Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, we’ve seen a number of world-class centre-backs grace the competition.
Tony Adams, Jaap Stam, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are just to name but a few.
Each possessed unparalleled individual and leadership qualities that remain the benchmark to this very day.
As one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, with six realistic would-be champions, it goes without saying there’s no shortage of top central defenders.
So, as you can imagine, ranking the 10 current best is a thankless job. However, since when have we shirked a challenge?
As follows is our 10 of the best from good to great.
10. James Tarkowski
Age: 25
Club: Burnley
Premier League appearances: 53
You would be hard-pressed to find a club that enjoys defending more than Burnley. By no means is this a critique, football, after all, is a balance between offence and defence. At the heart of Sean Dyche’s well-oiled machine is rising star James Tarkowski who has brought last season’s form into this one.
He’s hit the ground running and could very well add to his sole England cap when this present campaign is all said and done. Yet to attract credible suitors, if the Manchester-born defender continues on the trajectory he’s on it will be hard to see The Clarets keeping hold of him.
Key stat: In the seven games James Tarkowski missed last season, Burnley failed to win a single match and conceded nine goals in the process.
9. Antonio Rüdiger
Age: 25
Club: Chelsea
Premier League appearances: 30
Rüdiger arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017 on the back off a stellar reputation forged in Serie A, but his debut season was one filled with highs and lows. That being said, he looks to be a man transformed under Maurizio Sarri and is starting to recreate the form that first attracted the Blues.
Key stat: Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 13 of the 30 Premier League games Antonio Rudiger has played; only Cesar Azpilicueta has been on the pitch for more (16 clean sheets in 40 games).
8. Harry Maguire
Age: 25
Club: Leicester City
Premier League appearances: 73
Dubbed “Slab-head” by Leicester teammate Jamie Vardy, the Sheffield-born footballer has come from relative obscurity to centre-stage in the last two seasons. His standout performances for England at this summer’s World Cup, in terms of his natural game and going forward, saw Manchester United show interest in acquiring his services. A move did not materialise, however, meaning Claude Puel and the Foxes faithful can enjoy his rise and rise.
Key stat: Harry Maguire completed 51 out of 60 take-ons attempted last season, more than any other centre-back in the Premier League.
7. Davinson Sánchez
Age: 22
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League appearances: 33
It’s been a stellar rise for Sanchez who is currently playing in his third season of European club football. A wondrous first season with record Dutch champions Ajax, culminating in a Europa League final appearance, earned him a blockbuster move to Spurs; to say he’s taken English football like a duck to water is an understatement. If anything, he’s been a class apart and the former Copa Libertadores winner is only getting better.
Key stat: Davinson Sánchez has completed 100 of the 108 passes he’s attempted in the Premier League so far this season; only four defenders completed more successful passes than he did in the league last season.
6. Nicolás Otamendi
Age: 30
Club: Manchester City
Premier League appearances: 94
The turnaround Otamendi has made in the last year has been astounding. Much maligned going into last season, it’s fair to say Otamendi looks a different player, partly thanks to Guardiola’s coaching, and he is now among the league’s best central defenders.
The leader of City’s backline in their record-breaking 2017/18 campaign, even with Vincent Kompany playing regularly once again. And not many, from a central defensive position, distributies the ball as well as he does.
Key stat: Nicolas Otamendi successfully completed 100+ passes in 11 different Premier League games last season, more than any other player.
5. John Stones
Age: 24
Club: Manchester City
Premier League appearances: 124
For a central defender, Stones remains young even if he’s accumulated over 100 league appearances. He’s still prone to the odd mistake, but there’s no question his game is evolving, so much so manager Pep Guardiola has hinted the Englishman having a future in midfield (or the reverse Javier Mascherano).
One of the most graceful defenders in the league, John Stones used the World Cup to remind his critics of his ability to defend as well as progress the ball forward.
Key stat: John Stones has the highest take-on success rate (100%) and highest pass accuracy (95.71%) of any defender to play 100+ minutes in the Premier League since the start of last season.
4. Toby Alderweireld
Age: 29
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League appearances: 109
There’s a reason why Jose Mourinho was adamant in signing Alderweireld this summer. He is a strong contender for being the Premier League’s best at what he does. The last 12 months has not been kind to the former Ajax academy graduate, but as the saying goes, form is temporary and class is permanent. How the Red Devils (Manchester United that is) could do with him.
Key stat: Toby Alderweireld has completed more accurate long balls per 90 minutes (8.81) than any other current outfield player in the Premier League since the start of last season.
3. Vincent Kompany
Age: 32
Club: Manchester City
Premier League appearances: 250
It wasn’t long ago folks were starting to write off City’s captain and leader as yesterday’s news. A spate of unfortunate injuries were beginning to take its toll, but like the colossus he is, Kompany embraced the challenge and for the time being is victorious.
When up and running there are few better, he’d be number one on our list for that very reason, but those days are seemingly behind him which makes seeing his presence on the pitch a joyful experience.
Key stat: Vincent Kompany has averaged more aerial duels won (2.91) and more clearances per 90 (4.72) than any other Man City defender since last season.
2. Virgil van Dijk
Age: 27
Club: Liverpool
Premier League appearances: 83
What an impact Van Dijk has made at title-chasing Liverpool since completing his protracted move from Southampton earlier this year.
They say all defenders are born equal, but then you look at the Dutchman and then those around him and you know that statement can’t possibly be true. If anyone is responsible for the club’s defensive turnaround it’s Van Dijk who is finally on the stage where his talents belong.
Key stat: Since Virgil van Dijk made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in January, no other player has kept more clean sheets (10) in the division; not conceding in any of their opening three games of the 2018/19 season.
Honourable mentions: Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Ben Mee (Burnley), Eric Bailly (Manchester United), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Nathan Aké (Bournemouth), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion)
1. Jan Vertonghen
Age: 31
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League appearances: 190
They call him “Super-Jan” and for a very good reason. Vertonghen, who recently begun his seventh consecutive season as a Premier League footballer, is close to being complete as you can get.
Strong in the air, good with his feet and reads the game as if it is a well-written novel. Yet to win anything meaningful with Spurs, that doesn’t take away what an absolute star he’s been and there’s more to come.
Key stat(s): Vertonghen is the only defender to make 300 successful passes ending in the final third since the start of last season; he has also completed 30 take-ons, made 70 tackles and won 123 aerial duels.
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