Top 10 defenders in the Premier League this season

One of the reason’s for Chelsea’s title triumph was the defensive partnership of Terry and Cahill

The season has come to a close, and it’s time now to pay tribute to the meanest defenders of the season gone by. Chelsea and Southampton had the hardest defences to beat in the league.

They conceded the fewest goals throughout the season and performed the best overall defensively. Individually though, here are the best at the back in the Premier League. Notable absentees include Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill and Joel Ward but it’s a tough list to get into.

10. Phil Jones

This was one of the most memorable moments of the season when Jones put his body on the line to deny Olivier Giroud a goalscoring chance

It’s been a season which hasn’t been the best for Manchester United defensively. The United sides of old have been known to have the meanest defences with the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Jaap Stam, Steve Bruce etc.

This season though, they have the fourth best defence in the league and it wouldn’t have been so if it weren’t for Phil Jones. In a season where Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal was still finding his best XI to field, there is no doubt that Jones played an integral part in defence.

Manchester United have lost 7 of the 21 matches Phil Jones has missed, which clearly shows how the Red Devil’s defence is incomplete without the Englishman, who averages 2.4 tackles per game.

Plagued by injuries throughout the season and shifted out of his natural position into midfield have hampered the quality of Jones’ defensive capabiltiies. Let’s not forget that Jones turned 23 only in February.

Despite his age, it is without a doubt that he is an integral man at Old Trafford. A recent study showed that he is the best centre back under 23 in Europe in a report compiled by the CIES Football Observatory.

9. Aaron Cresswell

Cresswell popped up with 2 goals and 4 assists this season apart from solid defending at the back

West Ham paid around £3.5m for Cresswell when they bought him from Tranmere Rovers, but nobody could have predicted the impact he would have. The left back has been ever present for Allardyce’s Hammers team and has a consistency record which is pretty astonishing.

Cresswell has started 209 of a possible 219 league games since his ascent from League One to the Premier League and his performance doesn't seem to be dropping either. Cresswell popped up with 2 goals and 4 assists this season and averages 1.2 tackles per game.

Rumours of 20m bids from Manchester City and Liverpool have begun to surface but with Bilic now the manager Cresswell should stay put.

8. Branislav Ivanovic

Ivanovic has scored four goals and made five assists for Chelsea in 2014/15

“A competitive animal, a big heart,” said Jose Mourinho about Ivanovic. Whether it’s marauding down the right side of the pitch or covering at the back with his tenacity, Ivanovic has been a bit of an unsung hero of the Chelsea back line.

The Serbian might be a tad bit slow and off the pace but certainly makes up for it with his tough tackling and aerial prowess. Ivanovic has popped up with 4 goals as well this season among which was a crucial winner at Aston Villa with his left foot.

He has also chipped in with a handy 5 assists and has averaged 2.3 tackles per game this past season.The fullback who is good going forward and solid at the back is one of the toughest opponents for speedy wingers to face. if you don’t take my word for it just ask them.

7. Ashley Williams

Williams who worked as a waiter as a teenager is now one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League

"Thirty is when experience kicks in and starts telling. He plays with his head rather than just his heart," Rio Ferdinand said about Ashley Williams. The former waiter has gone from strength to strength since his move to the top flight and has played the best football under Gary Monk.

The man who Sir Alex Ferguson claimed might have killed Robin van Persie by kicking a ball at his head has seen his form draw interest from Liverpool and rumours of a 20m bid are surfacing with Rodgers a long time admirer.

Williams averaged 1.2 tackles per game and 1.1 blocks per game in 2014-15. Also, since August 2008, Wiliiams has started 281 league games for Swansea out of a possible 288. Consistency anybody?

6. Pablo Zabaleta

Zabaleta has been a steadying force in the Manchester City backline

Being bloodied and bruised doesn’t stop Pablo Zabaleta. The combative right back is arguably one of the best right backs in the league and for all City’s defensive woes this season, Zaba offers some much-needed solidarity at the back.

Not too shabby going forward as well, the all round Argentine has contributed four assists and one goal apart from averaging 3.7 tackles per game. Occasionally Zaba gets beaten by a quick winger or turn of pace but more than makes up for it with his defensive positioning and covers for the errors of Kompany and Co.

