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#5 Jan Vertonghen (Belgium, Tottenham Hotspurs)
It is no surprise that Vertonghen is a part of this list, because the Belgian is not just a fabulous defender, but is also extremely gifted with the ball at his feet. When Vertonghen joined Tottenham from Ajax in 2012, he hit the ground running and had a fabulous season that earned him a place in the PFA Team of the year. However, his form dipped in the next two years, but like a true champion, the Belgian has returned to his best. He is the backbone of Tottenham’s recent defensive discipline and he was also instrumental in Belgium reaching third place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Even though he shies away from the limelight, Vertonghen has been the stand out star in the Spurs defence in recent times. He has the most interceptions, clearances and aerial duel won among the defenders at his club. He has also completed the most passes and take-on among his defender teammates. The reason for this is simple, Vertonghen is tutored in the ball playing ethics at Ajax and is a talented footballer who reads the game very well.
Vertonghen possesses the dribbling skills of a midfielder and even though he has restrained himself from his old habit of venturing forward on an adventure every now and then, he still is very good on the ball and also likes to run the game from deep, spraying passes and trying to set up his teammates, qualities that make him one of the best ball playing center backs right now.
