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Being a defender is arguably one of the toughest jobs in football. They are required to be on their toes for the entire match and tend to draw criticism for the slightest of mistakes. Being a defender in present times is even more difficult as they are also required to contribute to the team’s build-up play as much as possible.
While many tend to crumble under the burden of expectations, some beat the odds to make the game their own. The defenders on our list today are not only solid at the back, but can also come up with defense-splitting, match-winning passes when required.
Here are the top five defenders in the world with the best passing range in 2021:
#5 Mats Hummels - Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels is one of the most underrated defenders in the world right now. The Germany international is on the wrong side of 30, but has been consistently performing for the Bundesliga outfit this season.
Hummels, who featured for Bayern Munich regularly between 2016 and 2019, instills a sense of calm at the back. His excellent passing range allows him to get out of trouble and he rarely gets caught out by high pressing sides.
The 33-year-old is not only capable of keeping the game ticking with short passes, but he also loves to catch the opposition out with pinpoint long balls.
Hummels has adapted brilliantly to a bunch of different styles of football over the last decade, emerging as an evergreen, immaculate passer of the ball.
#4 Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool
19-time Premier League champions Liverpool have had the privilege of signing several top talents over the years. Thanks to their deep pockets and rich history, players have rarely ignored their advancements and tend to offer their services right away.
Virgil van Dijk, too, was smitten by Liverpool, but he did not necessarily force his way out of Southampton.
The centre-back eventually signed for the Reds in January 2018 and started working on justifying his record-breaking €84.65 million transfer fee right away. Liverpool ended the season as Champions League runners-up, with Van Dijk ascending as one of the Reds’ key performers.
Since his transfer, Van Dijk has not only impressed the world with his solid defensive attributes, but also his passing skills. The Netherlands international rarely gets pressed out of possession, is an expert at providing little ground passes, and can also deliver long balls from deep.
He regularly provides long balls to the flanks, allowing the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson to spring into action.
#3 David Alaba - Real Madrid
From a flying left-back to a responsible centre-back, David Alaba seems to be an expert at juggling his contrasting personalities. The Austrian international can diffuse tense situations with ease and can also surge ahead alongside forwards in search of a goal. He is arguably the only player who could have filled in for Sergio Ramos right now, and Real Madrid are lucky to have him.
Having spent over a decade at Bayern, Alaba moved to Madrid in the summer of 2021. With Ramos and Raphael Varane gone, Alaba has primarily played as a centre-back for Real Madrid this season. But that has not stopped him from displaying his world-class passing range.
Alaba is a master at playing out from the back and he does so with the help of short and accurate exchanges with his teammates. He also loves to go long and spread the ball to the flanks.
To top it off, Alaba is an excellent set-piece taker and has become Real Madrid’s go-to man for close-range free-kicks.
#2 Joao Cancelo - Manchester City
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has always been fond of defenders who can play out easily from the back. Currently, Joao Cancelo is his favorite pupil, making his coach proud with immense work rate and exemplary passing range.
Capable of performing on either flank, Cancelo loves to play little one-twos with Manchester City midfielders in order to advance. The Portuguese looks right at home playing in the final third of the pitch and has a knack for putting in inviting crosses into the area.
Cancelo also packs a thunderous right foot and is never shy of having a go at goal.
This season alone, Cancelo has scored three goals and provided seven assists, emerging as one of the best full-backs in the world.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing range could give the best midfielders a run for their money, let alone defenders. The Englishman uses his pace and short-passing skills to get out of tricky situations and can provide inch-perfect long balls to start a counter-attack.
Alexander-Arnold loves to dash down the right-hand channel and whip in a cross into the area. When the box is too crowded, he tends to cut in and play little one-twos with the Liverpool forwards to open up space.
The England international also shares a telepathic connection with Mohamed Salah and the two combine regularly to make a tangible impact on the scoreline.
The 23-year-old has managed to put 11 assists to his name this season, becoming the only Premier League player to provide 10-plus assists across all competitions.
