'%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)
With the calendar year of 2015 drawing to a close, it is almost customary for fans of the beautiful game to kick back and recall some of the memorable performances and exhilarating events in the footballing world. While the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar mesmerized us throughout the year, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were the surpise package of the year.Barcelona ended up with the most number of trophies in Europe this year, but football keeps surprising us as Leicester City are near the top of the Premier League at the end of the year. While a lot of new players came in to impress, some of the elder stars are still going strong. With teams winning trophies, doubles and even trebles, there have been a number of high-performing players who deserve all the accolades that come their way.Looking at the calendar year 2015, we have shortlisted 10 of the best defenders this year. The players appear in no particular order.Who is your pick? Remember to vote in the poll at the end of the article.
#1 Laurent Koscielny - Arsenal
Frenchman Laurent Koscielny has developed into one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League at the Emirates. The 30-year-old who arrived at Arsenal from French side Lorient in 2010 has become one of the first names on Arsene Wengers team roster.
Although he struggled for consistency and critical decision-making early on in his Arsenal career, he has come off age and has transformed his game. He has formed a solid defensive partnership with German teamate Per Mertersacker and have been one of the most effective defensive partnerships in the Premier League for a while now.
Koscielny has been one of the standout performers for the Gunners in 2015. He was instrumental as Arsenal successfully defended their FA Cup title against Aston Villa in the final in May last season.
#2 David Alaba - Bayern Munich
David Alaba is one of the finest young defenders in the world currently. The 23-year-old Austrian star who mostly occupies the left back position for Bayern Munich is unbelievably versatile and can slip into the midfield and centre back positions with equal ease and is a dream addition to any manager.
At 17 years of age, Alaba became the youngest player to have debuted for both the Austrian national team and the Bayern Munich senior side. He has good pace, can deliver excellent crosses and is extremely comfortable with running with the ball which make him a deadly prospect for opposition defences. He is equally good tracking back and has a great engine.
Alaba was an active member of a Bayern side which won the Bundesliga title last season. Also, the defender was named in the UEFA Champions League group stages team of the year 2014/15 due to his stellar performances.
Also, the five time Austrian Player of the Year was pivotal in guiding his country to the finals of the EURO 2016 scheduled to be held next summer. He amassed an impressive four goals and three assists in eight appearances in the qualifying rounds.
#3 Chris Smalling - Manchester United
Chris Smalling was signed by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson from Fulham in 2010. Brought in by the club seeing his potential, Smalling struggled to break into the first team until recently due to inconsistent performances and recurring injuries.
However, the 26-year-old has made massive improvements to his game and is currently the undisputed first choice centre back at the club. The English International was an integral part of Louis van Gaal’s United side which ended up among the Champions League places in the League and returned to Europe’s elite club competition after a two year hiatus.
Despite Manchester United’s struggles in the Premier League, Smailling has had a remarkable season personally. The defender has been a rock at the back for the Red Devils and has marshalled his side’s rearguard well. He has played in 18 of the 19 games United have played this season and also appeared in all six Champions League group stage matches for the club.
His impressive defensive displays this season has brought in appreciation from all quarters. Legendary Liverpool defender turned Television pundit Jamie Carragher called even him ‘the best defender in the Premier League in the current season’.
#4 Thiago Silva - PSG
Brazil International Thiago Silva is considered by many has one of the best central defenders in the world. His move from AC Milan to current club Paris Saint-Germain in 2012 made him the second most expensive defender in football history behind only former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand which illustrates how highly he is rated.
The 31-year-old is known for his leadership abilities, accurate passing, strength, aerial prowess and ability to spot danger and is not known to have any particular weakness in his defensive game. The defender is also more than useful in the offensive realm via set pieces.
Legendary Italy and AC Milan defender had this to say about the Brazilian: "In Italy, we had a great tradition for defenders, but now we don’t have anymore. I don’t know why. I believe that Thiago Silva is the best in the world right now."
The PSG skipper has led his side to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles with the latest being last season with the Parisians winning the league with an 8-point gap over second-placed Lyon. However, the current season has his side build a seemingly unassailable 19-point lead in the league table midway through the season. And the Silva-led defense has kept an unreal 11 cleansheets in 18 games.
However, the defender had a forgettable Copa America earlier in the year as Brazil were knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinals by Paraguay.
#5 Gerard Pique - Barcelona
The controversial Barcelona defender is one of the top ball-playing centre-backs in world football. The Spanish International who is in his eight season with the Catalan giants, is also one of the most decorated footballers around with 24 major titles with Barcelona and former club Manchester United.
