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Who Are The Best Defenders In the World?
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Who Are The Best Defenders In the World?

28/02/25 22:04

Who Are The Best Defenders In the World?

The centre back position has changed drastically over the years with the expectation being that they are able to demand but also create attacking opportunities for there side.

In this piece we will take a deep dive into who the six best defenders in world football at the moment:

  • 1 Virgil van Dijk
  • 2 Antonio Rudiger
  • 3 William Saliba
  • 4 Gabriel Magalhães
  • 5 Alessandro Bastoni
  • 6 Dayot Upamecano

Read on to find out what each of these players brings to the table to make them worthy of being considered as some of the best defenders in the world right now.

6 - Dayot Upamecano

Dayot Upamecano has divided opinion since his arrival on the global stage with RB Leipzig. However, the French defender has seen an improvement in performances since the appointment of Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich.

Known for his strength and pace, Kompany has been able to get the most out of Upamecano’s ability to play with the ball at his feet - a rather under-appreciated aspect of his game.

During the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League campaign that saw RB Leipzig reach the semi-final, Upamecano was a constant threat when it came to line breaking passes. Registering 113 vertical passes - more than any other player to make it to that stage of the competition.

Having been a mainstay in the Bayern Munich starting eleven, Upamecano has been partnered up with Kim Min-Jae in the heart of the defence for the majority of the campaign.

Upamecano is also a regular for the France national team, having started in the World Cup final against Argentina in 2022. The centre back has made 28 appearances, scoring two goals for his country.

Having previously been liable for mistakes, many may feel that the narrative around the Bayern Munich defender remains the same. However, he has since turned a corner and realising his potential.

5 - Alessandro Bastoni

Alsessandro Bastoni has established himself as one of the best centre backs in world football over the last few years.

Having built a resume which boasts two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias, three Supercoppa Italiana with Inter and European Championship with Italy, it’s safe to say there aren’t many more accomplished players under the age of 25.

Bastoni has been a constant presence for Inter since arriving from Atalanta in 2019, registering 237 appearances.

Known for his ball-playing ability and calmness while defending, Bastoni is the complete package when it comes to playing central defence in the modern era.

Bastoni averages 5.90 progressive passes and 2.20 progressive carries per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 93 and 99 percentile among centre-backs in both categories.

The Italian defender also attempted 87.51 passes per 90 minutes, placing him in the 97 percentile range.

Bastoni’s comfortability with the ball at his feet allows Inter to create chances from defence, a key component in Simone Inzaghi’s system.

Standing at 6 '3, Bastoni is also a threat in the air whether that’s attacking set pieces or defending.

With Inter firmly in the title race once again, Bastoni could right himself in history having helped lead his side to a third Serie A title.

4 - Gabriel Magalhães

Gabriel Magalhães has been a key figure in the transformation of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. Having been prone to errors and a perception of being reckless and a liability the Brazilian centre back has silenced his critics.

Sitting in the heart of the Arsenal defence next to William Saliba, many have described the duo as the best defensive partnership in world football.

Possessing a dynamic play style, Gabriel has managed to find the perfect balance when it comes to defending and attacking from the centre back position.

Being able to match up with attackers due to his pace, the Arsenal defender is able to cover space and slow down the opposition's counter attacks. This also makes him comfortable in one on one situations, where he’s known to use his strength and timing to win duels - Gabriel also wins 2.07 aerial duels per 90.

On the attacking end, Gabriel has become one of the highest goal scoring defenders in Europe, thanks to his aerial ability from set pieces.

The 27 year old has scored 17 goals in five seasons in the Premier League, the most of any defender over that period.

3 - William Saliba

William Saliba has become one of the most respected defenders on the planet. The Arsenal centre back has been almost flawless since signing for the Gunners six years ago.

With a calm and composed nature, Saliba has put himself in conversations among the elite.

The French defender stands alongside Gabriel in the Arsenal defence, forming a formidable partnership that many clubs envy. His ability to time tackles, reading of the game and defensive transition allowing Arsenal to go from defence to attack are skill sets that set him apart from the crowd.

The 6 '4 defender also possesses the strength to hold off opposing players and be force on the ground and in the air.

His well rounded ability is one of the very reasons as to why Arsenal have the luxury of playing such a risky system with the man-to-man high press.

2 - Antonio Rudiger

At the age of 31, Antonio Rudiger is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The Real Madrid defender has become a key piece for Los Blancos, helping them win seven trophies in just three seasons with the club - including a La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League. Known for his aggressive but calculated approach, Rudiger uses his height, speed and strength to his full advantage, constantly pestering and dominating opposing players.

Alongside his physical attributes, Rudiger is one of the best defenders in the world when it comes to reading the game and being in the right position when needed. He also has the ability to play with the ball at his feet and break lines with passes or direct runs himself.

The two time Champions League winner, once with Chelsea, is also known for his ability to create goal scoring opportunities from set pieces, whether that’s scoring headers or flicking the ball on for a teammate to find the net.

Having been injured for parts of this season, it’s clear to see the drop off in defensive structure without the German defender at Real Madrid. Similar to the glaring hole that was left at Chelsea following his switch to the Spanish giants.

1 - Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk isn’t just one of the best defenders in the world but he’s one of the greatest of all time.

The Liverpool centre back has carved a legacy that not many will be able to match when it’s all said and done.

Having won the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Community Shield and two EFL Cups at Liverpool, van Dijk has firmly cemented himself as a legend among the Kop.

Having arrived in England with Southampton after a successful spell in Scotland with Celtic, winning two league titles and a league cup, the Netherlands international took no time to adjust to new surroundings.

Despite being right-footed, van Dijk has often lined up on the left side of the defence in order to cover for his centre back partner and see out any danger.

Gifted with pace, strength, technique and a a good sense reading of the game, van Dijk is able to recover in scenarios that most defenders would be unable to do so. His attributes allow him to slow down counter attacks almost by himself and battle in one vs one situations.

When it comes to playing out from the back, van Dijk is one of the best in the world, ranking in the top 93 percentile with 80.91 passes attempted per 90. He also has a pass completion percentage of 92.3%.

With Liverpool on the verge of winning another Premier League title, the legend of Virgil van Dijk will only continue to grow

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Reece Coughlan

Writer

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