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La Liga is one of the most exciting top-flight football competitions in the world. For any entity to survive or thrive, a solid foundation is a necessity. That's why football teams need a strong defence shielding their goal.
If the backline is weak and the defenders get taken apart with ease, they will constantly be under pressure and won't be able to attack with abandon.
The best teams in the history of football have all had extremely efficient defenders. A four-at-the-back system is still commonly used but three-man defences are definitely in vogue too. The bulk of the work in the defensive third is taken care of by centre-backs.
La Liga features some world-class centre-backs
Of course, the full-backs help out too but the centre-backs are more of an immediate impediment in front of goal as far as attackers are concerned. La Liga has been home to some of the best centre-backs in the history of the game and continues to be.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best centre-backs in La Liga in 2021.
#5 Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) and David Alaba (Real Madrid)
Jose Maria Gimenez was immense for Atletico Madrid in the 2020-21 season. Although he did miss a chunk of the campaign due to various injury issues, the Uruguayan international was one of the first names on the team sheet whenever he was available.
Gimenez is a very good ball-playing defender who is also adept when it comes to making tackles and blocks. The 26-year-old is also pretty reliable when it comes to aerial duels. He hasn't exactly kicked on in the same vein this term but the quality is there and he could kick into gear any time.
David Alaba has only spent half a season in La Liga this year. But he has had a massive impact at Real Madrid. Alaba is one of the most versatile players on the planet. He possesses high game intelligence and is extremely good with the ball at his feet.
In addition to being a very solid defender with pace, spatial awareness and aerial ability, Alaba is also a very good ball progressor. With him and Eder Militao patrolling the defensive third, Real Madrid are quick when it comes to turning over possession and breaking on the counter.
#4 Aritz Elustondo (Real Sociedad)
Real Sociedad have fared well in recent seasons. They finished just outside the top four last term and are currently sixth in the ongoing La Liga campaign. But they're definitely a top four contender this term.
Aritz Elustondo has become a key figure in defence for Real Sociedad. The 27-year-old has been able to strike up a very good partnership with Robin Le Normand at the heart of Sociedad's defence.
Despite being just 180 cms tall, Elustondo excels at aerial duels. He is a focused presence on the football pitch and is an excellent passer of the ball as well. Elustondo's last-ditch tackles and ability to step up in crucial situations has been a massive feature of his game in 2021.
#3 Pau Torres (Villarreal)
Pau Torres is one of the best progressive passers among all the defenders in La Liga. There is a feeling that the 24-year-old has not yet unlocked its full potential, but he is already one of the best in the business.
Torres is one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe right now. He was crucial to Villarreal's UEFA Europa League triumph last season. The tall centre-back has to work on his tackling but he tries to make up for it with his positioning and blocking abilities.
Torres is excellent in possession and does a very good job in pushing Villarreal forward with his wonderful line-breaking passes. He might not be elite just yet but he will definitely get there soon.
#2 Jules Kounde (Sevilla)
Sevilla were title contenders in the 2020-21 season. The Andalusians had the third-best defensive record in the league last term. They have the best defensive record in the ongoing season and a lot of credit for that goes to young centre-back Jules Kounde. The Frenchman is one of the best defenders in Europe right now.
He is a well-rounded centre-back with no glaring deficiencies in his game. He is an excellent passer of the ball and plays some fantastic vertical passes which help Sevilla break down other teams.
The 23-year-old has struck up an effective centre-back partnership with Diego Carlos and the pair have done a fantastic job for Sevilla this year. Standing at 178 cms, Kounde is not a very tall centre-back.
However, he still managed to win 60% of his aerial duels in the 2020-21 season. For context, Ruben Dias, who was named the Premier League Player of the Season in 2020-21, won 61% of his aerial duels.
#1 Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid should, under normal circumstances, ought to have been heavily affected by the departures of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos in the same transfer window. However, Los Blancos had plenty of time to adjust to the absence of the two giants in the 2020-21 season itself.
Ramos and Varane missed a chunk of last season through injuries. Brazilian international Eder Militao joined hands with Nacho and did a commendable job at the heart of Real Madrid's defence.
Militao is an excellent tackler and is a very pacy defender. He can keep up with the fastest attackers in the league and is also massive at aerial duels. The 23-year-old is also a good passer of the ball and is very effective at carrying the ball out from the back and releasing his teammates on the counter.
