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We've reached the home straight of the 2020-21 Premier League season and have witnessed some young players delivering on their promise this campaign. A few youngsters have broken onto the scene and made a name for themselves, while a few others are already growing in reputation as being among the best in the business.
A team's success over the course of a season is dependent on its defensive strength. A strong rearguard is crucial for any team that wants to mount title challenges. In the modern era, where more and more teams are opting to play an expansive brand of football, the role of the defender has become all the more important.
Premier League has a plethora of young talent
These days, defenders need to be just as good with the ball at their feet as they are at quelling any danger that befalls them. The Premier League has a treasure trove of young talent and today we take a look at five of the best young defenders in the English top-flight.
#5 Ben Godfrey (Everton)
Everton were one of the sides that enjoyed a great start to the season. They were able to carry the momentum from the transfer window into the first half of the season. 23-year-old Ben Godfrey was one of the lesser-known signings from last summer's transfer window but he has had a great debut season in the Premier League.
The young, versatile defender has played in all positions across the backline for Everton this season and has been equally effective everywhere. Godfrey, whose preferred role is at centre-back, also has two assists to his name in the Premier League.
Everton paid Norwich City £20 million to sign Godfrey last summer and he has proven to be worth every single penny to Ancelotti's men. Godfrey has helped Carlo Ancelotti's men keep 10 cleansheets from 28 appearances this term.
With a tackle success rate and aerial duel win rate of 63%, Godfrey is quite a tough nut to crack at the back for the Toffees.
#4 Reece James (Chelsea)
Chelsea wing-back Reece James is one of the most talented players to have graduated from the Blues' academy in recent times. The 21-year-old is solid in a defensive sense, has electric pace and can whip in some absolute beauties from the right wing.
It was a bit of a surprise that Reece James wasn't initially being chosen by Thomas Tuchel. He has scored a goal and provided two assists from right-back this season. James has also helped his side keep nine cleansheets in 30 appearances in the Premier League.
He has a tackle success rate of 64% and is pretty good at aerial duels as well, winning 35 of 67. He has also made 135 recoveries this season, which exemplifies the youngster's attitude and tenacity.
#3 Wesley Fofana (Leicester City)
Leicester City signed Wesley Fofana from St. Etienne in October 2020 and being a relatively lesser-known entity at the time, it became one of those signings that slipped under the radar. However, it didn't stay that way for long as Fofana was quick to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with at the back for Brendan Rodgers' men.
Fofana is already adept at reading the game and snuffing out the danger in an effective manner. His performances have been quite incredible for a 20-year-old who is playing his debut season in the Premier League.
Fofana is a top one-on-one defender and has won 71% of his attempted tackles. He has helped Leicester City keep six cleansheets in 26 appearances this season and has 169 recoveries so far this season.
Fofana is an aggressive defender and is certain to go from strength to strength and become one of the best centre-backs in the league in the coming years.
#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has not had the best season and has often received criticism for his defensive abilities. But on his day, Trent Alexander-Arnold is a handful to deal with.
The Liverpool right-back contributes more in attack than in defense with his David Beckham-esque crosses from the right flank regularly catching opposition defenders off-guard. Trent hasn't been afforded the freedom to attack with abandon this season in the absence of Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip and this has greatly curtailed his effectiveness.
The Englishman has still racked up six assists and scored two goals in 33 appearances in the Premier League this season. He has whipped in 264 crosses this season with 20% accuracy. Though he is not a great tackler or dominant in aerial duels, Arnold has made 234 recoveries over the course of the season.
If he can iron out a few shortcomings in the defensive aspects of his game, Trent could go on to become the greatest right-back of his generation.
#1 Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
Arguably the best one-on-one defender in the Premier League, Manchester United's very own 'spiderman' Aaron Wan-Bissaka is adding to his attacking game and has been one of the most improved players this season.
While he has always been a nightmare to go up against in one-on-ones, Wan-Bissaka has been criticized for his inability to contribute in the final third. However, he has been far more enterprising in attack for Manchester United this term and has scored two goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances.
Wan-Bissaka has helped his side keep 13 cleansheets as well. The 23-year-old has won 88 tackles at a success rate of 61%. He has also made 62 interceptions and made 177 recoveries.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka still has room for improvement. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United players are definitely getting better on an individual basis and being just 23-years-old, Wan-Bissaka has enough time to make a mark at the Theater of Dreams.
