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In football, the role of a defender has always been vital. While a lot of attention has been given to forwards and goals scored, but keeping things neat at the back remains a key aspect of the game.
In the course of history, players who have been very popular are attackers. Watching fluid team play and the final end product of a goal is easily memorable.
The game requires defenders to do the dirty work on the field. This is tackling, shielding and a lot of man marking. As a result, defenders are required to have certain physical or mental attributes that give them an edge over their opponents to ensure efficiency at the back. For instance, central defenders ideally are the tallest players on the field. This height advantage is crucial especially when it comes to winning aerial duels or defending set pieces.
In the modern game, a lot more is required of defenders. They are supposed to perform their primary duties on top of other additional team roles. Nowadays, managers are keen to strengthen the abilities of defenders in terms of shooting, passing, ball distribution, crossing, and attacking during set pieces.
Speed is a quality usually associated with attackers and wingers, and strength is more of a defender's forte. These three defenders have over the years proven to be speed merchants.
#3 Hector Bellerin
When it comes to fast players in Arsenal's squad, the Spanish right-back ranks up there with the very best. The 23-year-old full-back has made a reputation of being quick on the ball, and getting forward with devastating intensity. He earned his competition debut for The Gunners in 2013, and has gone on to cement his place as a regular in the team.
Bellerin started his early career as an attack-minded winger at Barcelona, and that is when he developed speed as a key aspect to his game. He has made 175 appearances for Arsenal, and scored 7 times. Bellerin has also won 2 FA Cups, and a Community Shield title while in North London.
According to the Premier League, he has made 190 tackles with an impressive success rate of 79 percent. Additionally, he has so far made 180 interceptions.
#2 Raphael Varane
The 6 ft 3 Real Madrid and French centre-back is one of the most exciting defenders in the world. He is a towering player who can absolutely sprint to thwart opposition counter attacks. Varane has a rare quality not particularly associated with centre backs - he is pretty fast for his position, and tall as well.
Varane joined Real Madrid from Ligue 1 as an 18-year-old, and has played nearly 250 matches for the reigning European champions. In November 2015, he made an impressive dash in 11 seconds to cover the full length of the field, and made a goal line clearance when Madrid faced PSG.
To recover the ball, he has out-sprinted the very best attackers in LaLiga, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Antoine Griezmann. At international level, he is a World Cup winner and was a key part in France's win in 2018. Spanish newspaper Marca once recorded his speed to be approximately 34.04 km/hr.
#1 Jordi Alba
He is one of the fastest players at Barcelona, and has 67 international caps to his name. Alba is a flying left back who loves to attack and provide that extra offensive option. He scored the second goal as Spain beat Italy 4-0 in the 2012 European Championship final. At Barca, he has won 13 titles, having established himself as a starter in the last 5 seasons.
Alba is particularly gifted when it comes to accelerating from zero to full speed. In some instances, players have had a few yards head start, but he still gets to the ball first. At 5 ft 7, Alba is able to fully maintain momentum even at full flight. Marca records his speed at 34.3 km/hr.
Alba has over the years put his speed to good use, especially when making recoveries, closing down players, and attacking. The Spanish international is one of the fastest players in the world, and has continuously excelled while at it.
