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#3 Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain)
France has produced an array of highly talented young centre-backs in recent times. Presnel Kimpembe is chief among them. The Paris Saint-Germain defender is a physically imposing, aggressive centre-back who has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best attackers in the game.
Kimpembe is very tidy in possession and averages 70 passes per game over the last year. He boasts an incredibly high pass completion rate of 95.7% in the Ligue 1 this term. At 26 years of age, Kimpembe is set to hit his peak soon and there's no doubt that he will get even better in the coming years.
In addition to being a great passer of the ball, Kimpembe is pretty good at tackling and at aerial duels.
#2 Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Manchester City have quite a few world-class centre-backs on their payroll. Chief among them is Aymeric Laporte. Interestingly, the Spaniard had been linked with an exit this past summer after falling down the pecking order last term.
Multiple injuries and fitness issues caused Laporte to be sidelined for extended periods of time in the 2020-21 season. As a result, John Stones had taken his place in the starting XI. But Laporte has managed to earn back his place in the starting XI.
He has been excellent for Manchester City this term alongside Ruben Dias. Laporte, like the other centre-backs on this list, is a wonderful distributor of the ball. He has attempted 88.25 passes on average per 90 minutes in the last year and has completed 95.2% of his passes in the Premier League this season.
Laporte is easily one of the most coveted centre-backs in the world right now.
#1 David Alaba (Real Madrid)
David Alaba has proven to be an inspired signing for Real Madrid. The Austrian international is one of the most versatile footballers on the planet and that is, in no short part, thanks to his incredible technical ability.
Alaba was an out-and-out left-back in his younger days. He can play as a left winger and as a central midfielder. So obviously his passing and game intelligence are on a different level altogether. His technical qualities have helped him become one of the best centre-backs in the world.
He is a very assured presence in the backline and doesn't dive into tackles. Alaba is also excellent at keeping the ball and at distributing it. He has completed 92.7% of his attempted passes for Real Madrid in La Liga this season.
In addition to being a well-rounded defender, Alaba can also contribute in the final third. He has scored a goal and provided three assists in 18 league appearances for Los Blancos this season.
