Ranking the top 5 defenders in the Premier League so far

The Premier League boasts some of the world's best defenders today.

All the top teams in England are armed with excellent defensive talent that enables them to challenge for football's top prizes. As the saying goes, attack wins you games but defense wins you titles.

Last year's UEFA Champions League was the perfect stage for Chelsea to embody this saying. They managed to maintain one of the best defensive records in the history of the tournament, conceding just four goals. It was a feat that was integral to their ultimate triumph in the competition.

Let's take a look at the top five defenders in the Premier League so far this season.

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#5. Cesar Azpilicueta - Chelsea

Manchester City v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League Final

Cesar Azpilicueta is a bonafide Chelsea legend.

The Spaniard has been with the Blues since 2012 and has played a key role in delivering one of the most successful periods in the club's history. He has won several trophies with the club and will fondly be remembered by fans for years to come.

Azpilicueta is one of the most versatile defenders in world football. He has shown time and again that he is capable of lining up anywhere in the defensive line and delivering his best.

The 32-year-old is vastly experienced. He has won two Premier League titles, two UEFA Europa League titles and one UEFA Champions League. He also recently finished runner-up with Spain in the UEFA Nations League which was won by France.

With the Spaniard tied to a contract until 2022, he will look to win some more silverware with Chelsea before deciding on the next phase of his career.

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#4. Sergi Canos - Brentford

Barnet v Brentford - FA Cup Fourth Round

Sergi Canos is a man in top form at the moment.

Playing for recently promoted side Brentford, many felt the players and club would struggle to adapt to the pace of the Premier League. Since their promotion, Thomas Frank's side have silenced critics over the past three months.

Brentford currently sits at 12th on the table and Sergi Canos has been a key figure in enabling this. The Spaniard came up through Barcelona's academy before signing for Liverpool in 2015.

He spent only one year with Liverpool before a loan spell at Brentford. This was followed by a permanent transfer to Norwich City, where he spent a season before signing for Brentford permanently.

He has become something of a cult hero at Brentford, even establishing himself as a first-team regular. He regularly features as a right-back, but is also capable of playing as a right-winger if required. Canos even scored the club's first Premier League goal in a 2-0 win against Arsenal on the opening day of the season.

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#3. Virgil Van Dijk - Liverpool

Liverpool FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

Virgil van Dijk has established himself as one of the most influential players in Liverpool's history.

Signed from Southampton in 2018, the Dutchman is regarded as one of the signings that changed the club's fortunes. Liverpool spent a reported £75 million at the time, a fee that was considered exorbitant but has proved to be worth it since.

Van Dijk has reinforced the Liverpool defense ever since he joined. His partnership at the back with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson has proved to be quite formidable. This strengthened defensive partnership has enabled the club to win silverware after a long time.

Van Dijk won the 'Premier League Player of the Season' and 'UEFA Men's Player of the Year' award in 2019 for his exploits.

Considered one of the best defenders in the world, Van Dijk has been in excellent form this season. He was unlucky to miss most of last season through injury, but has come back like he never left.

He will certainly be an important figure in determining Liverpool's fortunes this season.

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#2. Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool

Liverpool v Burnley - Premier League

Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best wingbacks in world football.

The Englishman has developed into a world-class player over the last few years and has been integral to the club's recent success. His partnership with Andy Robertson on either side of defense is currently one of the best in world football and among the best in the club's history.

The 23-year-old emerged as a fairly unknown entity from Liverpool's academy, but has since become one of the most important players in Jurgen Klopp's setup. He also holds the record for most assists by a defender in a Premier League season in 2019-20 (13).

Alexander-Arnold is blessed with a wand of a right foot and can often be seen swinging crosses into the box. He has enjoyed great success with the club, even winning the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.

Still only 23, Alexander-Arnold already has some commendable achievements to his name. There is no doubt he will only improve and take his career to new heights.

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#1. Joao Cancelo - Manchester City

Manchester City v RB Leipzig: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Joao Cancelo has arguably been the Premier League's best defender so far.

The Manchester City fullback has been in top form this season. Operating as a hybrid inverted fullback in Pep Guardiola's system, Cancelo seems to have unlocked a higher level this season.

Cancelo is originally a right-back, but has mostly been used on the left during recent times. Despite being right-footed, Cancelo is able to contribute massively from the left wing.

Certainly one of Pep's most trusted players, Cancelo is adept at breaking up opponents' play. He also contributes a lot in attack with his accurate crosses and passing through the lines.

The Portuguese has been in fine form so far: he leads the charts for passes (695) and interceptions (84) in the Premier League so far. He enjoyed a similar start to the season last year as well, but failed to carry his form into the rest of the season.

With the Cityzens looking to retain their Premier League title, Cancelo will certainly be key to achieving this feat.