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Left-Back - Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid came agonizingly close to another La Liga title this year and have their exceptional fighting spirit to thank for another impressive campaign. Ferland Mendy has been one of his side's better performers this season and has stepped up with some crucial performances for Zinedine Zidane's side.
Los Blancos have suffered a spate of injuries over the past few months and while Mendy has also struggled with his fitness, his absence has been a difficult problem to solve. With Marcelo reaching the end of his illustrious La Liga career, the Spanish giants need to fill a giant void in their defense and Ferland Mendy may well be the perfect fit.
Mendy offers Real Madrid a rare combination of attacking prowess and dribbling solidity and has been one of the most impressive full-backs in La Liga this season. Los Blancos seem intent on revolutionizing their squad this year and Ferland Mendy is set to play a key role in Real Madrid's immediate future.
Centre-Back - Jules Kounde (Sevilla)
Jules Kounde has enjoyed a scintillating breakthrough season for Sevilla and is arguably one of the best defenders in La Liga at the moment. The French defender has become the beating heart of Sevilla's defense at only 22 years of age and has attracted attention from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Kounde enjoyed a successful breakthrough season with Sevilla last year and has blossomed into a mature defender under Julen Lopetegui in recent months. The youngster's maturity and leadership skills belie his age and Sevilla have benefitted immensely as a result.
The Andalusian giants have managed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League yet again and cannot afford to lose their prized possession. Jules Kounde is a generational great and may well become an all-time La Liga great in the years to come.
Centre-Back - Pau Torres (Villarreal)
The 2020-21 edition of La Liga has seen several teams rise to prominence and give the league's heavyweights a run for their money. Unai Emery has done a splendid job at Villarreal and has managed to unearth yet another Spanish gem in Pau Torres.
The centre-back has become one of the Yellow Submarines' most important players over the past year and has featured in 33 league games this season. Pau Torres has immense technical prowess and his ball-playing abilities have augmented Villarreal's possession-based setup.
Pau Torres' unique defensive profile has made him a valuable cog in Unai Emery's Villarreal side and has put him on Manchester United's radar. The 24-year-old centre-back has also become a fixture in Spain's defense this season and has shown tremendous improvement in La Liga under Emery's tutelage.
Right-Back - Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Atletico Madrid's unprecedented march to the La Liga title has been aided by a host of talented players and one particularly astute manager. While Diego Simeone's well-balanced side rarely depends on one player for an extended period of time, Kieran Trippier's invaluable contributions to Los Colchoneros have played a massive role in their La Liga success.
Diego Simeone takes pride in his side's work ethic and Trippier's impeccable energy has epitomized the spirit of one of the most talented Atletico Madrid sides in decades. The English full-back has bagged six assists this season and his attacking output improved Atletico Madrid's impact in the final third.
Trippier has become a near-irreplaceable player in Simeone's side and his mid-season ban unsurprisingly coincided with Atletico Madrid's slump. The former Spurs defender is now part of a select group of English players to have won a La Liga title and has made history with Atletico Madrid.
Honorable Mentions: Stefan Savic (Atletico Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Emerson (Real Betis), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid)
Also Read: 5 footballers who have won the most trophies in their careers
