Top 5 goalscoring defenders in Europe so far this season 

The stage was set on 10th April 1993 as Manchester United hosted Sheffield Wednesday in an all-important Premier League tie for the Red Devils. A win against Wednesday meant that United would have a firm grip on the title.

However, they were trailing with just five minutes of normal time left to play. Steve Bruce, a centre-back by trade, was known for his goalscoring exploits at that time and he stepped up for the Red Devils and scored a brace to secure the win.

This effectively wrapped up the first season of the Premier League with the trophy heading to Manchester.

A defender is always known for the work he does in his team's own half rather than on the other side of the ground. But there have been times when the goals scored by the men at the back have helped their team to attain success.

On that note, we take a look at the top five defenders who lead the way for the number of goals they have slotted in this season in their respective leagues.

All stats are taken from whoscored.com and squawka.com

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#5 Thomas Meunier (PSG)

Meunier has helped in creating 12 chances for PSG this season

Total Appearances: 17

Goals: 4

First on our list is the Paris Saint Germain right-back, Thomas Meunier. The Belgian has found it hard to get playing time under his belt at Paris with Dani Alves currently occupying the spot on the right side of the defence.

But that has not stopped the Belgian defender from putting in inspired performances for the current Ligue 1 leaders.

In the 1162 minutes, he has spent on the pitch, Meunier has scored four goals and has two assists to his name as well. The former Club Brugge man has also helped in creating a total of 12 chances and also boasts a shot accuracy of 71%.

Meunier has won 45% of his duels and completes an average of three defensive actions per game showing that he is solid at the back as well when called upon.

Being an integral part of the Belgian National Team, Meunier has hinted at leaving PSG over the lack of time he has been receiving at the club with Manchester United believed to be a possible destination.

#4 Bastos (Lazio)

Bastos is the highest goalscoring defender in Serie A at the moment

Total Appearances: 16

Goals: 4

The Angolan defender has been one of Lazio's key players this season not only with his defensive play but also with his composure in front of the goal as well.

The former Rostov man has scored four goals in the Serie A making him the highest goalscoring defender in the Italian top-flight.

Even though Kalidou Koulibaly has scored the same amount of goals in the league, the Lazio defender goes past him owing to the less number of minutes he has spent on the ground as compared to his Senegalese counterpart.

Bastos has also helped Lazio in creating three goalscoring chances and has an incredible passing accuracy of 91%.

The Angolan has also been strong in the defensive side of his game, completing an average of five defensive actions in each game and also winning 51% of his duels as well.

#3 Naldo (FC Schalke 04)

Naldo will be looking to help Schalke secure second place in the Bundesliga table

Total Appearances: 27

Goals: 5

The Brazilian is currently having one of his best seasons in the German top-flight having played a vital role in Schalke being second in the Bundesliga table behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich.

Naldo has scored five goals in the Bundesliga in 27 appearances for The Royal Blues, with the highlight being the equaliser he scored against Eintracht Frankfurt in the dying moments of the game.

The former Wolfsburg man also has two assists to his name and has helped his side create a total of eight chances in the Bundesliga.

The Brazilian has a pass accuracy of 86% and also has been rock solid at back winning 64% of his duels and completing an average of eight defensive actions in Bundesliga matches.

Schalke will be hoping that their Brazilian defender continues his rich vein of form on both sides of the ground as they look to seal the second spot on the Bundesliga table.

#2 Juanpe (Girona)

Juanpe will be looking to help his team secure a European spot this season

Total Appearances: 26

Goals: 5

Much like his team, Juanpe has been a surprise package this season in the La Liga. The team from Catalonia sit in seventh place, a remarkable feat given the fact that this their first season in La Liga and the Spanish defender has been in the thick of things.

Juanpe has scored five goals, which is the highest in La Liga at the moment and also has an assist to his name. The defender has also helped in creating four chances for his side as well.

He has a decent shot accuracy of 55% and an average passing of 77%. The 26-year-old takes up to six defensive actions on an average in each game.

With the European places in sight, the minnows from Catalonia will be looking for valuable contributions from Juanpe at both ends of the field.

#1 Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

Alonso has helped in creating 32 chances for the Blues this season

Total Appearances: 28

Goals: 6

Even though his team Chelsea are having a lacklustre outing this season, Spanish Left-back Marcos Alonso is having one to cherish in terms of his goalscoring.

One of the best moments of his prolific campaign would be the brace he scored against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Wembley which gave The Blues all three points that evening.

Alonso has been one of the most consistent players during Antonio Conte's reign and played a key role in Chelsea's title-winning run last season. This season, the Chelsea full-back has scored six goals and provided one assist in the league.

Apart from this, he has also created a whopping 32 chances for his team and holds a shot accuracy of 47%. The Spanish defender also completes four defensive actions on an average in each game and wins 46% of his duels.

Despite his team's indifferent form in the Premier League, Alonso would be hoping to continue his sparkling form and secure his place in the Spanish squad for the upcoming World Cup in Russia.