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Who is the best defender in Premier league?

Who is the best defender in Premier league?

Who is the best defender in Premier league? Defenders have always played a vital role in Premier League winning teams. Sir Alex Ferguson once said that while attack can win games, strong defence wins titles. In the past, defenders were only needed to defend, but now they have to be able to play the whole game. Defenders today are not only good at defending but also participate in building play from the back, with accurate long passes. The best defenders in the Premier League often possess all of these qualities and play an important role in the success of their teams. Join Premiumsoccertips.net to review the 10 best defenders in the Premier League today.

Who is the best defender in the Premier league?

10. Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)

Mickey van de Ven joined Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023 on a six-year contract from VfL Wolfsburg. The Dutchman immediately faced a big challenge when moving to the Premier League, but has already proven himself to be one of the fastest defenders in the league. Van de Ven stands out for his ability to play in a last-ditch position, making decisive tackles and blocking the ball effectively, especially in crucial situations. His style of play fits perfectly with the tactics adopted by coach Ange Postecoglou, who uses a high defensive line and a fast-paced game.

Mickey van de Ven joined Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023 on a six-year contract from VfL Wolfsburg
Mickey van de Ven joined Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023 on a six-year contract from VfL Wolfsburg

In his first season, van de Ven made 27 Premier League appearances, helping Spurs keep six clean sheets. In addition to his impressive defensive work, he also contributed in attack with three goals, demonstrating his energy and versatility. Van de Ven has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dynamic and dynamic defenders. With his pace and skill, he is a vital addition to Tottenham’s defence and looks set to continue to develop and have a big impact in the coming seasons.

9. Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)

Cristian Romero joined Tottenham Hotspur from Atalanta in August 2021 on a season-long loan, and the club then activated the option to buy him permanently the following year, making his deal permanent. Since joining, the Argentine defender has quickly established himself as one of the key members of Spurs’ defence, particularly with his strong attacking play and solid defensive ability. Romero has not only stood out for his fierceness in the tackles but also his gift for scoring, contributing several important goals for the team.

Cristian Romero joined Tottenham Hotspur from Atalanta in August 2021 on a season-long loan
Cristian Romero joined Tottenham Hotspur from Atalanta in August 2021 on a season-long loan

To date, Romero has made 93 appearances for Tottenham, scoring 7 goals and providing 1 assist. He has also helped the team keep 20 clean sheets, demonstrating his solid defensive ability. With his assured clearance and ability to attack from deep, Romero has become an integral part of manager Ange Postecoglou’s tactics. At 26, Romero continues to develop and is one of the top centre-backs in the Premier League, playing a key role in Tottenham’s success in recent seasons.

8. Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)

Josko Gvardiol, a talented Croatian defender, joined Manchester City in August 2023 for a reported £77 million, making him the second most expensive defender in the Premier League and in the world at the time. Despite being just 21 when he moved to the Etihad, Gvardiol showed great potential and gradually integrated into the first team, despite not being on the pitch at first. However, he quickly established himself as an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Best defender in the Premier league right now​: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
Best defender in the Premier league right now​: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)

Since joining Manchester City, Gvardiol has made 40 appearances, scoring 7 goals and providing 1 assist. In addition to his attacking contributions, he has also shown solid defensive ability, helping the team keep 11 clean sheets. With his pace, technique and composure in tense situations, Gvardiol is not only a key defender in defence but also actively involved in building play from the back. Gradually, he is establishing himself as one of the promising and indispensable defenders in the Manchester City first team, contributing to the overall success of the team.

7. Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)

Liverpool signed Ibrahima Konaté from RB Leipzig in May 2021 with the aim of strengthening their defence for the future. The Frenchman was only 23 at the time, but had already made a name for himself with impressive performances in the Bundesliga, attracting the attention of top clubs. With his solid defensive abilities and outstanding physicality, Konaté has become an ideal addition to Liverpool’s defence.

Who is the best defender in Premier league: Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)
Who is the best defender in Premier league: Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)

To date, Konaté has made 63 appearances for The Reds, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists. He has also helped the team keep 21 clean sheets, demonstrating his excellent defensive ability. With his tall stature and impressive speed, Konaté is not only steady in aerial situations but also very effective in covering and dealing with agile strikers. His consistency and development potential make Konaté one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League, promising to be an important pillar in Liverpool’s near future.

6. Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

The towering English defender joined Crystal Palace from Chelsea in June 2021 and has quickly become an integral part of the team’s defence. He was only 24 at the time of his move, but has quickly shown his talent and maturity under the guidance of coach Patrick Vieira, who has trusted him with a regular place in the starting line-up. With his impressive form, Guéhi has not only strengthened the defence but also been an important factor in the team’s overall play.

