'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
18. Federico Fazio
Once a Tottenham flop, Fazio has resurrected his career in the Italian capital playing for AS Roma. The Argentine is one of the tallest players in the World Cup, measuring at 1.95 metres. This height has been a great asset for Fazio throughout his career, as the Argentine won 4.4 aerial duels per game, a number ranking third in Serie A (and highest for a defender). His aerial prowess is also vital in attacking set pieces for Roma as he has scored six goals for the Italian team over the past two seasons. The defender also made 1.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game- both excellent numbers considering that the 31 year old plays for a fairly attacking Roma team. Overall, Fazio had an average WhoScored player rating of 7.26 which was tied for the 17th highest player rating in Serie A. Perhaps most comfortingly for a fragile Argentina team, Fazio also performed well at the highest stage with an average player rating of 7.07 in the UEFA Champions League for a Roma team that reached the semi-finals. However, Fazio’s passing was rather poor for a centre-back with only a 84.4% pass success percentage. This will have to improve for Argentina, as the Albiceleste look to win their first World Cup since 1986.
17. Andreas Christensen
One of the positives from what was a very disappointing Chelsea season, Christensen has proven himself to be an excellent centre-back. Christensen’s best attribute last season was his passing, as he managed to help build Chelsea attacks from the heart of Antonio Conte’s three man defence. The Dane had the highest pass success percentage (93.4%) in the Premier League. The Chelsea defender’s passing was also complemented by his aerial excellence as he won 68% of his aerial duels. The Dane also showed outstanding discipline throughout the Premier League season as he only committed 0.3 fouls per game in 2017-18. This was also replicated in his tackling where he won 91% of his tackles. Unfortunately the Chelsea defender perhaps lacks the experience that Denmark will need in the World. That along with his poor defensive statistics (as he only averaged 1 tackle and 1.4 interceptions per game) prevent Christensen from rising further in these rankings.
