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Centre-backs are the defensive spine of any great footballing team in the world. They are the last line of defence in front of the goal-keeper and are crucial in not allowing the opposition forwards to get one on one with the goalkeeper.
Some of the great teams in world football were built on the back of solid defences and it continues to be so even now. Real Madrid, who have won three Champions League titles on the trot have relied on the likes of Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Rafael Varane to lead them through.
Similarly, the Chiellini-Bonucci axis has allowed Juventus to dominate Italian football for the last decade now. Every team wants solid centre-backs who are apt at dealing with any attacking danger that opposition poses to them and help them win the ball back.
As the game of football has progressed and tactics have evolved, the importance of centre-backs has increased. These days they are not only expected to do the dirty part of the game but are also expected to be good with the ball at their feet. Gone are the days when hoofing the ball up used to be the norm, these days they are required to keep the ball and help the team build from the back.
As the great centre-backs of the current generation like Ramos, Chiellini enter the last few years of their illustrious careers, we take a look at some of the best young centre-backs in world football at the moment at or under the age of 25 who have a bright future ahead of them:
#5 Matthijs De Ligt, 19, Ajax
Matthijs De Ligt is a Dutch centre-back who currently plies his trade for Ajax and has become one of the finest young defenders in world football at the moment.
De Ligt made history when he became the youngest player ever to captain a side in Dutch football and he has shown time and again that he has what it takes to succeed at the top level. De Ligt is a great defender who is strong aerially and is good at tackling and interceptions. He averaged almost 0.8 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per 90 minutes last season.
Apart from his defending skills, De Ligt is also good with the ball at his feet. He had a pass completion rate of 90% last season and also created 0.3 chances per 90 minutes, which is very good considering he is a defender.
De Ligt has made his debut for the Netherlands as a 17-year old in 2017 and since then has risen quite fast. In his short career at international level so far, he has already put two really good shifts against World Champions France and Ronaldo's Portugal.
Apart from his obvious gifts as a footballer, De Ligt has a strong mentality and great leadership skills which is very important for a player at the top level.
Many big clubs have been linked to De Ligt and a big move is imminent for him. How he does will depend on a number of factors, but De Ligt has what it takes to make it big on the international stage and become one of the best centre-backs of the game.
#4 Milan Skriniar, 23, Inter Milan
Milan Skriniar has risen to prominence ever since his move to Italy in 2016. After becoming the youngest defender to have made 35 appearances in the 2016-17 season for Sampdoria in his first season, Skriniar made a move to Inter Milan for a record €20 million.
The transfer made him the most expensive Slovak player of all time. He played every single minute of Inter's league campaign last season as they finished fourth and qualified for UEFA Champions League after a gap of 7 years.
At the age of 23, he is one of the most astute defenders you will find out there in his age group. He is good in one on ones, great in the air and has a great sense of positioning. He averaged 1.5 tackles and had almost 1 interception per 90 minutes last season.
Milan Skriniar also possesses brilliant passing range, as he averaged 61 passes per 90 minutes last season with an amazing pass completion rate of 91%.
A lot of big clubs were said to be interested in Skriniar this summer but he decided to stay put at Inter for another season. However, looking at his growth trajectory, there is little doubt that very soon he will be playing in an elite club in England or Spain.
#3 John Stones, 24, Manchester City
John Stones signed for Manchester City for a transfer fee of £47.5 million from Everton in 2016 making him the second most expensive centre-back ever at the time and there is a reason why.
At the age of 24, John Stones is as a good a centre-back as they come. His first season with City wasn't as good as expected, but he redeemed himself in the second season and was brilliant for City in their Premier League win last season.
He won 75% of his aerial duels and had an average of 1.3 interceptions per 90 minutes. John Stones became a very important part of the Pep's Guardiola side and is expected to remain so in future. The England international also had an unbelievable pass completion rate of 96% last season and averaged 84 passes per 90 minutes.
The Man City defender was a crucial part of England's run to the semi-finals in this year's World Cup team, having scored once. John Stones has a very high ceiling and it is anyone's guess as to what he can achieve in his career.
#2 Samuel Umtiti, 24, Barcelona
Samuel Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016 from Lyon for €25 million and his career graph has only gone upwards since then. After winning the La Liga and the Copa Del Rey last season he went on to win the FIFA World Cup with France, making a rock-solid centre-back pairing with Raphael Varane.
The young French defender established himself as the first choice centre-back ahead of Mascherano in the Barcelona starting eleven last season and has been giving great defensive performances match-after-match. He averaged 1.48 tackles and 1.66 interceptions per 90 minutes last season. He uses his physical strength to dominate the opponents and doesn't give them an inch to breathe.
Umtiti also stands out with his ball playing ability and has shown his excellent passing range for France in World Cup and Barcelona last season. He averages 60 passes per game with a passing accuracy of 91%.
The former Lyon graduate is already at the pinnacle of club football at the age of just 24. He would like to win a UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona to win the biggest trophy in club competition and complete his footballing CV.
#1 Raphael Varane, 25, Real Madrid
At the age of 25, Raphael Varane has already won everything. The Real Madrid man has won the Champions League 4 times, won La Liga and perhaps the biggest trophy of them all: World Cup.
The Euros are perhaps the only tournament missing from his glittering CV. He missed the 2016 Euros due to injury as France lost the finals without him.
Raphael Varane joined Real Madrid at the age of just 19 in the 2011-12 season and he impressed immediately. He scored on his El Clasico debut and dominated Lionel Messi in duels giving a sign of things to come.
Raphael Varane is one of the fastest centre-backs in world football and has been able to outpace the likes of Aubameyang in a foot race. Along with this excellent recovery speed, he is brilliant in the air, great in defending one v ones and has a great eye for interceptions and tackles. He averaged 0.83 tackles and 1.36 interceptions per 90 minutes last season.
Raphael Varane is probably one of the top-5 centre-backs in world football when it comes to ball skills. He at times goes on forward runs from deep like an attacker, has a great passing range, completing 90% of his passes last season.
Raphael Varane right now is not only the best young defender in world football but also one of the top 5 centre-backs in world football overall. His growth trajectory has been unbelievable and he is destined to retire as one of the greatest centre-backs in world football.
