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We've all heard the cliche about how attack wins you games and defence wins you titles. We've been over it a ridiculous number of times but it's a cliche because it is true. Having exceptional defenders at the back can help keep a team in the toughest of games.
With the full-backs tasked with shuttling up and down the flanks, the bulk of the defensive duties end up falling on the centre-backs. They are the ones who have to jostle opponents off the ball, make last-ditch challenges and also get in the way of shots.
With most teams adopting an expansive style of play, gone are the days when the ball was hoofed into the middle of the park to spark off a string of aerial duels to win possession. Teams play out from the back these days and thus centre-backs need to be good ball progressors as well these days.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best centre-back partnerships in football right now.
#5 Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip (Liverpool)
Liverpool were dealt an awful set of cards in the 2020-21 season. Going into the campaign as the reigning Premier League champions, the Merseysiders lost all three of their first-choice centre-backs to long-term injuries. Jurgen Klopp's side suffered greatly in their absence.
However, Liverpool are back in the title race this term and that has a lot to do with the return of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. The Dutchman does seem to be a bit rusty at times but that's expected when a player returns from an ACL injury. But when he is in the zone, there are few defenders in the world that are better than him.
Having added Ibrahima Konate to the squad last summer, Klopp has plenty of options at centre-back. He has chosen to partner Matip up with Van Dijk and it has proven to be a great decision. Matip is excellent at carrying the ball forward and is a no-nonsense defender who can hold the fort down at the back as well.
Liverpool have kept 11 clean sheets in the Premier League this term and Matip and Van Dijk have started together in eight of those games.
#4 Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
The first thing Thomas Tuchel did at Chelsea since arriving in January 2021 to replace Frank Lampard was steady their defence. He brought Rudiger back from obscurity and partnered him up alongside Thiago Silva. The duo played a key role in Chelsea's 2020-21 Champions League triumph.
Rudiger is a warrior-like presence at the back. He never gives up in a duel and is a tenacious defender who does not mind putting his body in harm's way to protect his team. He is also good at carrying the ball forward and spraying some lovely diagonal passes as well.
Thiago Silva is 37-years-old now but not only has he not looked weary because of his age, he has also brought all of his experience to the fore for Chelsea. The Blues haven't been at their very best in recent weeks but the quality of their centre-backs is there for all to see.
#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.
