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With more than half of the league programme already gone, a clear picture of the Premier League's landscape has begun to emerge.
It will be a straight fight between Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title this season. The Reds currently lead the Cityzens (defending champions) by 7 points. Both teams are set to clash in a make-or-mar tie on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur has continued to push above their weight and is almost guaranteed a UEFA Champions League spot for next season. It looks to be a straight fight between Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United for the last UCL place.
While a lot of goals have been scored already this season, some centre-backs have also been very impressive. These men have stood tall in the face of assaults from the league's top marksmen and emerged with credit to their names.
Some are in title-chasing teams while others have impressed in teams with lesser ambitions. Here is a look at 5 of the very best centre-backs in the Premier League so far:
Also see : Gold Cup Standings, EPL Transfer News, Fantasy Premier League
#5 Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
David Luiz's flamboyant hairstyle and style of play will always be the centre of attention in Chelsea. However, it is his understated partner that has quietly gone about becoming one of the league's top defenders.
A German international, Rudiger struggled in his first season at Stamford Bridge following a £29m move from AS Roma. The 25-year-old struggled under Antonio Conte as he was never given a fair chance to prove himself.
However, under Maurizio Sarri, he has shown what he is capable of. Adept at reading the game, making crucial tackles and interceptions, Rudiger has been very good.
Combined with a fearsome aerial presence, the German has an ever-present in the Chelsea backline as he has featured in all 20 matches played so far.
#4 Conor Coady (Wolves)
A lot of pundits had tipped Wolverhampton Wanderers to do good things in the Premier League this season. After 20 games, the men from Molineux have proven these pundits right.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men have been this season's surprise packages, going toe-to-toe with the big guns and emerging with points and wins.
A big part of this has been down to the team's defensive resilience led by the captain, Coady. The 25-year-old has been super-impressive at the heart of the team's three-man backline.
Directing play from the middle, he has shown a passing range and technique that few English centre-backs could ever hope to emulate. He has also excelled at the things English centre-backs are known for; being strong in the tackle, aerial prowess, being rugged and hard to get past.
His leadership skills have ensured that alongside Ryan Bennett and Willy Boly, Wolves have one of the league's best defensive records (5th best alongside Leicester City).
#3 Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)
Since he arrived in the Premier League via Southampton in 2014, the Belgian has been one of the league's finest defenders.
Last season, injuries and contractual issues meant he was not at his shining best for Spurs. However, after a good run at the World Cup, Toby has returned better than ever.
While his contract renewal remains a soap-opera, his on-field performances have been Oscar-worthy. In a defence that has seen a lot of changes due to injuries, Aldeweireld's solidity has been a prominent feature.
Still strong on the ground and in the air, the 29-year-old has put in match-winning performances on various occasions for Mauricio Pochettino's men. He has re-taken the mantle of leadership from countryman Jan Vertonghen in some style.
Averaging a tackle per game, Aldeweireld's passing, strength and excellent reading of the game have helped keep Spurs on the front foot in a lot of games. He has continued to guide his younger partners; Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth as both players continue to learn their trade.
#2 Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Were it not for the recent loss of form by the Cityzens, it would have been a close tie between the Frenchman and Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk. Such has been Laporte's excellence this season that alongside Ederson, he has played the most minutes for Pep Guardiola's team.
A left-footed centre-back whose babyish mien hides a fiercely competitive streak, the 24-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong so far. The team's new defensive leader, he has been excellent at passing out of the back to initiate attacks and counter-attacks. He has also shown the full range of his defensive abilities.
Laporte has averaged 1.2 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game. These are the statistics of a man who has shown versatility in staying back to defend and getting forward.
His partners; Vincent Kompany, John Stones, and Nicolas Otamendi have struggled for fitness and form this season. The yet-to-be capped Frenchman who joined last season for £57m from Athletic Bilbao will be crucial to City's attempts to overtake Liverpool.
#1 Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
It is really simple, without Van Dijk at the back, Liverpool would not be top of the league. It is difficult to overstate the sea-change in the Reds backline since the Dutchman arrived from Southampton in January 2018.
He has brought calm, organization and intelligence to a defence that was leaking goals for fun before. With him as the leader, the backline has become the team's biggest strength and the main reason why fans are dreaming of a first ever Premier League title.
Calm, unhurried, brilliant aerially with a great sense of timing, the captain of the Oranje has been perhaps the most important signing of the Jurgen Klopp era (even above Mohamed Salah).
With him orchestrating, the Reds now have the strongest defence in the league. They have let in just 8 goals conceded in 20 matches. That is half of what Manchester City has conceded (16)
He has in his first full season as a Liverpool player shown why a world-record fee (for a defender) of £75m was paid for his services.
