World Cup 2018: 5 classy centre-backs expected to stand tall in Russia

The history of the World Cup is one that has seen some very great centre-backs. Over the years, these players have been bulwarks for their teams, offering solidity at the back and protection for goalkeepers.

Such is the respect accorded to the proud men who have played this role at the World Cup that more often than not, they are usually the captains of their teams.

Some of the all-time greats of the Mundial have been centre-backs e.g. Franz Beckenbauer who led West Germany to victory at the 1974 World Cup held on home soil. Fabio Cannavaro’s marshaling of that famous Italian team which won the 2006 title (also hosted by Germany) is another fantastic example.

The 21st FIFA World Cup; Russia 2018 looks set to have another set of quality centre-backs come to the fore. Here is a look at 5 of the very best expected to dominate headlines:

#5 Vedran Ćorluka (Croatia)

Rugged, tough and uncompromising in the article, the 32-year-old who has had spells in English, Russian, Croatian and German football remains as aerially dominant as he has always been.One of the most experienced centre-backs in the tournament, Corluka is one player who has been around the block and is expected to be the voice of experience and wisdom for a Croatian side tipped to do great things.

Having never been the fastest player even in his early days, Corluka has always relied on having an excellent reading of the game as well as physicality to get about.

Expected to partner Dejan Lovren in the centre of the Vatreni's defence, he will be the cool head to Lovren's more erratic nature and given the absence of a natural defensive midfielder in the Croatian team, he will have to be the one to step into midfield spaces to either mop up or stop opposition attacks.

#4 John Stones (England)

Stones will be the main man for the Three Lions

Much has been made in the English media about Stones, fair to say that after Raheem Sterling, he is one English player who has come in for more than his fair share of criticism.

However, he is absolutely crucial to England's World Cup aspirations as he is expected to be the central defender in Gareth Southgate's 3-4-2-1 formation. In this role, he will be tasked with distributing the ball to the midfield/forward line.

In this role, he will also be expected to be the defender who will step into midfield to provide an extra man when defending and will be the one defender in Southgate’s system with the license to roam and cut off opposition attacks away from England’s 18-yard box.

It is a role he has played with some success at Manchester City but the lack of quality players like the City midfield possesses may serve to curtail Stones’ forward thrust moves.

#3 Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)

Vertonghen will be Mr. Utility for the Red Devils

Mention the top centre-backs in world football currently and the names of at least three Belgians are certain to come up in the conversation. Given the quality of centre-back options available to Die Roten Teufel and the absence of a natural left-back, it is almost certain that Tottenham Hotspur’s Vertonghen will be playing as a left back.

Blessed with a playmaker’s reading of the game, the left-footed centre-back’s calm and poise on the ball has been one of the most enduring features of Mauricio Pochettino’s side, a form he has carried to the national set-up as well.

Vertonghen’s great reading of the game, aerial strength and immaculate tackling would be of great benefit to Roberto Martinez’s side. His ability to carry the ball forward and open up opponents with his long passes would add an extra attacking dimension to Belgium’s play especially in games against the stronger teams.

#2 Samuel Umtiti (France)

Lots of eyes will be on Umtiti at the Mundial

Few centre-backs are going into the World Cup with a growing reputation quite like Umtiti’s. The former Olympique Lyon has grown into a really fine centre-back since he moved to Barcelona.

Alongside Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, the left-footed player of Cameroonian descent will be playing in his first major tournament for Les Bleus. He is likely to be one of the most important men for Didier Deschamps as France looks to win its 2nd World Cup.

Pacy, strong with an immaculate sense of timing for making tackles, Umtiti’s game intelligence and technique has been further enhanced by the patient coaching of Ernesto Valverde at club level.

This new found confidence has found expression on the national stage as he has become more assertive and is one of France’s most potent weapons from set-pieces.

His strength and rugged nature are expected to be a perfect foil for the more pacy and adventurous Varane and with N’Golo Kante expected to play in front of the pair, breaching France’s defence at Russia 2018 is not going to be easy.

#1 Mats Hummels (Germany)

Hummels will be key for the Germans at Russia 2018

One of the truly world-class centre-backs who will be playing at the World Cup, Mats Hummels has been an ever-present since he made his debut for Die Mannschaft in 2010.

Powerful, agile, intelligent and always aware of everything going on around him, he is of the old-school style as he is strong in the tackle and brilliant aerially. He combines this with a cultured style that allows him to often bring the ball out of defence and looking to start attacks.

He has formed a formidable partnership will Jerome Boateng at Bayern Munich, a partnership that delivered the World Cup title for the Germans in 2014. This partnership of two brilliant defenders is expected to provide the foundation for Joachim Low’s team to mount a successful defence of its title.

Like the best centre-backs, Hummels is a threat from set-pieces and with quality players likes Mesut Ozil Marco Reus and Toni Kroos also in the team, the 29-year-old will fancy his chance of getting on the scoresheet.

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Which of these defenders do you think will have the maximum impact on the World Cup? Tell us in the comments below!