5. Nathaniel Clyne

Nathaniel Clyne’s performance in the 2014/15 season earned him an England call-up

Another contender for the best right back of the season. Blessed with unending stamina, quick pace and tenacious tackling, its no wonder that Roy Hodgson has called him up to the England squad as Glen Johnson’s replacement.

Clyne is one of the most improved players this season -- from 1.1 interceptions last season to 1.9 and from 2.2 tackles per game last season to 3.4 this season - under Ronald Koeman.

The Dutchman says that "Clyne is one of the best right full-backs that I've had in my teams during the last 15 years".

4. Jose Fonte

Fonte has practically held the Southampton defence together after the departure of Dejan Lovren

Clyne’s partner in crime and part of that impenetrable Southampton defence is captain Jose Fonte. His performances this season have earned him a call-up to the Portuguese National side at 31.

Strong and reliable at the back, Fonte has done superbly this season under Koeman and the man has practically held the Southampton defence together after the departure of a certain Dejan Lovren.

The Southampton captain averages 2.1 tackles and 3.2 interceptions per game and has got 1 assist to his name as well in 2014-15. Fonte has shut out, well, pretty much the rest of the Premier League, with a little help from his friends – Que Beatles music.

3. Cezar Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta is one of the best one-on-one defenders in the League who rarely makes a mistake

Ladies and Gentlemen welcome Dave. If you’re thinking what are you talking about? you probably don’t know that Azpilicueta’s nickname given by the Chelsea fans is Dave, because apparently, his name is too long and difficult to pronounce.

But nonetheless his performances have been as consistent and clean sheets as common as his nickname and is one of the best one-on-one defenders around.

Want to win a big game against a rival and shut down one flank? Azpilicueta is your man. "For technical defending, not making a mistake, not being in the wrong position, not getting caught out...I don't see him making a mistake. When I watch him, he's as near to perfect as possible when it comes to defending; he's immaculate," the words of Gary Neville.

The 25-year-old defender has provided 3 assists this season and averages 3.0 tackles and 2.0 interceptions per game. The Spaniard might not be the best going forward on the left flank and is not your typical left back but makes up for all that with his defending and gives license to roam to a certain Eden Hazard.

2. Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal are a different side when he is playing in the centre of defence

A season in which the Frenchman Koscielny was out for a long period of time through an Achilles injury proved to be Arsenal’s Achilles heel as well. The Frenchman being out of the side caused a downward spiral of defensive performances, and his return resulted in some of the best defending by Arsenal in a long time.

Quick and excellent in the timing of his tackle, Koscielny makes up for the ultra slow Metersacker at the center of Arsenal’s defence. The answer is simple- Arsenal needs Laurent Koscielny.

Since August 2013, Arsenal have a win percentage of 73% in Premier League games Koscielny has completed, compared to just 39% without him. The Frenchman has scored 3 goals and averages 1.3 tackles per game. Anyway, Jamie Carragher is a fan, "I think Koscielny is one of the best centre-backs in the league. I really like him, I really rate him," and so does team mate Santi Cazorla "There are very few players like him in the world,". Claps all round.

1. John Terry

John Terry played every minute of the 2014/15 season at the age of 34

Talk about turning back the clock to provide some of your best performances in a Chelsea shirt and help your side win the Premier League title. Captain and commander of the Chelsea defence, which is the best in the league.

John Terry has gone from a shadow of his former self two seasons ago to the chief organizer of Mourinho’s title-winning defence. Exposed by his lack of pace under previous managers, Mourinho has made a remarkable turnaround, a manager who knows Terry’s game inside out.

He made the following changes to aid Terry:

1. Bought a defensive midfielder to do all the running;

2.A defensive-minded left-back;

3. A deeper defensive line;

Jose has based his entire defence on JT’s game and has showcased Terry's strengths of physicality, his blocking and anticipation. This new John Terry is a complete transformation from the gung-ho all action Terry of the 2000s. The result – least goals conceded and a title in the bag with Terry able to play on despite his age.

Terry has played the most minutes in the league amongst all the defenders, has scored 5 goals and averages 1.1 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, 5.7 clearances and 0.8 blocks per game. Let’s just remind you that Terry is 34 by the way. Defender of the season.