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Sergio Ramos is one the best centre-backs in the world and is also a key figure at Real Madrid ever since he signed for the club from Sevilla in 2005.
The Spaniard has played 576 times for the club so far and helped the Los Blancos win four LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies along with two Copa del Rey and three UEFA Super Cups. He has been a part of the FIFPro World XI on nine occasions and also won the LaLiga best defender award four times.
However, he is 32-years-old now and is clearly on a decline. Real Madrid cannot afford to depend on him for long and need a new defender to replace their superstar.
Right on this note, here is a list of three centre-backs who can potentially replace Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid:
#3 Jonathan Tah
Jonathan Tah is currently among the best defenders in the Bundesliga and is a regular in Bayer Leverkusen's starting line-up ever since joining the club in 2015.
Known for his strength, athleticism, and dominance in the air, Tah completed 53.9 passes per game in the league this year along with 8 tackles and 38 clearances.
The 22-year-old has played 70 games for the Die Werkself thus far, scoring 1 goal. He was the part of Germany's Euro 2016 squad, however, he narrowly missed out on Die Mannschaft's final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Jonathan Tah signed a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen last season and that could work as a major stumbling block in securing his services. However, if Tah makes it clear that he wants to leave for pastures new, the Die Werkself would naturally demand a huge fee for their prized asset.
#2 Matthijs de Ligt
Ajax's centre-back is among the best young defenders in Europe right now and he already capped eleven times for Netherlands' senior team despite being just 19 years of age.
Matthijs de Ligt is with the Amsterdam based club since the age of nine and made his senior debut during the 2016-17 season. He impressed in the 11 appearances he made that season and won the AFC Ajax Talent for the Future 2016 accolade for his performances.
The Dutch international continued his growth the following season and cemented his place in the Ajax starting XI. He played 33 league games during the 2017-2018 season and won AFC Ajax Talent of the year 2018 along with the Dutch Footballer of the Year Bronze Boot.
The 19-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Ajax arena since the last few weeks and it will be interesting to see whether Ajax will be able to keep hold of their talented youngster beyond this season.
#1 Joe Gomez
After being unlucky with injuries for the last two seasons, Gomez is fully fit now and has created a formidable partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk in the middle of Liverpool's defence.
The 21-year old is a versatile defender who is capable of playing anywhere across the backline. His strength in the air and ability to read the game is exceptional, whilst being very comfortable with the ball at his feet for someone of his physically imposing frame.
Gomez has completed 565 passes in the Premier League this season with, an impressive passing accuracy of 87.3 percent. He also made 34 clearances and won 67 percent of his tackles.
The young English defender is one of the best young defenders in the world right now and will be a perfect long-term replacement for the ageing Sergio Ramos. However, the Los Blancos need to offer a huge amount of money to tempt Liverpool for selling their talented youngster.
