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#3 Matthijs De Ligt (Juventus)
Speaking of valuable central defenders, it is difficult to ignore Matthijs De Ligt in this list. It's true that the Dutchman could have done better than what he's doing right now but nonetheless his abilities make him a terrific centre-back.
Matthijs De Ligt was the first defender ever to win the Golden Boy award in 2018. This showcases how amazing he was during his time at Ajax. Now at Juventus, the Dutch defender has performed well with the Old Lady but the club has struggled overall.
With his superb aerial abilities, amazing anticipation and marking, De Ligt is the central defender you would want in your team. Still only 22, the former Ajax defender remains one of the best young prospects in the football world right now. He is valued at €65 million right now.
#2 Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
In a team filled with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Angel Di Maria and now Lionel Messi, sometimes the heroics of a player like Marquinhos go unnoticed. The Brazilian has been a fantastic defender for Paris Saint-Germain for a long time now.
Marquinhos is an excellent reader of the game. Using that and his tackling skills, he has won the ball back for his team more than often. The Brazilian centre-back can also play as a defensive midfielder and is quite good at it.
Combined with his defensive abilities, Marquinhos is a real asset in the air. He is known to be a lethal threat from set-pieces as he has scored some amazing headers for his team from a dead-ball situation. The Paris Saint-Germain defender is valued at €75 million as he continues to lead the backline for the French giants.
#1 Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Ruben Dias has certainly brought a lot of composure to the Manchester City backline since joining them in the summer of 2020. The Portuguese has been a sensation in the Premier League ever since.
Using his composed approach, brilliant reading and smart tackling, Ruben Dias has contained the opposition on a regular basis. He played a major role in helping Manchester City win the Premier League last season. He has since become one of the most reliable defenders in the league.
The Portuguese centre-back has been quite effective with his ball-playing abilities from the back. Ruben Dias is highly trusted by Pep Guardiola and he deserves every bit of it. He is valued at €75 million right now as he continues to give impressive performances for both his club and country.
