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The modern centre-back position is very unique. Earlier, the defender's job was very simple - to prevent the opposition from scoring. However, the centre-backs are now judged on their contribution when in possession as well as their ability to defend. Often the best centre-back pairings consist of a commanding no-nonsense defender alongside a defender good with the ball at his feet.
Which teams have the most valuable centre-back pairings in the world?
In today's transfer market, centre-backs are valued just as much as attackers. Earlier, there was a clear disparity in the valuation, as attackers were considered to be more expensive. However, the recent transfers of Virgil van Dijk, Harry Maguire and Ruben Dias have proven that clubs are willing to spend a lot to find the perfect fit at the back.
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The following list ranks the five most valuable defensive pairings in football. Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt is joint top in terms of value (€75 million), but misses out as his partners have low market value. Inter's trio of Milan Skriniar (€60 million), Alessandro Bastoni (€60 million) and Stefan de Vrij (€50 million) have not been included in the list as they are not a centre-back 'pairing'.
Without further delay, let's delve straight into it:
#5 Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernandez (FC Bayern Munich) - €105 million
Dayot Upamecano followed his manager Julian Nagelsmann to Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig this summer. The 22-year-old Frenchman made 41 appearances for Leipzig in the 2020-21 Bundesliga season. He is rated as one of the best young centre-backs in the world.
Upamecano ranked in the top 10 (among all players) in the Bundesliga in 2020-21 for progressive carrying distance as well as passes into the final third. The €60 million rated centre-back also boasted a passing percentage of 89.1% in the league in the 2020-21 campaign. Upamecano will be eager to showcase his talent at the Allianz Arena over the course of the 2021-22 Bundesliga season.
Lucas Hernandez is his partner at the back. The 25-year-old defender joined Bayern Munich from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a fee of €80 million. He has been deployed as a centre-back as well as a left-back at times.
Following the departure of Jerome Boateng as well as David Alaba this summer, Hernandez will look to secure his spot at the heart of Bayern's defense. The French international, who is valued at €45 million, will hope for an injury-free season so that he can prove his worth. Left-footed centre-backs are short in supply and Hernandez has all the qualities required to succeed and fill the void left by Alaba's departure.
Niklas Sule is the player on the sidelines who will be hoping to displace one of the €105 million duo. He has struggled with his fair share of injuries too, which could make this task difficult. As things stand, Upamecano and Hernandez seem to be the preferred centre-back pairing.
Upamecano has seamlessly fit into the new-look Bayern defense, playing the entire ninety minutes of both their Bundesliga games as well as the DFL-Supercup match against Dortmund. However, Hernandez remains sidelined due to an injury.
Bayern will be hoping the duo can establish themselves even further in the ongoing season.
#4 Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos (Sevilla) - €105 million
Jules Kounde is a hot prospect among centre-backs in Europe. The 22-year-old defender rejected Tottenham earlier in the window and is now being courted by Chelsea. He made 49 appearances last season for Sevilla, and is widely known for his ability to drive forward with the ball.
Kounde, who is valued at €60 million, ranked sixth among all players in the 2020-21 La Liga season for progressive carrying distance. He also maintained an incredible 90.7 per cent pass accuracy over the course of the season.
Although the France international does not tackle frequently, his aggressive style of defending is desired by coaches.
Diego Carlos, who made 46 appearances in all competitions in 2020-21, partners Kounde in the heart of the Sevilla defense. The €45 million rated Brazilian boasts impressive passing accuracy similar to his partner, completing 90.8 per cent of his passes in the 2020-21 La Liga season.
The duo, who possess a combined value of €105 million, are an integral part of Julen Lopetegui's team that builds out from the back. While Kounde is inexperienced and rash at times, Carlos is in his prime and composed.
Both started Sevilla's first game of the 2021-22 La Liga season against Rayo Vallecano, maintaining a clean sheet in a 3-0 win.
#3 Ruben Dias and John Stones (Manchester City) - €105 million
Ruben Dias' impact at centre-back for Manchester City was nothing short of incredible. The 24-year-old completely changed the defensive outlook of the Citizens as they marched to the 2020-21 Premier League title. Dias made 50 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City in 2020-21, and was a rock in their Champions League run which saw them reach the final.
