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PES 2019 hit the stores on 28 August 2018 for PC, Xbox One and PS4, and Konami has announced that this year's iteration would introduce a host of changes to the game, which are all set to improve the overall gameplay experience. Furthermore, the game also features a host of new licenses, bringing the game one step closer to a realistic football experience.
Every team needs a strong back line as nine times out of ten, having top-rated defenders turn the tides in your favour and ultimately, win you crucial matches. People blocking shots and covering wide areas in short durations are extremely useful when playing against strong opponents, and in this article, let us look closer at the ten best defenders in Pro Evolution Soccer 2019.
Note: All stats are taken from PESMASTER.
#10 Thiago Silva - 87 Overall
Thiago Silva's overall dropped from 88 to 87 in PES 2019. The 34-year-old Brazilian centre-back currently plies his trade for Paris Saint Germain in Ligue 1 and is an integral part of the French side. In PES 2019, Silva has excellent stats for heading and jumping, making him very effective during corners.
The Brazilian's passing skills are rated over 80, making him ideal for launching long balls into the opponent's box. Additionally, the player boasts interceptions, man marking and captaincy skills.
Team: PSG
Defensive Prowess - 91
Ball Winning - 89
#9 Samuel Umtiti - 87 Overall
Samuel Umtiti had a very good FIFA World Cup for France and received a rating boost in PES 2019, raising his overall from 84 to 87. The 25-year-old French defender has huge potential and is a great buy while playing the Master League. Like Thiago Silva, Umtiti also boasts good stats for heading and jumping, which ensure that he always stands tall during corners. Man marking and interceptions are his player skills in PES 2019.
Team: FC Barcelona
Defensive Prowess - 87
Ball Winning - 90
#8 Diego Godin - 87 Overall
Fantastic performances last season for Atletico Madrid and Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup ensured that Diego Godin retained his overall in PES 2019. The 32-year-old Uruguayan defender is equally good in the air and on the ground, making him a complete centre-back. Godin's skills in PES 2019 include heading, man marking, fighting spirit and captaincy.
Team: KB Red White (Atletico Madrid)
Defensive Prowess - 94
Ball Winning - 90
#7 Giorgio Chiellini - 87 Overall
There was a time when Giorgio Chiellini constantly featured 90+ overall in PES. However, age has caught up with the Italian defender, and now, Chiellini receives 87 overall, 1 point less than the overall seen on PES 2018. The Italian is extremely good at physical contact and can at times play as an extra frontman during those attacks in the final minutes of the game. Alongside man marking, interceptions and captaincy, Chiellini also boasts the acrobatic clearance skill in PES 2019.
Team: PM Black White (Juventus)
Defensive Prowess - 91
Ball Winning - 93
#6 Virgil van Dijk - 87 Overall
Virgil van Dijk's fantastic performances last season ensured that he received a rating upgrade, taking his overall to 87 from 83 in PES 2018. The 27-year-old Dutch centre-back currently plies his trade for Liverpool in the Premier League. He possesses decent pace and ball control, and one could even use him as an attacking full-back to add width to the attack. His skills include heading and man marking.
Team: Liverpool
Defensive Prowess - 90
Ball Winning - 90
#5 Jerome Boateng - 88 Overall
Jerome Boateng's 88 overall came as a surprise to many, considering his average 17/18 season along with an abysmal FIFA World Cup with Germany. In PES 2019, the 30-year-old boasts excellent stats for physical contact and heading, making him deadly both in the air and on the ground. Furthermore, with Boateng's 80+ stats for passing, one could start counter attacks by launching long balls upfield within moments.
The German would be available as a free agent as Bayern Munich is not licensed in PES 2019.
Team: Free Agent (Bayern Munich)
Defensive Prowess - 91
Ball Winning - 94
#4 Marcelo - 88 Overall
Marcelo retains his 88 overall in PES 2019. The 30-year-old Brazilian left-back currently plies his trade for Los Blancos in the Spanish LaLiga. His defensive prowess and ball winnings stats are no way close to the 90s; however, his other skills make him a must-have in any team in Pro Evolution Soccer 2019.
The Brazilian boasts 80+ stats for passing, shooting, dribbling, attacking play and crossing, which allows him to play as a wide midfielder up the pitch to whip those early crosses into the box. Marcelo has a host of passing skills in PES 2019 along with the all-important pinpoint crosser skill.
Team: MD White (Real Madrid)
Defensive Prowess - 79
Ball Winning - 82
#3 Gerard Pique - 88 Overall
Gerard Pique received an upgrade of 1 point, taking his overall to 88 in PES 2019. The 31-year-old centre-back from Spain possesses very good stats for passing and ball control apart from defending, allowing him to play as a defensive midfielder to press higher up the pitch. Pique's heading and jumping are rated 88, which make him an excellent goalscorer during corners; while his 88-rated physical contact stat makes him a formidable force in the heart of the defence.
Team: FC Barcelona
Defensive Prowess - 91
Ball Winning - 90
#2 Mats Hummels - 89 Overall
Hummels received an upgrade to his overall, taking it from 87 to 89 in PES 2019. The 30-year-old German centre-back has extraordinary stats for defensive prowess, truly making him a wall on the pitch. Mats Hummels' 90 rating for lofted pass combined with his low lofted pass and weighted pass skills make launching deep high balls a breeze. Furthermore, the German boasts man marking, interception and heading skills in PES 2019.
Like Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels is available as a free agent in PES 2019.
Team: Free Agent (Bayern Munich)
Defensive Prowess - 96
Ball Winning - 90
#1 Sergio Ramos - 89 Overall
Like Mats Hummels, Sergio Ramos too features 89 overall and is the top-rated defender in PES 2019. The 32-year-old central defender has decent stats for pace, passing, and shooting, which allows him to play as an extra striker during the dying embers of a game. With near-perfect stats for jumping and heading, the Spaniard is deadly during both offensive and defensive corners. Additionally, Sergio Ramos boasts man marking, interception, and acrobatic clearance skills.
Team: MD White (Real Madrid)
Defensive Prowess - 89
Ball Winning - 90