He was also part of the Spanish squad that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA EURO championships.
The 28-year-old had a season to remember as Barcelona won the La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League thereby winning the treble for an unprecedented second time in the club’s history. He was also named in the La Liga Team of the Season for his solid displays throughout last season.
Additionally, he also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup to make it five trophies out of the six available in a sensational season for the club.
He also helped Spain qualify for the EURO 2016 as winners of Group C of the qualifying stage making eight appearances for La Roja in the process.
#6 Ricardo Rodriguez - Wolfsburg
Ricardo Ivan Rodriguez Araya is among the most coveted left backs in the world football. Currently plying his trade in Germany with Wolfsburg, the Swiss International has been churning out eye-catching performances with enviable consistency.
The 23-year-old defender moved to Wolfsburg in 2012 from Swiss side FC Zurich and has been a mainstay in Dieter Heckings plans.
Rodriguez was instrumental in his clubs successful run last season as they won the DFB Pokal beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1. They also finished runners-up to Bavarian giants Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga to cap off a memorable season.
Along with last seasons German Player of the Season Kevin de Bruyne, the full-back was among the standout performers in Wolfsburgs miracle season. He was also part of the Switzerland national side which qualified for the 2016 Euros as runners up behind England in their group making eight appearances in total.
The defender has also personally managed a good start to the 2015/16 season which includes 2 goals and an assist in 12 appearances so far for his club.
#7 Giorgio Chiellini - Juventus
Chiellini has been one of the most consistent and reliable defenders for club and country for a long time now. The no-nonsense Italian centre-back has been at the heart of the Juventus defense since 2005 and has showed no signs of letting up.
He has won a remarkable eight major titles with the Turin giants which include four Scudetti. The 31-year-old is an embodiment of concentration and a champion tackler. He is superb in the air and can distribute the ball decisively and effortlessly.
Chiellini had an excellent year with Juventus as they won the Serie A for the fourth year running and reached the finals of the Champions League only to lose to an impeccable Barcelona side. Owing to his solid displays, he was named in both the Serie A and the Champions League Team of the Year.
The defender also had a major hand in Italy’s qualification to next summer’s Euros as he scored twice and bagged an assist in eight games as the Azzurri emerged at the top of their qualifying group.
#8 Hector Bellerin - Arsenal
Hector Bellerin has burst onto the scene for Arsenal last season. The Spaniard who arrived from Barcelona in 2013 has been a permanent fixture in Arsene Wengers best Arsenal starting XI.
The 20-year-old right back shows maturity beyond his tender age. He has terrific composure on the ball and is equally comfortable going forward and tracking back. He can run with the ball and is a more than decent dribbler.
Bellerin was part of the Arsenal side which won the FA Cup in May beating Aston Villa in the final. Also, he won the 2015/16 curtain raiser, the FA Community shield as the Gunners beat last seasons Premier League champions Chelsea.
In light of his excellent performances over the year, the former Barcelona youth player was awarded the Catalan Young Player of the Year in November.
#9 Diego Godin - Atletico Madrid
Diego Godin is among the best centre backs in the world hands down. The Uruguayan has been the solid foundation over which manager Diego Simeone has built his Atletico Madrid side that has been consistently punching above their weight to break the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga.
The 29-year-old centre back is a highly rliable figure at the heart of the defense. His reading of the game is as good as any of the top defenders and his anticipation is impeccable. He is good in the air which makes him a threat for the opposition during set-pieces.
Though Atletico Madrid finished the previous season in a distant third place inLa Liga, Godin had a good year personally. He was included in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Group Stage.
However, he could not inspire Uruguay past the quarterfinals of the Copa America as they crashed out with a defeat to eventual winners and hosts Chile.
#10 Phillip Lahm - Bayern Munich
Phillip Lahm is regarded by many as the one of the best right backs the beautiful game has ever seen. The former Germany captain is quite simply the quintessential right back and his inclusion in this list is just a formality as much as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo making the list of best forwards each year.
Lahm who retired from International football after he led Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 is one of the most celebrated footballers ever.was included in theWorld Cup team of the tournament in2006,2010, and 2014, and the UEFA Team of the Tournament in 2008 and2012 and in theUEFA Team of the Year 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Although right-footed, he can play equally well with his left foot and is unbelievably versatile. He is renowned for his pace, stamina and precise tackling. HIs telepathic reading of the game sets him apart from most of his counterparts.
Lahm won his seventh Bundesliga title with Bayern last season. He also led Bayern to the semi-finals of the Champions League where they lost to eventual champions Barcelona.
