'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Another centre-back who has lit up the Premier League with his displays this season has been the league leaders' Frenchman. Following his £57m move from Athletic Bilbao in January, the soft-spoken Basque player took his time to settle in England. However, even then, his quality was evident for all to see.
Trending
Possessing all the characteristics of the great modern defender; ball playing ability, height, aerial presence, keen intelligence and an ability to play as a left back when demanded, Laporte is a player whose has everything needed to become one of the very best in world football.
His passing has been superb as his long diagonal balls have helped the Cityzens beat the pressing of opponents. His physicality has been surprising to see as he has dominated a lot of opposing attackers this season barely allowing them to have a sniff of Ederson’s goal.
Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph have had injury issues so far. In their place, he has played as a left-back and has performed creditably. Pep Guardiola has rotated his centrebacks a lot this season. John Stones, Vincent Kompany, and Nicolas Otamendi have all had to sit on the bench. Not so for the 25-year-old who has started every match in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
