The Role of a centre back in a football match is as important as that of a striker and they play a key role in providing the strikers a better chance to keep going with their attacking play in the opposition’s half. Moreover, the absence of an Efficient Centre back puts unnecessary pressure on the playing side and same can often lead to over reliance on the Centre forwards and the midfielders subsequently. Having said that, let’s have a look at some of the best Centre backs around the world currently.
#1 Sergio Ramos ( Spain and Real Madrid)
Sergio Ramos is that one name which has proved his prowess in making equal impacts in both the halves during the match. His capabilities as a Centre back for both his National Team Spain and Club Real Madrid doesn’t need any proof and he has turned himself into a player who always rise to the occasion and score all those crucial goals for his team when and wherever required.
The main key for his success can said to be his ability to read the game well and maintaining his focus on the opposition’s key player during the match which although has made him one of the most criticised player on the pitch, but still good enough to make his team earn crucial wins.
#2 Raphael Varane ( Real Madrid and France)
Raphael Varane has certainly been phenomenal in the recently concluded World cup and his capabilities have made his team win the world cup for the second time in the history. This is not it as he has also been a part of four champions’ leagues and two La liga title wins for his team Real Madrid. Quite surprisingly, he has achieved all this at the age of 25 and his potentials seem like going to earn him some more success in the coming future for sure.
#3 Virgil Van Dijk ( Liverpool and Netherlands)
Virgil Van Dijk is one of the few examples in the world of football who have often went down in the bunch of few non performing team mates and same has been his fate ever since with his national team Netherlands. Moreover, he got better chances to prove his worth while playing for Southampton and that’s where a turn in his fortunes came over eventually.
As of now, he is been counted as one of the best players in the centre back position and made his current team Liverpool rise from the ashes ever since he joined them.
#4 Diego Godin ( Uruguay and Atletico Madrid)
It’s not very often that you find a player as good as Diego Godin who is at the top of his game even at the age of 32 years. His perfection in the defence is as good as his ability to take the ball forward when and wherever his team requires the same.
While playing for Team Uruguay in the recently concluded world cup, he has proved to everyone why experts around the world count on his so much. He not only put his defence to perfection, but scored for is team at real crucial junctures.
#5 Gerard Pique (Spain and Barcelona)
The success of Barcelona can somewhere be credited to their defence line and while we are talking about their Defence, its Gerard Pique which has helped them to stay clear of tough rivals like Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Although his performances have mostly been overshadowed by the heroics of their team’s ‘Messi-ah’, he has still made himself one of the players to be counted upon whenever his team need it.
#6 Kalidou Koulibaly ( Napoli and Senegal)
Kalidou Koulibaly is a name which has seriously proved his significance in the recent success of his team Napoli in the Serie A and while they have lost one of their key players Jorginho to switch over to an EPL side like Chelsea, he has made his place intact with full impact on his team’s performance within the process.
Koulibaly has always been a man with a heavy built who can easily tackle the attack from the opposition’s strikers with utmost ease while controlling and passing the ball with same skill set.
#7 Jan Vertonghen (Belgium and Tottenham Hotspur)
Vertonghen is one of those players which can be deemed responsible for Tottenham hotspurs big success saga in the past few years. Even now when he is into his 8th year with the team, he is still been counted amongst one of the best Centre backs which are playing in the English premier league currently.
From one on one combats to take on Ariel shots with great perfection, Vertonghen is a master in the art of Defense and same can be witnessed by seeing his performance on the pitch for his team.
#8 Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich and Germany)
Even though Germany has bowed out of the recently concluded world cup in the worst manner possible, we can’t deny the key role played by Mats hummels in their defence over the past few years. His perfection was the sole reason why he was approached by Bayern Munich to complete a switch from his previous team Borussia Dortmund and we can still the same kind of technical capabilities and composure in the game of this 29 years old Centre back.
He doesn’t only limit his job to the defence and go with the same approach while making some great crosses for his centre forwards and midfielders in the process.
#9 Thiago Silva (Brazil and PSG)
Thiago Silva can be considered as the best centre back for his team PSG and while his recent performance weren’t as good as he liked them to be, his big list of injuries can be blamed for the same. Still, we can surely say that this 33 year old posses enough brilliance to make him stand on par with one of the best Centre backs in the world today.
Moreover, he is now into his 6th season for his team and we can surely hope for some more magic from this Defence artist in the PSG line up.
#10 Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham and Belgium)
Although Toby Alderweireld has been heavily linked with Manchester united for a summer transfer, he stood adamant with his team Tottenham with great commitment. Moreover, he was a part of the Belgium team which has impressed everyone with their performance in the recently concluded World cup and while the team eventually finished at no. 3 spot, Toby can be expected to create some more wonders for his club in the upcoming season.
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