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Football is a game that is often described as a low-scoring sport. Given its highly competitive nature, it means center backs form the rudimentary element of the game.
With their positioning right at the heart of the team's defense, it is the center-back's responsibility to stop his team from conceding goals. However, in the modern game, their role has evolved significantly.
No longer are center-backs seen as just the protective line at the back. They serve to provide a platform for the team's attack with their build-up play and passes. Center backs are no longer allowed to simply sit by as the attacking play builds up further.
In today's game, it is the center back's responsibility to adjust their lines constantly to stop any threat of a counter attack. Moreover, as the center-backs form the last line of defense. By playing a high line, they too build up significant pressure on the opposition and augment the team's attack.
Stopping goals, keeping clean sheets and building the attack from the back. These are defensive functions that are elemental to the definition of a modern center-back.
To rank defenders, metrics such as - number of clean sheets, number of goals conceded, aerial duels (won) and pass percentages per 90 have been considered.
On that note, let's take a quick look at
The 5 most in-form center backs in Europe
#5 Simon Kjær
Simon Kjær is an experienced AC Milan player who is currently proving to be in solid defensive form for his team. Kjær has experienced a significant upshift in form ever since he scored a goal against giants Manchester United in the Europa League. This form meant he secured a place in the Danish national team's Euros 2020 campaign. Now, he is also one of the most important players in the highly competitive AC Milan defense with options like Fikayo Tomori and Alessio Romagnoli.
Kjær in four appearances for Milan in the new season, has helped his team in keeping three clean sheets. Milan also have one of the tightest defenses in Europe, as they have only conceded two goals so far.
#4 Jules Koundé
The twenty-two-year-old Frenchman, Jules Koundé, is proving to be in top form this season. Earlier in the transfer window, Chelsea attempted to acquire his services but failed on the last day of the window. Sevilla turned down their attempt as it did not meet their valuation of the player. Koundé has surely put this saga behind him now and is looking forward to the new season with Sevilla.
With a newfound confidence, he has so far put in strong performances in the league. In four appearances in the current season, he has secured three clean sheets already to his name. He has also made four match-winning blocks and enjoys a pass completion rate of 90.5%.
#3 Rúben Dias
Manchester City's Rùben Dias is another player who is enjoying a superb start to the season. Although, Manchester City haven't arrived at the summit of the Premier league yet. Dias has played an incremental role in securing five clean sheets for them. All thanks to his services, City have only conceded a solitary goal in the league so far.
Dias currently enjoys a pass completion rate of 93.9%, has made two tackles and won 2 aerial duels for City so far.
#2 Virgil Van Dijk
After Virgil van Dijk missed the entirety of last season through injury. He has come back and is all set to prove a point this season. So far he has kept four clean sheets for Liverpool in the Premier League. His form has also contributed to Liverpool securing thirteen points so far as they are joint-leaders of the current campaign.
Van Dijk boasts a pass completion of 91% and has so far won four aerial duels for his team. Surely one of the top performers given his numbers.
#1 Antonio Rüdiger
Antonio Rüdiger is a player who is an indispensable member of Chelsea's defense in the current campaign. Under Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea have proved to be a revelation defensively.
Over the course of Tuchel's reign, Chelsea have produced a glorious piece of defensive-statistics. In the current campaign, Chelsea have kept more clean sheets than they have conceded goals.
Rüdiger has helped Chelsea in securing as many as four clean sheets in five league games. He also enjoys a pass completion percentage of 89.7%. So far Chelsea has only conceded two goals in the league.
Having won 3 aerial duels, and made 2 game-winning tackles. Antonio Rudiger is surely the most in-form defender so far across the top five leagues in Europe.
