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The Premier League is blessed with fine players and year after year, the quality in the competition seems to be improving. With new additions every season, the league only gets more intense.
There are a good number of quality defenders present in the Premier League right now. The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ruben Dias, Cesar Azpilicueta and many others have set very high standards for defending.
Premier League defenders need more recognition
Playing in the Premier League is a blessing in itself and to sustain it at the top level, consistency is of utmost importance. The current lot of defenders have provided some high-quality performances in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, a few of those defenders haven't got the recognition they deserve. Some of them need to change their clubs to get the right appreciation for their efforts and also for the betterment of their career. On that note, let's take a look at the Premier League defenders who deserve to play for bigger clubs:
#5 Max Aarons (Norwich City)
Having come through the ranks at Norwich City, Max Aarons has been a regular figure with them. The young right-back has a lot of potential and was on the radar of many English clubs this summer.
Aarons is a dynamic defender with an attacking-minded approach. With his wonderful crosses into the box, the Englishman can be a real threat in the attack. His defensive game is not too bad either but there are areas where he can improve upon.
With Norwich City struggling in the Premier League, Aarons has struggled to get the attention he deserves. If the Canaries are relegated, the youngster should seek a move to a club in the top division and get an upgrade. Arsenal have Aarons on their radar and that could materialize into a transfer in the near future.
#4 Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Having graduated from the Liverpool academy, Conor Coady did not get many chances at the Merseyside club. He opted for a loan move to Sheffield United before moving to Huddersfield Town.
He signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2015 and has been with them ever since. Coady is a strong figure in the backline and a very reliable one at that. He can be aggressive and is very effective with his tackling. The Englishman is also a big threat when it comes to set-pieces.
The 28-year old has done consistently well but if he's to play for the national team on a regular basis he has to move to a bigger club. Coady is currently linked with a move to Newcastle United and who knows what might happen come next summer.
#3 Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion)
The Premier League has some underrated defenders and Lewis Dunk is one of them. The English defender has been with Brighton & Hove Albion since the start of his football career.
The tall centre-back has a commanding presence at the back and has been the captain of the Seagulls since the 2019-20 season. Due to his impressive performances with Brighton, Dunk has previously been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
He recently signed a five-year contract and has done well this season. That being said, the Englishman is capable of doing better, and at the age of 29, he's reaching his prime. It is best for his career that he secures a move to a bigger club before time runs out.
#2 Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Tariq Lamptey graduated from Chelsea's youth academy but left them in search of more playing time. He joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2020 and has done quite well with them in the Premier League.
The English defender primarily plays as a right wing-back but can also play as a right-back. He's a very lively figure on the right given his high work-rate, tenacity and constant urge to win the ball back and attack. He has quite the skills to contribute in attack.
The 21-year old has a very bright future ahead of himself but it is necessary that he chooses the right club that fits his needs. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have Lamptey on their radar and it is now up to him to take the call and make the right move in his career.
#1 James Tarkowski (Burnley)
Burnley have some of the tallest and strongest defenders in the Premier League. James Tarkowski has been a very reliable figure for the Clarets for more than five seasons now.
His presence at the back has provided a lot of reliability and security for Sean Dyche's side. Not only that, the English defender is quite dangerous during set-pieces. Tarkowski has been one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League and it is time he gets the recognition he deserves.
The former Brentford defender is currently being monitored by West Ham United. The Hammers are doing pretty well in the Premier League and given the opportunity, Tarkowski should seek a move to the east London club.
