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Defenders play a very significant role in a team’s success because of the simple reason that a team cannot lose a football match unless they concede a goal. Defenders only make sure that a team does not concede too many goals or better still, no goal at all.
Centre-backs play a pivotal role in a team’s defence, as they thwart attacks from the opposition, and start attacks from the defensive third. Therefore, a good centre-back can play a decisive role in a team’s win.
There have been some centre-backs, who have performed exceptionally well for their respective clubs and countries this season. They have been supremely consistent and been the primary reasons behind the success of their teams.
We would take a look at 4 such centre-backs in this article:
#1 Virgil van Dijk
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Van Dijk is the best centre-back in the world at the moment. He has played well in almost all the matches this season, and hardly put a step wrong.
He joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2018, and started growing in stature with every match. He performed well in most of the big matches last season, and also featured in the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid, which Liverpool lost 1-3.
However, he has been absolutely top-notch since the beginning of the current season, and appeared in 38 matches for Liverpool. An injury to Lovren meant that he had to take a leading role in Liverpool’s defence. He has performed that duty exceptionally well so far.
Van Dijk is a clean tackler, very fast mover and brilliant in the air. He has actually scored 4 goals with headers this season. His aerial prowess makes him a considerable threat for the opposition, especially from the set-pieces. He has also worked on his physique, and grown stronger physiccally.
He also concedes very few free-kicks in and around the penalty box, and is a very dependable player. Liverpool are in contention for winning the Premier League, and have also reached the quarter final of the Champions League, and Van Dijk deserves has played his part in their great run so far.
#2 Aymeric Laporte
Manchester City signed Laporte from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, and he has performed brilliantly for them since then. He has been exceptionally good since the start of the ongoing season. Laporte is big, physically strong and brilliant in the air. He is also versatile, and can play in a 3-man defence and a 4-man one with equal ease.
He has also played as a left-back occasionally for City, and impressed with his crossing skills too. He has also scored 4 goals from 38 matches this season, and remains a threat for the opposition from the set-pieces. He has become a household name now, and should have a great career ahead of him.
Laporte has been one of the most consistent performers for City this season. Very few players can actually shine in their very first year in the ultra-competitive Premier League, and Laporte has been able to do precisely that.
Laporte has become more athletic and physically stronger this season, and is one of the reasons behind City's ascent to the top of the league table. City have already won the League Cup, and are aiming at an audaciuos quadruple this season.
#3 Clement Lenglet
The mere mention of the name of FC Barcelona propels a football-lover to think of beautiful attacking football. However, there is more to it, as no team can win a title with a poor defence. Barca have had some outstanding defenders in the last decade or so, and each of them has contributed immensely towards their success.
Lenglet was signed from Sevilla at the beginning of the current season, and has been able to perform really well for the Catalan giants since then. He usually prefers to stay deep and make clean tackles. He has also complemented Gerard Pique really well, and lent solidity to Barca’s defence. Lenglet has always been a supremely fit player, and his game-reading has improved considerably.
Samuel Umtiti’s injury has helped his cause and he has played in 34 matches for Barca in the ongoing season. He is also reasonably good in the air, and has been able to score a goal too. His performance has been very helpful in taking Barca to the top of the league table and the quarter final of the UEFA Champions League.
#4 Victor Lindelof
Lindelof has quite probably been the most consistent footballer for Manchester United this season, and risen to prominence in world football. He has been a pillar in United’s defence, and continues to impress in almost every match. He rarely commits mistakes, and makes clean tackles inside the penalty box.
Lindelof was signed by United in 2017, but did not get enough playing minutes in his debut season with them. He has become a regular in the United line-up following an injury to Eric Bailly and the removal of Jose Mourinho. He has already played in 33 matches this season for United.
Lindelof promises to have a very good career with world’s most popular football club in the coming years. He used to play for Benfica previously, but was hardly known to football lovers worldwide. His ascent to prominence has been one of the most positive developments for United this season. United has won 14 of their last 19 matches, and Lindelof has quite possibly been the most significant player in their resurgence.
