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Lets admit that football would become too boring and gravitate towards attackers if there were no central defenders around.
Theirs is a tough job - they make the hard and heavy tackles, put in extra yards for their teams, protect the goalkeepers from direct shots, and even go forward to score goals as and when required.
This article is dedicated to four central defenders who are ruling the Premier League right now.
#1 Virgil van Dijk
Signed from Southampton in the January transfer window for a record sum, Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League at the moment.
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Tall and strong, VVD is extremely good at tackling and winning aerial duels. Manager Jurgen Klopp fully trusts him and has started him in all eleven matches in the league this season.
He has been brilliant this season, and has led Liverpool's defence with aplomb. The Reds have conceded just 5 goals in the Premier League this season, and VVD is one of the main reasons for that.
#2 David Luiz
Chelsea's Brazilian centre-back David Luiz has been given a new lease of life under Italian manager Maurizio Sarri. Sarri has identified Luiz's ability to play through balls and short passes, and inducted him as one of the first trainees of the 'Sarri Ball' way of football.
Luiz has been so good this season that he is probably the first name on the Chelsea team-sheet at the moment.
Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, and Tony Rudiger manned the defence last season, but with Sarri going back to a normal back four, he has found a place in the starting XI regularly.
#3 Harry Maguire
Leicester City's English defender, Harry Maguire, has started in all eleven of their Premier League games, and he has defended with real authority and presence of mind. Manager Claude Puel trusts him completely, and backs him to the hilt.
Maguire is also a threat in front of goal, having scored 2 goals already this season. He has picked up a few yellow cards too for his team, but that just shows Maguire is willing to take one for the team whenever the occasion arises.
Maguire had a good showing in the World Cup held in Russia this year, and has carried on that form to the Premier League. Leicester have conceded a lot of goals this season, but none of them has been a direct result of mistakes made by their number 15.
#4 Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte has played all of Manchester City's matches in the Premier League so far, and provided solidity at the back, along with John Stones.
He is known to be a strong passer, and standing at an impressive 6'3, good at aerial duels too. Signed from Athletic Bilbao in the January transfer window, the Frenchman has adapted naturally into Pep Guardiola's style of play at the Etihad.
Laporte is not shy of scoring goals, as he has one each to his name in the Premier League and the Champions League. Partnering John Stones at the back, he has been fantastic, defending with authority.
Manchester City have conceded a meagre 4 goals this season, and it is all down to the solidity Laporte provides in the heart of its defence.