Who is the best defender in the Premier league: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Who is the best defender in the Premier league: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

Since joining Crystal Palace, Guéhi has made 129 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 8 assists. His consistency in form and solid defensive ability have helped the team maintain a solid defence. Guéhi is known for his reading of the game, his defensive solidity and his ability to initiate attacks from deep. He is also one of the best defenders in the air, and is a constant threat from set pieces. Guéhi continues to be a key pillar in Crystal Palace’s defence.

5. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)

Gabriel joined Arsenal from Lille in September 2020 on a long-term deal and has quickly become a key player in Mikel Arteta’s side. A natural left-footed defender, Gabriel has been a perfect fit for Arteta’s defensive tactics, allowing him to maximise his potential. Since joining the Gunners, Gabriel has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs thanks to his powerful attacking ability and solid defensive work ethic.

Best defender in the Premier league right now​: Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
Best defender in the Premier league right now​: Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)

Gabriel is known for his excellent aerial ability, always a threat from corners and free-kicks. Despite his 6ft 1in height, he has incredible pace, allowing him to cover the defensive zone well and keep up with opposition strikers. Gabriel has made 144 appearances for Arsenal to date, scoring 16 goals and providing one assist. He also played a key role in helping Arsenal keep 51 clean sheets. The 26-year-old is not only a reliable stopper but also a key factor in the team’s attacking play.

4. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

Portuguese defender Ruben Dias has been regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world for much of the past decade. He joined Manchester City from Benfica in September 2020 on a six-year deal, with Nicolas Otamendi moving in the opposite direction. Dias has been an instant mainstay in the City defence, playing a key role in the club’s remarkable success, including domestic and international honours.

Who is the best defender in Premier league: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Who is the best defender in Premier league: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

To date, Dias has made 187 appearances for Manchester City, scoring four goals and providing five assists. His solidity and leadership have seen the club keep 45 clean sheets in 126 Premier League appearances. Dias is known for his intelligent defending, composure in tense situations and ability to link up with his teammates to build play from the back. He continues to be one of the Premier League’s top centre-backs, playing a key role in Man City’s success over the years.

3. John Stones (Manchester City)

John Stones, widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, joined Manchester City from Everton in August 2016 for £47.5 million, making him the second most expensive defender in the world at the time. With his superb ball-handling skills and versatility, Stones quickly proved his worth in Pep Guardiola’s side. Despite being sidelined at times due to injury, he has remained a key part of the team, contributing to City’s great successes in recent seasons.

Best defender in the Premier league right now​: John Stones (Manchester City)
Best defender in the Premier league right now​: John Stones (Manchester City)

Stones has made a total of 257 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 16 goals and providing 7 assists. Of those appearances, 244 have come in the Premier League, where he has kept an impressive 74 clean sheets. Stones’ consistency and defensive solidity have helped Man City become one of the strongest teams in England and Europe. He continues to be one of the Premier League’s top centre-backs, known for his composure, leadership and accurate passing from defence.

2. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a world-record fee of £75 million, becoming the most expensive defender in football history at the time. He quickly proved his worth by playing a key role in Liverpool’s defence. Since arriving at Anfield, Van Dijk has helped the team win the UEFA Champions League for the fifth time in the 2018-2019 season and was an important factor in the team’s 30-year wait for the Premier League title in the 2019-2020 season.

Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a world-record fee of £75 million
Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a world-record fee of £75 million

During his career at Liverpool, Van Dijk has made a total of 274 appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 13 assists. Not only has he been outstanding in his attacking ability, he has also kept 108 clean sheets, establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world. With his calm personality, leadership and stability, Van Dijk has contributed to building Liverpool into one of the top teams, while raising his position in international football.

1. William Saliba (Arsenal)

William Saliba’s rise to become one of the best defenders in the world has been nothing short of phenomenal. The Frenchman joined Arsenal from AS Saint-Etienne in July 2019 and was loaned back to his parent club. He spent another short-term loan spell at Nice the following season, followed by a season on loan at Marseille in 2021/22, where he has really come into his own.

Who is the best defender in Premier league: William Saliba (Arsenal)
Who is the best defender in Premier league: William Saliba (Arsenal)

A mainstay of the Gunners’ defence since the 2022/23 campaign, Saliba has made 94 appearances for the club, scoring five goals and providing two assists. Of those appearances, 76 have come in the Premier League, where he has helped Arsenal keep 33 clean sheets so far. Still just 23, Saliba has a huge chunk of his career ahead of him and is likely to remain one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

Conclusion

The Premier League currently boasts a host of excellent defenders, each with their own unique qualities and important contributions to their teams. Among them, Arsenal’s William Saliba stands out with his solid defensive ability, speed and technique. However, the question “who is the best defender in the Premier League?” is not easy to answer. Names such as Virgil van Dijk, Ruben Dias, or John Stones are all worthy of mention, but Saliba is proving himself to be one of the best defenders in the league, promising to go even further in the future.

See more: Top 7 the clubs with the highest points in Premier league history