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Once you kick-start your managerial venture in Football Manager 2015, it’s hard to avoid signing the very best players available and watch their impact on your team. The first instinct while starting a new game is to splash the cash on the new star players, wonder kids, and the best available players in the transfer market who will make your team look very strong.The centre-backs play a vital role in the team and are responsible for nullifying the threats from opposition players. They are the unsung heroes who make your team look strong on the defensive end of the side. In Football Manager 2015, there are more than 500+ centre-backs, but here we have chosen the best ten players who can make an instant impact for your team once bought. Some players may be costly some may be cheap, but these players will surely help you to clinch the title with some impressive performances.
#10 Niklas Sule
Team: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Approximate Transfer fee: £6 million
The 19-year-old German defender burst into the first team action last season and already has 27 appearances with 4 goals to his name. He is a good header of the ball and has high attributes for marking, tackling, bravery and strength. Relatively young, Sule is available for a bargain price and can become a star of the team in as many seasons.
#9 Nicolas Otamendi
Team: Valencia
Approximate Transfer fee: £8 million
The former Porto player currently plays with La Liga side Valencia and is your perfect central/limited defender who is good at tackling, marking and heading the ball. The Argentine International is also capable of playing as a right back for the team, as a cover.
He has high attributes for strength, positioning, work rate and anticipation.
#8 John Stones
Team: Everton
Approximate Transfer fee: £8 million
The 20-year-old England International burst into the first team action last season and has cemented his position in the Everton defence along with club legend Phil Jagielka. Stones is capable of playing as a right back and can be a cover for the full back position. He is your typical ball playing defender who has good attributes for Passing, first touch, tackling and marking.
He has high attributes for Composure, positioning, anticipation and work rate.
#7 Jesus Vallejo
Team: Real Zaragoza
Approximate Transfer fee: £3 million
The young Spanish centre-back currently plays for Real Zaragoza and is available for a meagre £3 million. Vallejo is comfortable playing as a centre-back or as a holding midfielder covering the defence of the team. He has the potential to become a future star and buying him for a smaller price will help you gain more profit after few seasons with your team.
His best in-game attributes are Tackling, Passing, First touch and Marking.
#6 Guillermo Burdisso
Team: Boca Juniors
Approximate Transfer fee: £3 million
Guillermo Burdisso currently plays for Boca Juniors. A rock solid defender who tries to launch the counter attack with his accurate long-range passes. The towering central defender is valued around £3 million and should be your first choice defender if you plan to buy a centre back for your team.
His best in-game attributes are Heading, Tackling, Positioning and Strength. He can also be used as a cover for the right back slot.
#5 Rafael Toloi
Team: Sao Paulo
Approximate Transfer fee: £4 million
The Brazilian-born Central Defender has been touted as “highly rated” player for the past few years, He had a brief spell on loan with AS Roma but failed to make his move permanent with the club. Toloi primarily plays as Central Defender but is capable of playing in both flanks.
He has not been capped at senior level but was a long-term player with the youth set-up. For £4 million he is your best bargain buy and his best in-game attributes are Tackling, Anticipation, Determination and Natural Fitness.
#4 Samuel Umtiti
Team: Olympique Lyonnais
Approximate Transfer fee: £8 million
Samuel Umtiti may not be a cheap option by any stretch, but certainly a future superstar if you decide to splash the cash. He has good pace, marking and tackling attributes and is also comfortable playing as left back. The 21-year-old French defender has already made more than 80 appearances for the French side and has cemented his position in the heart of the Lyon defence.
A versatile defender who is relatively young and can bring you profits if you decide to cash in on his talent after few seasons.
#3 Nicolas NKoulou
Team: Olympique de Marseille
Approximate Transfer fee: £10 million
The 24-year old Cameroonian currently plays for Olympique de Marseille and has a release clause of £20 million in his contract. The towering defender will be a great addition to your team as he has good marking, tackling and heading attributes and is quite agile for his physique.
He is also comfortable playing in the holding midfield role as an anchorman and can be used in certain big matches where you think your defence looks pretty bleak at the back.
#2 Doria
Team: Olympique de Marseille
Approximate Transfer fee: £7 million
The second player from Olympique de Marseille, the Brazilian defender is touted to be the next big thing in the football along with the first on this list. The wonder kid currently plays for Sao Paulo FC, on loan from the french side and will cost you £7 million.
This is really a bargain price for his talent and within four to five seasons he has the potential to become the highest valued central defender in the game. He is verstaile and can be used as cover in the full back position.
#1 Eder Alvarez Balanta
Team: River Plate
Approximate Transfer fee: £6 million
The Colombian Central Defender is only 21 but is already a regular on the National side. He is pacy, aggressive and a versatile defender. His primary position is that of a centre-back, but he is comfortable playing at left back too. FIFA in their website described him as “left-footed, powerfully built, strong in the air and a fearless tackler ... blessed with skill and speed”.
His best in-game attribute is Marking. He is surely a promising and young talented defender who can be bought for a very less amount but gives you impressive performances week in week out.
