5 Premier League midfielders who can play as centre-backs

Real Madrid v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg One
Real Madrid v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg One

The Premier League has seen teams become strong defensive units over time. Using a defensive approach, plenty of teams have gone on to do well in England's top-tier football.

It is not just the defensive approach that makes a difference but the quality of defending that matters the most. For a secure and reliable defense, a club requires strong and effective defenders.

Premier League midfielders are versatile

A stable defense is only possible with the help of quality center-backs. But we have seen how injuries can throw a good plan out of the window. Injuries to central defenders have hampered teams severely in the past and the best example was Liverpool last season. The Reds played the majority of the season without Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in the Premier League.

In such a case, players who can play centre-backs come in very handy. Defensive-minded midfielders are more often capable of playing the central defender role. On that note, let's take a look at the five best Premier League midfielders who can also play as centre-backs:


#5 Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United)

Leeds United v Manchester United - Premier League
Leeds United v Manchester United - Premier League

Kalvin Phillips is not the tallest of players but his playing style is quite aggressive and on the defensive side. The English midfielder came through the ranks at Leeds United and has been with the Whites since then.

The 25-year old has been a vital player for Leeds United courtesy of his dominating presence in midfield. He can win the ball back and protect his defense from the opposition attack time and again. Kalvin Phillips' impressive performance earned him a place at Euro 2020 with England.

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has used the Englishman as a centre-back before and despite his height, Phillips has been effective in the defense. His smart reading of the game helps a lot in impactful and smart defending. Given the need, he's a very good option to play in central defense.


#4 Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League

Scott McTominay is a product of the Manchester United academy and has lately become a regular face for the Red Devils. Despite initially struggling, the Scottish midfielder has come a long way in his football career.

Under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Scott McTominay played almost every game alongside Fred in midfield. With the Norwegian no longer associated with the Red Devils, it would be interesting to see if the Scotsman is playing regularly under the new management.

McTominay is 6 feet 4 inches tall and is very good at tackling and winning the ball aerially. Courtesy of these abilities, he has been used as a centre-back by Scotland and also sometimes at Manchester United.

With his physical structure and technical abilities, he is well suited to play the central defender role in the Premier League.

#3 Fernandinho (Manchester City)

Manchester City v Southampton - Premier League
Manchester City v Southampton - Premier League

The Premier League has some fine Brazilian players right now and Fernandinho is surely one of them. The Manchester City midfielder is a well-experienced player and has been an amazing servant to the English side.

With his aggression, intelligent reading and fine positioning, Fernandinho is relentless at the peak of his powers. The 36-year old has won four Premier League titles with Manchester City ever since he joined them in 2013. His presence in midfield has been very reliable and effective.

Pep Guardiola hasn't shied away from using the Brazilian as a centre-back when in need. Fernandinho may not have the pace but his intellect and tackling comes in very handy while playing as a central defender.


#2 Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United - Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United - Premier League

Probably one of the most wanted players in the Premier League right now, Declan Rice has been phenomenal for West Ham United. The Englishman had an amazing time at Euro 2020 and has started the season very well with the Hammers.

The former Chelsea youth player is playing as a defensive midfielder with West Ham United right now. Rice is a very smart operator in midfield. He has a high work-rate, reads the game superbly and can win the ball back from the opposition with his positioning and tackling.

He's also a good passer of the ball and can make some great forward runs, surprising the opposition defense.

Rice has previously played as a centre-back and can still effectively play there. He's often been criticized for playing out of position as a central defender but with more maturity and game-time, there is nothing the English midfielder cannot learn.

Manchester United and Chelsea are after his signature come next summer and it will be interesting to see what happens then.


#1 Fabinho (Liverpool)

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League

Fabinho is probably one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. The Brazilian has been very impactful for Liverpool and yet his name does not pop up when we speak about the star players at the Merseyside club.

The former Monaco midfielder is tenacious, aggressive and very skillful. Fabinho is good at reading the opposition's game and can easily break their flow with his brilliant and timely tackles.

Last season when Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was in a difficult spot with all his first-choice defenders sidelined by injuries, he relied heavily on the Brazilian midfielder.

The 28-year old did a phenomenal job at the back, proving his versatile nature. Liverpool have a gem of a player in Fabinho as he can always be counted upon courtesy of his defensive abilities.

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