From Virgil van Dijk’s superior aerial dominance to Lisandro Martinez’s excellence in ball distribution, the Premier League is truly blessed with some of the world’s top centre-backs. So, join bestsoccertips to review top 10 best centre backs in the premier league, showcasing exceptional skill in one of the world’s most competitive leagues, ranked from lowest to highest.
Top 10 best centre backs in the Premier League
10. Sven Botman
Occupying the 10th spot on our list is Sven Botman of Newcastle, who joined the club in the summer transfer window before the 2022/23 season. The Dutch player, previously linked with Liverpool, has seamlessly integrated into Newcastle’s defensive ranks and formed a formidable partnership with Fabian Schar.
In the eyes of many, his presence has been instrumental in making Newcastle a tough side to beat, helping them secure a spot in this season’s Champions League. Botman boasts an impressive pass accuracy rate of 92% and wins an average of 4.8 aerial duels per game, figures that are only set to improve as he continues to develop at just 23 years old.
9. Manuel Akanji
Fans were somewhat surprised when Manchester City acquired Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2022/23 season. However, the Swiss international turned out to be a shrewd signing by Pep Guardiola, playing a key role in the club’s Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
Guardiola entrusted Akanji in crucial matches during the Premier League campaign preparation phase, even starting him in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, where his team kept a clean sheet. Akanji has featured both as a left-back and a right-back for Man City last season and seems likely to do so again this season, but his performances as a center-back also justify his inclusion in this list.
8. Ibrahima Konate
While Liverpool’s defense may be somewhat shaky at the moment, it’s undeniable that Ibrahima Konate has made a strong impression since moving to Anfield from RB Leipzig in 2021. The French player is incredibly fast and powerful, essentially capable of covering the entire right flank of the defense while Trent Alexander-Arnold drops back into midfield.
Konate has won 3.1 aerial duels per game during his time at Liverpool, according to Premier League statistics, while also boasting an impressive pass accuracy rate of 89%, demonstrating composure on the ball. Whether Liverpool achieves success this year in the Premier League or the Europa League, Konate will likely play a pivotal role in the Reds’ performances.
7. Gabriel
Gabriel, Arsenal’s defensive wall from Brazil, showcases a perfect blend of physicality, determination, and technical ability. Averaging 2.5 interceptions and 5 clearances per game, according to Opta, he plays a pivotal role in tightening Arsenal’s defense and turning The Gunners into title contenders.
Forging a remarkable partnership with William Saliba (more on him later), it’s undeniable that Gabriel will be one of Arsenal’s most important players in the coming years.
6. Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez officially enters the list of the Premier League’s finest passers, exhibiting exceptional ball control. Martinez possesses the dribbling ability that every modern center-back, especially at the highest level, requires, along with the determination to match.
Despite his stature, Lisandro never shies away from a tackle, which is partly why Manchester United found it challenging to score in the previous season. With an even more outstanding goalkeeper behind him this season in Andre Onana, there’s no telling how well Martinez can continue to perform for the Red Devils.
5. Thiago Silva
Like fine wine, at 39 years old, Thiago Silva remains one of the Premier League’s outstanding defenders. Silva’s ability to read the game is unparalleled, allowing him to continue playing in the Premier League against opponents nearly 20 years his junior, and sometimes even better in some cases.
Not only is he one of the best defenders in the world today, but he’s also one of the best of the 21st century. If Chelsea achieves anything this year, Thiago Silva will play a significant role in it.
4. William Saliba
William Saliba’s defensive prowess for Arsenal last year proved he’s a top-class player, but Arsenal’s performance when he was injured demonstrated just how good the Frenchman is.
Arsenal’s challenge for the Premier League title last year was not only due to Saliba’s defensive performance but also his composure on the ball, helping the Gunners quickly transition into attack.
Saliba has signed a new contract with Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta will shape his team around this remarkable 22-year-old center-back for the coming decade, there’s no denying that.
3. Virgil van Dijk
Though he may not be hitting the heights of before, you cannot argue that Virgil van Dijk is still one of the finest defenders in the world, let alone in the Premier League. The Dutch player has completely transformed Liverpool from a team with a loose defense into one of the strongest teams in the world, winning every possible accolade.
VVD remains incredibly composed on the ball, and attackers must employ all their tricks in their arsenal to bypass the Dutch defender in one-on-one battles, whether on the ground or in the air. As the captain of Liverpool, Virgil still has much to offer Jurgen Klopp’s team and remains one of the toughest defenders for forwards to contend with.
2. Ruben Dias
A gem in Manchester City’s defense, Dias is renowned as a defensive giant and one of the best in his position in the world. He’s known for his brave tackles, boasting an impressive 73% success rate in tackles. Dias is also an underrated passer, a necessity for Pep Guardiola’s style of play.
Coming from Benfica, no one expected Dias to perform as well as he has, but the Portuguese international is one of the most important players for Man City, as he proved in the previous season. After returning to the team following several injury absences, Dias turned the tide for Man City and helped Pep Guardiola’s side continue winning the matches they needed to secure the Premier League and Champions League titles.
1. John Stones
Simply put, there’s no defender in the Premier League, or even in the world, who can do what John Stones has done. Stones has been an integral part of Man City’s defense for several years, but his importance to Pep’s team changed last year. Recognizing Stones’ ball-playing ability, Guardiola tasked Stones with playing as a midfielder and initiating attacks, which greatly benefited Man City throughout their winning streak in the Premier League and Champions League.
As one of the finest players in the world, regardless of position, it’s hard to argue that John Stones isn’t the best center-back (and even defender) in the Premier League right now. The art of defense, often overshadowed by flashy goals and assists, still forms the backbone of every successful team. No team can dominate their respective league, or even individual competitions, without a world-class backline.
Conclude
The list of top center-backs in the Premier League not only reflects the diversity and quality of the defensive line in the league but also serves as evidence of the development and fierce competition in English football. From experienced players to promising young talents, each brings a unique contribution to the success of their respective teams. The key lies in how each center-back demonstrates flexibility and consistency in their role, not only in thwarting opponents’ goal-scoring opportunities but also in supporting attacks and building the team’s playing style. This demonstrates that the presence of top center-backs is not only important but also a solid foundation for every team in the Premier League.
See more: Ranking the top 10 the best centre backs in the world
