Top 5 goalscoring defenders in the Premier League

A team relies on its forwards and midfielders to add to the goal tally week in-week out.

Nowadays, the defenders too have shared the responsibility to make the scoreboard tick every now and then. Ball playing defenders are the new favourites among managers everywhere. These guys not only bring the ball upfield but also provide assists and score a goal every now and then, making darting runs from defence to the opposition box.

Some defenders have also mastered their skills with the dead ball to a level where the team relies on them to take the set-pieces and score the important goals.

We take a look at 5 such defenders who actively participate in the goalscoring agenda of the team in the Premier League

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#5 Shkodran Mustafi

The German has made scoring look easy

Mustafi is a German footballer who plays as a centre back for Arsenal FC and the German national team.

He began his professional footballing career in the youth side of German team Hamburger and Merseyside club Everton, where he made only one substitute appearance before leaving for Italian club Sampdoria in January of 2012. He signed with Valencia on a 5 year deal in August 2014

The German international was bought from Valencia for a reported fee of €41 Million to shore an Arsenal defence that was in tatters.

Although his defensive work has been criticized more often than not, his goalscoring exploits have saved his reputation for a long time.

Mustafi has scored 3 goals while also providing an assist for his teammates.These goals came at an important time for Arsenal when he scored against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, the opening goal against Crystal Palace and against a hapless Watford side.

#4 Chris Smalling

Smalling saved United the blushes when he scored against City in early April

Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United along with Eric Bailly.

At a young age, Smalling played at the Millwall academy in England before joining Maidstone United. He signed for Middlesbrough in May 2008. However, shortly after joining Middlesbrough, Smalling had his contract with the club cancelled and he signed for Fulham in June 2008.

In January of 2010, Chris signed an agreement with Manchester United and joined them officially in July 2010.

Smalling has scored 4 goals that came against Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, the winner against local rivals Manchester City and against Bournemouth. He has ironically scored more goals in the Premier League in 2018 than January signing Alexis Sanchez.

#3 Nicolas Otamendi

The Argentine has been impressive this season

Otamendi is an Argentine footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester City and La Albiceleste.

He played for Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aries and Porto in Portugal during his early career, winning eight titles with the Portuguese outfit including three national trophies and the Europa League in 2011.

In February of 2014, Otamendi was sold to Valencia CF in La Liga on a five-year contract and in 2015, he signed for Manchester City for a reported fee of €44.6 million.

Otamendi has been a rock at the back for the Manchester team that cruised to the title this season with the Argentine also helping out with the goal scoring. He has scored 4 goals for his team, all of them coming at crucial times when the team needed it the most.

His first goal of the league season came when City humiliated Watford 0-6, then against a defensively strong Burnley side, then the equalizer against David Moyes' West Ham and then finally the winner against derby rivals Manchester United in December.

#2 Nacho Monreal

Monreal has been outstanding for the London club this season

Monreal is a Spanish footballer who plays both as a left back and a centre back for north London club Arsenal and the Spanish national team.

He started his career playing with Spanish second-tier Osasuna in 2005, appearing in 144 games for them over the course of five seasons. In 2011 he was signed by Málaga and two years later he joined Arsenal FC for a reported fee of €10 million, winning three FA Cups during his time in England.

Monreal plays for Arsenal FC as a left back even though the club bought Sead Kolasinac from Schalke. He has been a revelation for the club scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists for the Gunners.

His league goals came against a newly promoted Brighton side, against Merseyside club Everton, a goal and 2 assists against Crystal Palace and during an away loss to Swansea.

#1 Marcos Alonso

His ability with the dead ball amongst defenders is second to none

Alonso is a Spanish footballer who plays as a left back or a left wing-back for London club Chelsea FC and the Spanish national team.

He started his career with the Real Madrid youth teams as he was born in Madrid, but went on to make his name with the second-tier club Bolton Wanderers and later with Italian club Fiorentina. His success at the Serie A club led Chelsea to sign him for an estimated €23 million in the summer of 2016.

His performances for Antonio Conte's side have been marvellous to say the least. He has scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists for the Stamford Bridge outfit this season in the Premier League. He also has an eye for the occasional goal from set-pieces.

He scored a brace against local rivals Tottenham back in August, a goal against bottom-placed side West Bromwich Albion, as well as the only goal against their FA Cup rivals Southampton in December.

He also scored against newly promoted Brighton and in the London derby against Arsenal while providing assists for his teammates Willian and Oliver Giroud against Huddersfield and in their last match against Southampton respectively.

Video: Alonso's goals and assists for the 17/18 season