Top 5 defenders in the world at the moment

Defenders are often one of the most underrated players on the football field. The art of defence is more subtle and not as flashy as the art of goalscoring, and as such, defenders often do not get the recognition they deserve. Over the past few years, however, we have seen that a great defence is as important (if not more) than a great offence, when it comes to winning titles.

The rise of Virgil van Dijk to the top of the footballing world as he helped Liverpool FC strengthen at the back and the £80 million spent by Manchester United on Harry Maguire are two recent examples of how big clubs are seeing the value defenders provide. All the highly successful teams in the last few decades have had a reliable back four who have had an immense impact in their title-winning run.

Here, we rank five of the best defenders in world football right now and explain what value they bring to their team.

#5 Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City

Manchester City are missing the presence of the French international

The biggest compliment that can be given to Aymeric Laporte is that Manchester City miss him more than they did Kevin de Bruyne when he was injured last season. Ever since Pep Guardiola signed him for £57 million from Athletic Club in 2018, Laporte has been a steady and understated presence at the heart of a strong Cityzens' defence.

Arguably the best on on-ball defender in terms of passing and controlling the play in England, Laporte is also a strong set-piece threat and is integral to the way the Cityzens play out from the back. Since his injury a few weeks ago in a Premier League game, Pep Guardiola's side have not looked the same at the back. Neither Nicolas Otamendi nor John Stones have been able to deputize adequately for the Frenchman and City have already dropped eight points in 11 league games so far.

If he was fit and playing right now, Laporte would probably be ranked higher up in this list. As of now, he is still a deserving mention in the top five and Guardiola will be hoping for his centre half to return sooner rather than later.

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#4 Raphael Varane - Real Madrid

Varane has been one of the best centre backs in the world for a while now

Last season was an off-year for Real Madrid as they failed to win anything significant after their hat-trick of Champions League titles. The 2018/19 campaign was also rough on Raphael Varane, who had probably his worst showing for the Los Blancos since he first broke on to the scene under Jose Mourinho years ago.

Coming off an impressive World Cup campaign with the French national team wherein his team went all the way, Varane's performances with Madrid did not quite reflect his quality last year.

However, it speaks volumes about the 26-year old that he still makes this list. As strong in the air as he is on the ball, it is scary to think that Varane is already a four-time Champions League winner and a World Cup winner at such a young age. This season, Varane looks to be coming back to form, as he is currently winning 3 aerial duels on an average per game, while completing 90% of his passes and winning over a tackle every 90 minutes.

The future is uncertain for the French international as he seems to have achieved everything he can with the record Spanish champions, but on his day, Varane is one of the top five defenders in the world - a complete package at the back.

#3 Andrew Robertson - Liverpool FC

Andrew Robertson is one of the most underrated defenders in the world

One of the biggest injustices in this year's FIFA Awards Ceremony was the fact that Andrew Robertson did not make the FifPRO World XI. Since Virgil van Dijk came to Anfield, he has been credited for making the Liverpool defence one of the best in the world.

That fact is indisputable, however, his partner at the left side of the defence who has been almost as important in securing the Liverpool back-line deserves a lot of praise. Before Van Dijk arrived at Anfield, Robertson was making sure that no forward was getting past him - something he is ensuring even now.

The Scottish captain and his fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold form what is arguably the best fullback duo in the league. The latter may have more key passes to his name in the final third, but the former is the complete package at the fullback position. Flawless in possession and one of the best in the world at building gameplay, Robertson is an elite passer of the ball who is as good at the back as he is near the opposition's box.

With 13 assists in all competitions last season, Robertson is a constant threat down the left-hand and side of Liverpool, and when he runs, you would think he has an extra lung in his body. This season, he averages almost 2 tackles and 1.5 key passes per game.

Signed for a meagre £8 million by the Reds, Robertson is one of the bargains of the modern era and has quietly established himself as the best left-back in the world since the beginning of 2018.

#2 Kalidou Koulibaly - SSC Napoli

"I think Koulibaly’s value is £250 million if they paid that much for that guy," said president Aurelio de Laurentiis after Manchester United spent £80 million on centre-back Harry Maguire this summer window.

Laurentiis and Ancelotti have both made clear that Kalidou Koulibaly is the man they would least like to lose, and as of now, Napoli have kept hold of one of the best centre-backs in the world. It is easy to see why the Senegalese international is rated so highly.

Standing at almost 6'4", Koulibaly is a force of nature. This season, he has won almost 3 aerial duels a game while completing just around 90% of his passes in Serie A. In the Champions League, his stats are even better - he is averaging 3 tackles won and 2 interceptions per game, alongside 1.5 blocks.

Koulibaly loves to get into tackles, and at the same time, he is strong in possession and his physical prowess makes it very tough for any forward to get past him. Although Napoli have not had the best of starts in Serie A this season, this Senegalese defender has been as consistent as ever.

One of the best defenders in a league historically known for producing some of the finest players in his position in the modern era, Koulibaly could be one of the most sought after players next summer and any team that gets him will have added a tank at the back.

#1 Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool FC

Virgil Van Dijk has established himself as the best defender in the world

Winner of the UEFA European Player of the Year (the first defender to win the award since they began in 2011), one of the finalists for the FIFA Men's Best Player Award, and one of the frontrunners for the Balon d'Or. Virgil van Dijk is not only the best defender in the world, but is arguably one of the top 3 players in the world since the beginning of 2018.

Since Liverpool bought him for a then-record fee for a defender (£75 million), van Dijk has made the Liverpool defence one of the best in Europe and helped his team to two successive Champions League finals and second place in the Premier League.

Since the beginning of last season, van Dijk went a record 55 games without being dribbled past and established himself as the most dominant centre back in world football. This season, the Dutchman has dropped off a bit, but he still averages an astonishing 5.5 aerial duels won per game while completing almost 90% of his passes, alongside 5 clearances per game.

The former Southampton man is physically intimidating and it could be argued that he's got no glaring weaknesses to his game. He is adept at passing the ball, his speed is almost as devastating as his prowess in the air, and his positioning is perhaps the best in the world. Despite the fact that his recent performances have not matched his own lofty standards, no one can displace van Dijk at the top of this list.

Edited by Vishal Subramanian