The Portuguese also capped off the season by winning the Premier League Player of the Season, which has undoubtedly added to his existing value of €75 million. Often hailed as the perfect centre-back for a Pep Guardiola-coached side, Dias completed 93.5 per cent of his passes. He is also ranked second among all players in the 2020-21 Premier League for progressive carrying distance.
John Stones is someone who rose like a phoenix from the ashes. He was often caught out in possession, and his weak frame restricted him to a substitute in the 2019-20 season. Following the arrival of Ruben Dias in the summer of 2020, Stones was linked with a move away from Manchester City. However, the 27-year-old was a revelation in the 2020-21 campaign, often partnering Dias as the other centre-back.
The Englishman was so good in the 2020-21 Premier League season that he boasted the highest pass accuracy in the league. Stones, who is valued at €30 million, completed 94.3 per cent of his passes, which means this was a dream pairing for a possession-based side. Despite making 22 just appearances in the league, he ranked seventh for progressive carrying distance among all players.
Following a rocky start to the season, Manchester City will be hoping the €105 million duo can start together soon. Stones is yet to make an appearance in the new season due to his involvement with England at the Euros, while Dias has featured in all three games for City. Aymeric Laporte (€45 million) is not included as he is not a regular on the side.
#2 Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) - €115 million
Marquinhos signed for PSG in 2013. The 27-year-old centre-back's contract runs all the way to 2024. He took over as club captain following the departure of Thiago Silva ahead of the 2020-21 season.
The Brazilian made 40 appearances for PSG last season, slotting into midfield when required too. Marquinhos' consistent performances at the highest level have seen him amass a transfer value of €75 million, which is the joint highest among centre-backs in the world. His 93.1 per cent passing accuracy is excellent, and the centre-back's influence cannot be downplayed as he boasts the highest points per game in Ligue 1 over the 2020-21 season.
Presnel Kimpembe is a centre-back who is a product of PSG's youth academy. The 26-year-old is a strong and fast defender who is very comfortable on the ball. In fact, the €40 million rated player had an astonishing pass accuracy of 96 per cent in Ligue 1 last season. His left foot also permits various other passing angles. To add to this, Kimpembe also made 87 tackles and interceptions in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, which made the French international indispensable at the back.
The arrival of Sergio Ramos will provide the €115 million duo with some competition. The legendary Spanish centre-back's persistent injury problems could mean the current centre-back pairing can continue nonetheless.
However, Marquinhos is yet to make an appearance this season due to his involvement with Brazil in the Copa America. Kimpembe, meanwhile, has started all three domestic league games so far for PSG and has even captained the side in his centre-back partner's absence.
Having lost out on the league title to Lille last time out, the centre-back duo will be hoping to regain the crown this time. They will also have their sights set on the Champions League trophy.
#1 Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane (Manchester United) - €120 million
Harry Maguire joined Manchester United in 2019. To this date, the 28-year-old is the most expensive centre-back, as his move from Leicester City cost €87 million. Maguire is currently the club captain of the Red Devils and is a mainstay in defense. In fact, he has already made 108 appearances for Manchester United.
Aerial duels are Maguire's biggest asset, as he won 77.5 per cent of his aerial duels in the Premier League in 2020-21. The €50 million rated centre-back is also an excellent progressor of the ball, as he ranked third among all players in the league for progressive carrying distance. The England international has been paired with both Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly over the past two seasons, but has a new partner for the next campaign.
Raphael Varane has joined Manchester United from Real Madrid ahead of the 2021-22 season. The 28-year-old centre-back is widely regarded as one of the best in the world in his position. Varane perfectly complements Maguire's playing style and will be hoping to emulate the formidable partnership he formed with Sergio Ramos, back when the duo were at Real Madrid.
Due to his contract situation, Manchester United were able to sign the €70 million-rated centre-back on a cut-price deal. The French international boasted an impressive pass accuracy of 91.1 per cent in La Liga in 2020-21, and also won 75.3 per cent of his aerial duels.
Although the €120 million duo have not played together as of yet, they are the clear first-choice favorites. While Maguire has carried his form into the new season, Varane has begun training with the Red Devils and could be in line to make his debut soon. This centre-back partnership has the potential to be the best in the Premier League.
