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With the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku to the Premier League, everyone is talking about the golden boot race. The likes of Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane will no doubt have to step up their game. But it's not just the attacking superstars in the Premier League that are attracting attention. Defenders in the English top-flight are as good as any other league in Europe.
Few Premier League defenders have been excellent this season
In fact, some of these defenders have made the headlines with their excellent performances this term. From defenders returning after long-term injuries to certain others reviving their careers, the Premier League has seen it all so far.
On that note, here are five foreign defenders who have enjoyed the best possible start to the 2021-22 Premier League season:
#5 Ethan Pinnock
Brentford's meteoric rise through the English divisions into the Premier League has been quite phenomenal. Many curious eyes were looking forward to the Bees' showing in the Premier League and whether they'll be able to keep up with the best in the English top-flight.
Five games into their first ever season in the Premier League, Brentford have proved they are no underdogs. Centre-back Ethan Pinnock has been central to their strong character and resilience.
Last year in the Championship, Pinnock made more attempts on goal than any other fellow defender in the team. It's difficult to believe that six years ago he was playing non-league football at Dulwich Hamlet.
The Jamaica international has been really calm under pressure and is gifted with great control of the ball at his feet. Thomas Frank demands his centre-backs play out from the back and Pinnock is quite comfortable driving his team forward.
He has played more passes than Pontus Jansson and Kristoffer Ajer, who both play alongside him in the back-three. The Brentford centre-back has started all five games for his side and although it's very unusual for a defender, he is yet to concede a foul in the Premier League.
Pinnock also registered the assist for Brentford's first ever Premier League goal when he supplied Sergio Canos in the opening day triumph over Arsenal.
#4 Marcos Alonso
As if Marcus Alonso wearing a Chelsea shirt this year wasn't unexpected enough, he has now become a regular starter in the Premier League under Thomas Tuchel. The Spaniard's attacking instincts, paired with an eye for goals, has propelled him above Ben Chilwell in the pecking order.
The left-back has long been criticized for being fragile in his defending. However, regular game time under Tuchel has seen him fare better in one-on-one situations, even if only slightly. As Chelsea continue to stick to a 3-4-3 system, it has become crucial that their full-backs commit completely going forward.
Alonso has already scored a goal and assisted one. With a strong target man like Romelu Lukaku, the Spanish left-back's ability to hurl crosses into the area has become even more of a threat. Considering the limited defensive duties expected of him, Alonso will hope to express himself this season as Chelsea prepare to challenge for the Premier League title.
#3 Antonio Rudiger
Arguably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League right now, Antonio Rudiger is in the form of his life. Rudiger was in and out of the team last season under the management of Frank Lampard but since Thomas Tuchel's arrival, he's full of life.
He's never looked more settled and relaxed in a Chelsea shirt and the ongoing season could help him cement his credentials as one of the best defenders in Europe. Tuchel's back-three system has really helped some of Chelsea's forgotten stars shine and Rudiger too has benefitted.
The German defender has looked sharp with his decision-making and has been an active threat from set-piece situations. He even put one past Hugo Lloris in Chelsea's comfortable 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Rudiger has been dominant on the ball and has helped the Blues play out from the back with little hassle. He was crucial for Chelsea against Liverpool at Anfield when they were reduced to 10 men.
With Thiago Silva approaching the end of his career, Rudiger will be Chelsea's go-to man to keep opposition attacks at bay. Talks are ongoing as the Chelsea faithful wait to see if their club will be successful in tying down the German defender to a new long-term deal.
#2 Virgil van Dijk
Injuries in football have affected major talents, hampered their development and sometimes stagnated careers at their peak and ushered in decline. So naturally, when Liverpool's priceless asset Virgil van Dijk suffered a season-ending injury in the Merseyside derby last season, the Reds could only pray.
After nine months of being sidelined, the Liverpool captain is back in action and he's as colossal as ever. He's been dominant in the air, he's marshaling the Reds' backline with great intensity and effectiveness and his long balls are still massively impressive.
In the game against Chelsea in the Premier League, Van Dijk had to deal with the threat of Romelu Lukaku. The former was absolutely dominant in that game, making two thumping tackles and wasn't dribbled past in the whole game. His return to the Netherlands national team was also immense.
Jurgen Klopp decided to rest his captain for their Champions League opener against AC Milan in the Champions League. In his absence, the Liverpool backline switched off on two occasions and were punished both times.
This is a crucial season for Liverpool and they would hate to end it without silverware. However, Klopp will have to prioritize Van Dijk's safety if the Reds wish to go deep into the race for the Premier League title.
#1 Shane Duffy
It's been a journey of serious highs and lows for Shane Duffy over the past few years but he has shown great resilience and mental strength above all. Duffy endured a tough loan spell at Celtic last year which nearly ruled him unfit for Premier League football.
Since his father's demise in May 2020, the centre-back has felt unsettled in his career and lapses have been common. So when the Premier League season began, Duffy was not among the mainstays at Brighton and Hove Albion. Five games into the league, he has deservedly turned the scenario around.
He was as solid as a rock against a physical and intense Burnley side at Turf Moor. The Irishman continued his impressive showing in the following game and also found the net from a header against Watford. He's played the ball from the back quite effectively and has been sturdy in the air.
With Ben White's departure, Duffy has a great opportunity to establish himself as a first-choice centre-back and his strong start will increase Graham Potter's confidence in him. He had his best season in the Premier League back in 2018-19 when he won Brighton's Player of the Season award and maybe this season could be no different.
