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There is always going to be a debate regarding the best players in each position, with football changing at an exponential rate.
In the world we now live in, opinions can change almost daily, with players going from highly-rated to highly-rated in the span of just a couple of weeks.
With that being said, keeping in mind the criteria such as performance levels, importance to the side, current form, and longevity, here's a look at the 10 best defenders in world football at the moment:
#10 Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Perhaps a surprise to many on this list, but Antonio Valencia has been one of Manchester United’s most influential and important defenders in recent years.
Ever since he converted from a right winger to a right-back, the Ecuadorian has seen his stock rise and has been putting in remarkable performances for the Red Devils.
Valencia has the ability to stride forward and does well to get in among the United attack, but he also has a fantastic aggressiveness in defence, and with his pace, seldom does he get beaten in a one-on-one situation.
The 32-year old has been a Red Devil since 2009, and an extremely crucial one at that. Valencia is a two-time Premier League winner and has also won 1 FA Cup, 2 EFL Cups, 3 FA Community Shields, and 1 UEFA Europa League title.
Having made 312 appearances for Manchester United across all competitions, Antonio Valencia has undeniably made his mark in the world of football, and clearly deserves this spot on the list.
#9 Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich)
The German stalwart has once again had a stellar season. He is as reliable as ever on the pitch and always keeps a calm and composed head when faced with high-pressure situations.
Hummels is an old-school defender in the sense that he values the art of tackling and is exceptionally strong in the challenge. There are seldom players who can beat him aerially, while only few can get past him when he is in form.
Like with most Germans in the National Team, Hummels can use both feet to a ridiculously high standard and has the vision and execution to pick out a pass successfully. When you watch Bayern formulate attacks, it is usually one of the centre-backs to kickstart the move, which Hummels gets involved in on a regular basis.
#8 Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Giorgio Chiellini has been a part of the Juventus team for 12 years now and seems to be improving year on year.
It is hard to believe that the Italian is 33-years-old, but that does not stop Chiellini from making sure that his performance levels reach Juventus' required standard. He led his team from the back to two UEFA Champions League finals - both of which, unfortunately for the Old Lady’s fans, ended in defeat.
However, Chiellini does not get worn down by mental negativity and has bounced back. While Juve have been struggling to stamp their authority on the league this season, with Napoli currently leading Serie A, Chiellini has remained the same and kept things tight at the back.
Every football fan will know who Chiellini is, purely because of the sturdiness and consistency of his performances. He is a true Italian defender and should be remembered as one.
# 7 Diego Godín (Atlético Madrid)
The Uruguayan international might be soon approaching 32 years of age, but Diego Godín has been as reliable and consistent as ever this season for Atlético Madrid.
To put his defensive capabilities in comparison to one of the finest defenders of this generation, Godín completes 2.0 interceptions per game over 90 minutes. Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid completes 2.1. Not only that, but the two La Liga defenders successfully complete the same amount of tackles per game.
What stands Godín out from other La Liga defenders is his knack of being in the right place at the right time, which is shown by his 5.1 clearances per game; an incredible number of clearances to thwart the danger away.
He might be nearing the end of his career, but the Atlético Madrid rock still has plenty to give.
#6 Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
A relatively new addition to the top 10, but Joshua Kimmich is an outstanding footballer that deserves his spot on the list. The Bayern defender-cum-midfielder is Pep Guardiola’s dream player, given he can in a similar way to Philipp Lahm in the sense of occupying three positions at once.
Kimmich can play at right-back, defensive midfield and in central midfield. This season, under Jupp Heynckes, he has played mostly as a right back, where he has recorded the second most amount of assists (6) in the Bundesliga.
Every time you watch the German he is a breath of fresh air. While his defending is not yet as good as Lahm’s, he possesses such a lethal right foot when bombarding down the flank.
At only 22 years old, Kimmich has his whole career ahead of him, but he is already in the form of his life this season and is only getting better. He is definitely one to watch if you are not aware of him.
#5 Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
The Chelsea defender is currently the longest-reigning player at the club after John Terry left last summer.
The Spaniard has been an incredible servant since arriving from Marseille in 2012, and one that Chelsea fans cherish having in their side.
Incredibly, Azpilicueta has played across the whole back four/five ins his five years at the club and has looked extremely comfortable wherever he has played. He is one of the Premier League all-time great defenders and is still underrated by fans outside of England.
#4 Milan Skriniar (Inter)
A surprising, but wholeheartedly deserved, player to feature on this list is Milan Skriniar, recently signed from Sampdoria by Inter.
The Slovakian international has been at the heart of Inter's defence and has impressed hugely, allowing Inter to cement themselves in the top four and challenge for the Scudetto.
The Nerazzurri have only conceded 15 goals this season in Italy's domestic competition, the second-least amount in the league, joint with Juventus.
Skriniar has eyes on him from all around Europe now after his immense rise within six months of playing for Inter.
He might only be 22 years old, but has an incredible composure in his play and oozes confidence when bringing out the ball from the defence. Throughout the season so far the Slovak has been a key player in launching counter attacks from deep.
Skriniar has a bright future, but there is no reason why he should leave Inter at any point in the near future given how well Luciano Spalletti has done so far.
#3 Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
Koulibaly has been exceptional this season, helping Napoli to keep their defence and tight and, in turn, conceding the least amount of goals in Serie A.
Most title challenges are laid on the foundations of a solid and organised defence, which is what Napoli now have under Maurizio Sarri.
Koulibaly also has a fantastic knack of scoring goals for Napoli with four being scored by the 26-year-old this season already. He shares a similar characteristic with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos.
There is very little chance of powering Koulibaly off the ball or getting the better of him in the air - he is incredibly strong and has the required pace to match with most forwards.
What is possibly the most impressive of all, is the intelligence Koulibaly has in terms of knowing where to be at the right time. The Senegalese international has fantastic spatial awareness and rarely gets caught out.
#2 Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona)
Samuel Umtiti has made a gigantic jump in his development this season, and it's a shame that he is currently out through injury.
The Frenchman has played a pivotal part in Barcelona's success so far, with the Catalan club leading La Liga by some margin and shutting out Real Madrid.
Umtiti has the best passing range out of any centre-back in the world at this moment in time, a major reason why Barcelona decided to sign him.
The centre-back has a wicked turn of speed as well, enabling him to chase back effectively and recover when they are facing a counter attack. Umtiti looks destined to captain Barcelona one day.
The former Lyon defender is only 24 years old and has some time to go until he is firmly in his peak years. There is still lots more to come from Umtiti, which is quite scary given how astute he is right now.
#1 Gerard Piqué (Barcelona)
When you rank 10th among the most capped FC Barcelona players of all-time, you have to bow down to such incredible consistency in their level of performances. Gerard Piqué is the ultimate professional and has been for many years; the Spaniard is a driving force for both club and country and maintains professionalism at all times.
Piqué has seen it all at Barcelona, especially the two bleak years in recent seasons, but he has helped rejuvenate his team and now they look like they are on their way to yet another Spanish LaLiga title.
He is one of few Barcelona players who has the height to command the ball in the air and be a defensive rock when defending crosses, and he is just that. Piqué is also deceptively quick across the ground and is always ready to make a last-ditch tackle to thwart any danger.
Piqué is simply the best defender in the world right now.
