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In modern football, more and more teams are adopting an expansive style of play. Gone are the days when the goalkeeper would telegraph a ball into the opposition half and physically dominant players win over possession and try to create.
Teams these days try to build from the back, stitching passes together starting from their centre-backs and working their way forward. As a result, defenders with good technical skills who are adept at passing the ball around are starting to grow in prominence.
Passing has pretty much become a requisite skill as far as defenders are concerned. Defenders who can't pass the ball around with ease and rely entirely on brawn are almost non-existent now.
On that note, let's take a look at five of the best ball-playing defenders in the world at the moment.
#5 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best passers of the ball in the Premier League. The youngster has already been phenomenal for the Merseysiders. He played a crucial role in their Champions League and Premier League triumphs in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons respectively.
Jurgen Klopp relies heavily on his full-backs to orchestrate play and that's why Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have become so important. Alexander-Arnold's passing range and vision belies his age.
His early pickouts and signature crosses have become part and parcel of how Liverpool break down teams. The 22-year-old is easily one of the best ball-playing defenders in the world.
#4 Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Leonardo Bonucci is 34-years-old but he is still pretty indomitable in the defensive third. One of the best ball-playing centre-backs of his generation, the duo of Chiellini and Bonucci wasn't dribbled past in Italy's triumphant run at Euro 2020.
The Juventus centre-back is widely known for his passing range. His skill on the ball, combined with his passing range and vision, saw La Repubblica call him 'Beckenbonucci', in reference to the legendary Franz Beckenbauer.
Bonucci is a well-rounded centre-back. Not only is he adept at executing his defensive responsibilities and playing the ball out from the back, he is also great at organizing his backline.
He has won nine Serie A titles, four Coppa Italias and five Supercoppa Italias in his club career. Bonucci most recently played a starring role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph. He will go down in history as one of the best Italian defenders of all time and that's saying something.
#3 Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire's stock has risen considerably over the course of the summer. Maguire was sorely missed in the closing stages of the 2020-21 season as he was sidelined with an ankle injury. He also helped transform the England side at Euro 2020 upon his return and played a big hand in the Three Lions' run to the final of the continental competition.
Maguire is an excellent ball-playing centre-back. Playing out from the back is crucial to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tactics and the English centre-back is great with the ball at his feet. He consistently passes the ball between the lines and helps Manchester United maintain the ball high up the pitch with his sweeping skills.
The 28-year-old is also pretty good in a defensive sense and is quite dominant in aerial duels. Now that Manchester United have added yet another ball-playing centre-back in Raphael Varane, they might get even stronger in attack.
#2 David Alaba (Real Madrid)
Austrian all-rounder David Alaba is one of the most versatile players in the world. He can play anywhere on the left flank, in midfield and at centre-back. The 29-year-old is technically proficient and is excellent with the ball at his feet.
Alaba has predominantly played as a centre-back in recent seasons. His ball-playing skills have been crucial to Bayern keeping a high-line as he is able to keep his composure even in high-pressure situations.
Alaba has joined Real Madrid and has inherited the number 4 jersey previously worn by Sergio Ramos. Those are big boots to fill but Alaba definitely has the skillset required to give it a shot and a half.
#1 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
When Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk for £75 million, there was a hint of doubt as to whether he would be able to justify that price tag. However, the Dutchman has truly done that and then some. His arrival had a galvanizing effect on Klopp's side and immediately transformed them into Champions League winners.
The 30-year-old is not only pacy, aggressive and stoic at the back, but he is also excellent in possession. Van Dijk is exceptional at bringing the ball out from the back and spraying passes through the lines to help Liverpool move up the pitch.
He also plays some wonderful long-range balls into the paths of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane and helps Liverpool shift from defence to attack in a jiffy. After spending almost three-quarters of the 2020-21 season sidelined with an injury, Van Dijk has returned and it doesn't look like he's missed a beat.
