'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Ruben Dias
Since joining the Premier League in 2020 from Benfica, Ruben Dias has completely transformed the Manchester City backline. Dias has been a stellar signing and he has proven his abilities over the past one and a half seasons he has spent in Manchester.
The defender has the calmness and ability to jump into tackles at the right moment to help marshal the defense, which Manchester City have missed since the retirement of Vincent Kompany.
Aside from being a defensive rock, Dias also exhibits good ability on the ball. His ball-playing and ball-carrying skills are extremely important in the system of a manager like Pep Guardiola. Statistically, Dias has a total carry distance of 5797m, with 369.2m total distance/90. He also has a progressive distance/90 coverage of 236.2m with a completion rate of 63.8 carries/90.
#2 Aymeric Laporte
Ruben Dias' Manchester City team-mate joins the list in the form of Spanish centre-back Aymeric Laporte. Laporte has always been a defender with strong control of the ball and is traditionally known for his ability to help in his side's build-up play. As a result, Laporte is a trusted member of the Manchester City lineup under Pep Guardiola. But poor form and inconsistent defensive displays were major reasons Laporte lost his spot last season.
Laporte is still a name Guardiola relies upon from time to time. Laporte still excels in the creative side of the game and is among the top Premier League defenders when it comes to the ability to carry the ball. Laporte has covered 5701m of distance as carries, with 70.7 carries/90. Laporte has a total distance/90 coverage of 435.2 with progressive distance/90 coverage of 306.6m.
#1 Joao Cancelo
The top 3 defensive ball-carriers in the Premier League all belong to Manchester City, with left-back Joao Cancelo grabbing the top spot. The left-back role has traditionally been a worry for Pep Guardiola, forcing him to try several options in the position.
However, it finally looks like the weakness has been covered by Cancelo, who started his career as a right-back. Cancelo has been one of Manchester City's best players in the current season. He is defensively solid and offensively brilliant when moving forward with the ball.
Cancelo's ball-carrying abilities are easily observable based on the number of carries he performs per game and the progressive distance he covers, aside from his remarkable assist count. Cancelo engages in an incredible 76 carries/90 with a total distance/90 coverage of 347.2m. Additionally, he has a total carried distance of 5868m and progressive distance/90 coverage of 187.2m.
