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Football is a team sport consisting of eleven players who have to work together to achieve success. When one part of the team fails to impress, the whole team suffers its consequences. In the same vein, when one area improves significantly, the whole team benefits handsomely.
At present, there are a lot of teams in the Premier League who are on a good run mainly because some areas of their squad are delivering consistently. Likewise, we have others who are yet to take-off owing to the fact that some departments of their teams are yet to step up. One area that often lets team performances down significantly is the defence.
The defence is probably the most important department in a football team. Scoring countless goals won't matter much when your backline fails to deliver. As a result, many Premier League clubs are paying close attention and investing a lot into that area.
This has led to the rise of many amazing defenders in the division this season. These wonderful players are acting as the backbones of their respective teams and they are putting in tremendous efforts to ensure victory is achieved.
Even when the players up front are having off-days, they keep the defence together and make sure that the lean advantages the attackers manage to secure do not go to waste. Without further ado, let's look at the top 5 defenders in the Premier League right now:
#5 Enda Stevens
What can one say about a player who is part of a team that came from the lower league and started running other sides in the Premier League ragged while giving the big boys a run for their money?
Sheffield United is a team that was touted to struggle to stay in the English top-flight at the beginning of the season. However, as it stands, they are even performing better than some of the traditional big six.
At present, The Blades are eighth on the Premier League table, two points ahead of Arsenal, who sit at 10th and four points ahead of Everton, who occupy the 11th spot. This amazing feat is due in part to the consistency and efficiency of their defender, Enda Stevens.
True, one might say he is a part of a bigger defensive unit, but considering his contributions so far, you will agree that he is a real livewire of the team.
At the other end of the pitch, Stevens has contributed a goal and two assists. With 48 tackles, 24 interceptions, 32 clearances, 21 blocks, and 16 aerial duels won, he surely provides a real defensive cushion for Sheffield United.
Also Read: All Premier League winners by year
#4 Ricardo Pereira
When it comes to highlighting the top defenders in the Premier League at the moment, there is no way we can afford to omit Portuguese star Ricardo Pereira, thanks to his brilliant contributions from the back which has helped to keep Leicester City flying high in the English top-flight this season.
The Foxes have the second-best defensive record in the EPL this term. They've conceded just 19 goals in the division. Only Liverpool's 14 beats that record. Brendan Rodgers' men have earned a lot of praise for their hard work at the back and Pereira deserves a lot of recognition for that.
The defender has recorded a whopping 83 tackles, 38 interceptions and 58 clearances to his name from 20 appearances in the English top division. He's also won 31 aerial duels for the Foxes. If he continues at such pace, many big teams will surely be fighting for his signature come the end of the term.
#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold played an integral part in the Liverpool team that defeated the almighty Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. He was the one who provided the audacious assist that won the game for the Reds.
This season, the youngster hasn't taken his feet off the pedal as he keeps on firing. The English International has staked his claim to be one of the best right-backs in the Premier League at present.
With Liverpool yet to lose a game in the league in over 300 days, Alexander-Arnold is one of the most important cogs in defence and offence for the team. It is even fair to say that he is one of those players that manager Jurgen Klopp looks to when the time for defensive duties need to be mixed with attacking ones.
This season, Alexander-Arnold has helped the Reds’ cause by being a defensive powerhouse, making 26 tackles, 28 interceptions, 45 clearances, 27 blocks and winning 9 aerial duels in the 20 games he has featured in so far.
#2 Caglar Soyuncu
This is another fairytale season for the Foxes after their head-spinning Premier League triumph during the 2015/16 campaign. After 21 games, they find themselves in second place, 13 points behind league-leaders Liverpool, and one point ahead of defending champions, Manchester City.
During the summer, when Manchester United came knocking for Harry Maguire, a lot of speculation was rife about who will fill the void that would be left behind. Head coach Brendan Rodgers decided to stick with Caglar Soyuncu and he couldn’t have made a better choice.
With 33 tackles, 28 interceptions, 103 clearances, 25 blocks, 57 aerial duels won, he has so far made the centre-back spot his own. Furthermore, his partnership with Jonny Evans has been impenetrable this season. The Turkish is, without doubt, one of the finest defenders in the EPL at the moment and his inclusion on the list is well-deserved.
If he continues moving at this rate, it will be very difficult for Leicester to keep him beyond the season as many top clubs will be coming for his signature at the end of the campaign.
#1 Virgil van Dijk
Well, ask any football fan in the world who they think the best centre-back is right now and you will have a substantial portion of them giving you this name. Right from his Southampton days, Virgil van Dijk has been a strong defensive force. He made such an impression in the league that Liverpool were persuaded to smash the record transfer fee for a defender for him.
When he was bought for £75 million, many people sneered at the Reds. Fast forward to now, and van Dijk has gotten them to two Champions League finals, stepping ahead to win the most recent one of the two. Those who jeered Liverpool when they were investing in one of their most prized assets then will be hiding for cover now.
The Dutchman has built on his heroics in the Reds' Champions League triumph last season that earned him a spot on the Ballon d'Or podium. He has forged ahead, starring and impressing in all of Liverpool’s league matches this season.
If come the end of the season, Jurgen Klopp's men are able to clinch the Premier League title, all eyes should turn in the direction of van Dijk and his partners in crime. He has contributed 14 tackles, 22 interceptions, 99 clearances, 16 blocks and won a whopping 101 aerial duels in the 20 games he’s featured in for the Reds this season.
