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#3 David Alaba and Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
If your team was going to lose Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the same transfer window, that'd be a huge reason to worry under normal circumstances. But the veteran centre-back duo had missed a chunk of the 2020-21 season due to respective injuries, forcing a certain Eder Militao to rise to prominence.
Militao has since nailed down that starting berth at Real Madrid. Los Blancos roped in David Alaba on a free transfer last summer and paired him up with the Brazilian international. The pairing has worked like a charm.
Alaba and Militao pack plenty of pace and this allows them to progress the ball quite efficiently from the back. Due to the same reason, they hold a high line as they have great recovery pace. Both are great at sensing danger and snuffing out opportunities for the opposition.
They are both great at sticking to opposition strikers and are intelligent players who proactively cut passing lanes and make a nuisance of themselves in the defensive third.
#2 Marquinhos - Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain)
With Sergio Ramos arriving in the summer of 2021, Presnel Kimpembe was expected to face ejection from the starting lineup. However, due to the Spanish legend's injury problems, Kimpembe has enjoyed an extensive run in the starting lineup once again and he has made the most of it.
Marquinhos is one of the most technically proficient centre-backs in the world. The PSG captain can play as a midfielder and despite not being the tallest defender around, he showcases great aerial ability. Marquinhos and Kimpembe make for a stable centre-back pairing as the former is right-footed and the latter's preferred foot is his left.
Both players are excellent at passing through the lines and helping PSG play out from the back. Kimpembe has completed a whopping 95.6% of his passes in Ligue 1 this season. He has made 17 appearances so far this term. Marquinhos has a pass completion rate of 93.3%.
#1 Ruben Dias - Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Aymeric Laporte reportedly came close to leaving Manchester City last summer after falling down the pecking order at the club. Laporte had contracted the coronavirus and had a couple of injury issues in the first half of the 2020-21 season.
Ruben Dias was signed in the summer of 2021 to be Laporte's partner but due to the Spaniard's absence, Pep Guardiola had to bring John Stones back. Dias and Stones clicked right away but Laporte has been able to earn his starting berth back this term.
Dias and Laporte make for one of the most balanced centre-back pairings in Europe. Both players are excellent with the ball at their feet. They are both physically dominant players who are strong in the air.
Dias and Laporte are also very intelligent centre-backs who don't rush into tackles or make hasty decisions. Manchester City are cruising at the top of the Premier League right now. They have conceded just 14 goals in 23 matches.
That's five fewer than Liverpool, who have the second-best defensive record in the league. They Merseysiders have only played 22 matches.
