-year-old centre back seems to be back to his best this campaign.

Toby has been brilliant for Tottenham at the back this season. He is brilliant on the ball, good in the air and has that calmness that you need to be a centre back. Toby has been performing consistently for Tottenham for quite some time now and he alongside Jan Vertonghen form one the best centre back pairings in the Premier League.

Toby recently agreed to a 1-year extension with Spurs which has triggered a release clause of £25 million in his contract. A world-class centre back at £25 million is an absolute bargain in the modern era, and with Manchester United interested in him, Spurs look set to lose their superstar.

In terms of stats in the Premier League this season, Toby has won 68.42 percent of his tackles, made 17 interceptions and made 118 clearances. He has won 57 percent of his duels and he has a passing accuracy of 89 percent. He has only earned two yellow cards so far this season.

#3 Aymeric Laporte

Manchester City have a solid defender in Laporte

Aymeric Laporte has been brilliant at the back for Manchester City this season. After being signed in January 2018 for a hefty fee, Laporte has come into his own for City this season.

The French centre back is a ball-playing defender and is a player tailor-made for the Pep Guardiola philosophy. Still only 24 years old, Laporte has a lot to learn but he seems to be justifying the price that City paid to acquire his services.

Laporte along with John Stones have formed a formidable centre back pairing for Guardiola this season. Laporte so far has played all the 23 Premier League games for Manchester City this season. The French centre back has to keep his form up if Manchester City are to pip Liverpool for the Premier League title come May.

In terms of stats this season, Laporte has won 55 percent of his tackles, made 25 interceptions and made 56 clearances. He has won 57 percent of his duels and has a passing accuracy of 92 percent. His disciplinary record is also commendable as he has been shown the yellow card only twice so far.