10 best young defenders in the world

As we open 2016, it’s worth casting a beady eye over some of the names that will become commonplace in footballing circles as the year progresses. One or two of these names will already be known to you, the high quality of these young defenders’ style of play already elevating them into the top echelons of the game.It might be worth bookmarking this page to revisit it in a year from now because it’s highly likely you’ll know all 10 names well by then...

#1 Daniele Rugani

Although he is struggling to get consistent game time at Juventus, Daniele Rugani remains a wanted man. Both Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be interested in a youngster who played every minute of the Serie A season in the 2014/15 campaign whilst with Empoli.

At just 21 years of age, Rugani has that something about him that marks him out as special. Three bookings in 40 games for a central defender is unheard of in the modern era but evidences the youngsters timing in the tackle. One of his premier assets.

Also a wonderfully intelligent reader of the game, Rugani is tenacious, determined and physical in his role.

It’s no wonder that his star continues to rise.

#2 Alessio Romagnoli

Alessio Romagnoli has had quite a footballing journey already. AC Milan are now the proud owners of his registration for a not insignificant €25m. Signed from AS Roma, the youngster’s potential was actually spotted whilst on loan at Sampdoria when Sinisa Mihajlovic compared him to Italian great Alessandro Nesta. High praise indeed.

Tall, quick and strong there is barely a fault to his game save for perhaps the odd lack of concentration. If anything, perhaps the huge weight of expectation on his young shoulders is the one thing that Romagnoli needs to get to grips with more quickly.

There is no doubt whatsoever that here is a future Italian international for the long term, but the temptation to elevate him quickly must be reined in to allow the player to fully develop every aspect of his natural game at his own pace.

#3 Hector Bellerin

A product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Hector Bellerin opted to continue his footballing education in north London rather than in Catalonia and signed for Arsenal as a 16-year-old. Although it took a few years for the player to truly establish himself, there’s little doubt that Bellerin is now the right-back of choice for the Gunners.

One of the fastest players in the Premier League, he loves to get forward to supplement and support the attack, something he does with aplomb. Needs to improve on his timing in the tackle but has adjusted to the physicality of the league supremely well. A real bargain for Arsene Wenger.

#4 Raphael Varane

A name that is known to everyone with a passing interest in the beautiful game already. It’s still a shock to see Pepe and Sergio Ramos chosen ahead of Raphael Varane at Real Madrid. If the Spanish giants wish to look to the future rather than concentrating on the present then Varane has to be a permanent addition to their starting line-up.

He has as shown that in one-on-ones he has work to do in terms of his positional sense but aerially, in a footrace and in terms of his distribution, there isn’t too much wrong.

Is already captaining his country at just 22 years old, if the French can see his evident and ample potential, why can’t Los Blancos?

#5 Sven Van Beek

A player who almost decided to quit football altogether at 16 years of age, Feyenoord and Dutch football, in general will be pleased that the now 21-year-old centre-back decided not to pursue that course of action.

Sven Van Beek has an incredible range of passing for a young defender with his short and long game not really needing too much refinement at all.

Adept at turning defence into attack, he is perhaps the less physical of Feyenoord’s central defenders, Terrence Kongolo looking after him in this aspect. Where he excels is in a natural ability to anticipate what is going to happen and to snuff out the danger before the opposition have any chance to capitalise.

Under Ronald Koeman’s tutelage earlier in his career it wouldn’t be a great shock to see the player pitch up at St. Mary’s in due course, and the Premier League will be the better for it.

#6 Benjamin Mendy

Marseilles left-back Benjamin Mendy probably isn’t a name that is too well known to many. But he soon will be. Just 21 years of age, Mendy loves to get forward at every opportunity and in many respects resembles the attacking output of Jordi Alba at Barcelona.

Like Alba, he can also be caught out too far upfield if the opposition break at pace, his marauding instincts perhaps needing to be curbed to make him the full package.

He is excellent when in possession of the football and is rarely wasteful when finding a team-mate. An ability to stand tall and not dive in at every opportunity are also meritous.

He is finding more consistency in terms of game time and it would be a surprise if 2016 wasn’t his breakout year.

#7 Marquinhos

Probably the diamond on this list, Marquinhos is metaphorically and often literally head and shoulders above the competition. The Brazilian has enjoyed a stellar career to this point and if recent rumours are to be believed, then a move to Manchester United could be on the cards during the January window.

His understanding of every element of the game defensively is peerless and should really be getting more games at PSG than his more erratic countryman David Luiz.

Quick, sharp and decisive in virtually every situation, even when a mistake is made Marquinhos has the speed of thought and speed over the ground to get back.

Like a well-oiled Ferrari, this is a top of the range and best in show contender.

#8 Jose Maria Gimenez

It’s not an exaggeration to suggest that in Jose Gimenez, Atletico Madrid have a future captain on their hands. A fellow Uruguayan like current captain Diego Godin, whilst Gimenez has a way to go to top the excellence of his countryman, the 20-year-old is on course to cement a place in Atletico's back four for years to come.

Like Godin, he reads the game well and his judgment has rarely been called into question. Gimenez remains an all or nothing player so unless he’s prepared to go all-in for a tackle that he’s sure of winning, the likelihood is he will stay on his feet and read a developing situation with eyes across the line.

If there is an area of improvement that still requires attention it’s after the youngster has won the ball and is looking to the best option to continue the forward movement. His hesitation in providing quick ball has seen the Rojiblancos in unnecessary trouble on occasion.

But in general terms, there is much to admire.

#9 Aymeric Laporte

There’s a good reason why both Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, and most of the top teams in the Premier League are keeping an eye on Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte.

Although he was shown a clear pair of heels by Lionel Messi in last year’s Spanish cup final, Laporte has normally been more than a match for the mercurial genius, and how many defenders get the better of the world’s best player?!

Measured in all aspects of his game, defensively it’s hard to compare him with his contemporaries because he simply has it all.

Awareness, passing accuracy, the ability to bring the ball out of defence calmly. Quick across the ground and strong in the air. There really isn’t a weakness to the 21-year-old’s game and alongside Raphael Varane we are looking at the future of French football defensively.

#10 Niklas Suele

It’s hard to believe that Niklas Suele is still only 20 years of age. The maturity in his game for one so young is what has made him a standout player for Hoffenheim ever since he found his feet after a few shaky starting appearances.

Big and physical, the central defender is no nonsense and in fact, his aggressiveness in play has often seen him admonished by his own manager.

He is a warrior and a leader, and it’s no surprise to find him as a regular in the German U21 side. Calm in possession of the ball, he could probably work on his distribution which is the weakest part of his natural game, but that should by no means take away from the whole package.

This is a youngster going places. Remember the name.

Edited by Staff Editor