Football is unjust in a sense that goal scorers are admired more vehemently than the goal stoppers I.E Goalkeepers and defenders.Most of the end of the season individual awards are awarded to the attacking players.
The unsung heroes at the back aren’t rewarded sufficiently. The watertight defense is the key to increase the attacking output.Because when defenders perform their duties vigilantly,it provides more freedom to the attackers to go all guns blazing.
All the great teams were built on the strong foundations at the back.Arrigo Sachi’s great Milan team, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United,Zinedene Zidane’s Real Madrid.All these successful outfits heavily relied on their miserly defenses to win extraordinary amount of silverware.
Today, football has evolved into a technical and tactical game.Modern defender not only thwarts the opposition attacks but also initiates the attacks for his side by playing out from the back.Kicking long and hard is not an option for a defender these days.He/she has to play as a deep-lying playmaker when his/her team is in the possession of the ball.
Speed is also a basic skill for a defender nowadays.Because most teams play with high lines and pacy wingers, the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vini Jr could run ragged if defenders can’t match their lightning speed.
Here we are ranking the 3 Best Centre backs in the world based on the skill set that is required to flourish in the modern game.
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Antonio Rudiger (Central Defender,Real Madrid and German National team)
The German is a monster of a defender.The old fashioned physically strong and aggressive centre back with a touch of modern day finesse is the backbone of Real Madrid’s struggling defense.Persistent injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba have put most of the defensive burden on Rudiger’s shoulders.The former Chelsea man hasn’t disappointed the Madristas.
Rudiger joined Madrid from Chelsea on a free transfer two years ago.His first season was underwhelming and he struggled for form and consistency.But last season the former stuttgart prodigy came into his own.The season-ending ACL injury to Militao opened up a place in the team for Rudiger and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Rudiger was the rock at the back for the Carlo Ancelloti’s side.His pace and agility stopped the most of opposition attacks way before they became dangerous.His aerial prowess made him a key attacking weapon in the opposition penalty box.Real Madrid won La Liga and UEFA Champions League in 23/24 and Rudiger was at the heart of it all.For his brilliant displays,He was inducted into UCL team of the season 2024.
This season too the German defender is playing very well.He has already made 67 interceptions and 12 tackles.His Madrid side is at the top of La Liga standings and are also one of the favorites to win the UCL this year.
2-William Saliba (Central Defender,Arsenal and France National team)
William Saliba built his reputation in French Ligue 1 while on loan from Arsenal. At the beginning of 2023/24 season, when his parent club inducted him into their squad as a starting center back,many doubted whether he could perform in a more challenging and competitive environment of English Premiere League.
Saliba proved all those doubters wrong emphatically and became a rock at the back for the North London club. He formed a great partnership with Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defense.Saliba’s prime attributes are his brilliant reading of the game and composure on the ball. His importance to the team was laid bare for everyone to see that season when he got injured and missed the last 11 games in the League. Arsenal could not cope without Saliba and promptly gifted the title to Manchester City.
Last season Saliba performed admirably for Arsenal and France.Unfortunately he hasn’t won a silverware of note with his Club and country.But it is not down to the lack of effort from him.
Saliba starts many Arsenal attacks with his precise and forward thinking passing.He has the ability to sniff out attacks way before they become dangerous.The France international is known as a Rolls Royce because of the ease with which he conducts his duties as a defender.
1-Virgil Van Dijk (Central Defender, Liverpool FC and Netherlands)
Van Dijk is without a doubt the best centre back in the world.He had a torrid 2023/24 with Liverpool which was also Jurgen Klopp’s last season in the Merseyside.This season Van Dijk is back to his brilliant best and dominating the forwards without breaking his sweat.
After his below average first season with Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp realized that the frail defense was the biggest obstacle in his team’s progress. So,In 2017 winter Transfer Window,Klopp acquired the Dutch giant defender, Virgil van Dijk ,from Southampton for whopping 75 million GBP. The colossal fee was then the world record for a defender.
Many skeptics criticized the move because of the fee involved. But Van Dijk and fellow new signing Brazilian goalkeeper Allison immediately improved the side. Liverpool became one of the most formidable outfits in the world.Van Dijk marshaled the back line expertly and soon Liverpool defense became the envy of the entire Europe. The extra insurance at the back freed up the attacking minded players and they started scoring goals for fun.
As a result Liverpool played two back to back UEFA Champions League Finals in 2018 and 2019,lifting the trophy in the latter. The club also won its long coveted first Premiere League title in thirty years.
Under the new manager Arne Slot, Liverpool FC are once again fighting for big trophies. Van Dijk’s imperious form has resulted in better team performances collectively and Liverpool are once again a force to be reckoned with.
Van Dijk is also the backbone of Dutch National side.He is a leader for his club and country.His prime attributes are his giant-like physique,pace,ball playing and aerial prowess.
This season Van Dijk has already played whopping 69 accurate long balls.In addition to that he has made 93 clearances and 34 interceptions.These numbers indicate that even at the age of 33 the Dutchman is not slowing down.
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