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#3 Stefan Savic | Atletico Madrid
Stefan Savic has rolled back the years and delivered the goods consistently for Atletico Madrid this season, as Diego Simeone looks to spearhead his side to their first La Liga title since 2013-14. The Montenegro international has featured 14 times in La Liga this season and has been a massive reason behind Atleti's imperious form at the back.
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Los Rojiblancos have only conceded five goals with Savic on the pitch this season and look increasingly like the real deal at the back. Be it with Felipe, Mario Hermoso or Jose Gimenez, the 30-year-old has looked comfortable defensively and has established himself as the leader of the Atleti rearguard.
#2 Jules Kounde | Sevilla
Hailed as one of the best young defenders in world football, Jules Kounde is Sevilla's most coveted prospect and has delivered a string of eye-catching displays this season. Having played a pivotal role in his club's UEFA Europa League triumph last season, Kounde caught the eye of several top clubs across the continent including Manchester City, who reportedly lodged a big-money bid to secure his signature.
However, Sevilla stood firm on their valuation and refused to part with their prized asset, as Pep Guardiola opted to sign Portuguese defender Ruben Dias instead. While the former Benfica man has gone on to become a mainstay of the Manchester City backline, it could be argued that Kounde has a higher ceiling and it's not hard to see why he was the Cityzens' top target.
Real Madrid and Liverpool have been linked with the Frenchman, who looks set to move on at the end of the current campaign.
#1 Sergio Ramos | Real Madrid
Unsurprisingly, Sergio Ramos tops the list for his exploits with Real Madrid. The legendary Spaniard continues the lead the rearguard for Los Blancos and also has a knack for scoring crucial goals for his side.
Zinedine Zidane's side often struggle in his absence, with the likes of Raphael Varane, Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandes not dependable enough to lead the backline. Ramos is one of the greatest footballers of his generation and is still going strong at the age of 35, with Real Madrid currently locked in talks to extend his contract.
Los Blancos have reportedly agreed a deal with Bayern Munich defender David Alaba on a free transfer, and it remains to be seen if the Austrian's capture affects their thought process when it comes to Ramos' new contract.
