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#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.
