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Defenders
Jordi Alba ( FC Barcelona )
Arguably the second best left back in Spain behind Marcelo, Jordi Alba has been highly influential for Barca this season. The Spain International has four assists and also a goal to his name this season which ranks him very highly amongst his fellow defenders.
His understanding with Lionel Messi on the pitch offers another dimension to the Barca attack and has already paid dividends with the club topping the table heading into 2019. While Jordi Alba has had his fair share of assists and goals, his defensive contributions have also been of great value.
Alba puts in an average of 1.9 interceptions and 1.4 tackles per game along with a pass percentage in excess of 85 according to WhoScored. With Marcelo struggling with injuries of late, this very form might see him lose the mantle of the best left back of the league to the Spanish left-back.
Marc Bartra (Real Betis)
The former Barcelona graduate has had an on-off career with an average tenure with Borussia Dortmund amidst high expectations. Ever since he was signed up by Real Betis, Bartra has been sensational and has put in performances that would make any Barca fan envy.
Ever-present in the Betis back line, Bartra puts in an average of 2.5 tackles and 4.2 clearances per game enabling Betis to a decent sixth place standing as of now. He has only conceded 19 goals and considering the fact that three of them came against a rampant Barca side, Bartra has been leading the line well. If he is able to keep up his performances, Spanish colours might be on the horizon.
Gerard Pique ( FC Barcelona )
Another La Masia graduate, Pique was said to be on a decline coming into the new season. But with crisis arises new opportunity and with the likes of Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen injured, Pique was at it again.
The Barca centre-back dealt most of the danger at the back with close to 3.4 aerial duels being won each game. With a tally of three goals and an assist to his name, Pique has played a crucial role at both ends of the field, further solidifying his status as one amongst the elite.
Barcelona are showing no signs of slipping up and Gerard Pique seems to be one of the major reasons. Only time will tell if he could keep it going until the end of the season.
Leandro Cabrera ( Getafe C.F )
A surprise inclusion to the team, Cabrera is the heart of the second best defense of the La Liga this season with only 13 goals conceded in 17 matches. Cabrera has been colossal for Getafe with a whopping 7.4 clearances per match along with an average of 1.5 interceptions too.
His performances against the likes of Real Betis and Real Sociedad have done no harm to his glowing reputation with the defender also scoring a vital goal in a 1-1 draw away to Leganes.
With aerial domination being one his major strengths, Cabrera has also added another dimension to the Getafe side with his long balls. If Getafe are to keep the mantle of the best defense in the league, they are sure in need of many more great performances from Cabrera.
