Best Defenders in Football 2020
The importance of a robust, headstrong defender in your playing eleven can’t be undermined.
Over the past few years, however, we have seen that a great defence is as important (if not more) than a great offence, when it comes to winning titles.
The football fraternity has been graced by many great defenders such as Carles Puyol, Fabio Cannavaro, Nesta, Stam, Ferdinand, Carragher, Sami Hypia and many more.
Without further ado, let’s take a look the Best Defenders in Football at present.
#5 Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique has been one of the best defenders in the world for the past decade and has helped his side Barcelona to bag countless trophies.
The Spanish defender is one of the most decorated players and has been gifted with various defensive skills. While he has also scored some memorable goals.
He may be 32 now, but Pique is ever fit. He formed a blossoming partnership with France stopper Clement Lenglet which is likely to see Barça through again in 2019/20. Pique might not be a perfect centre back at the moment perfect but remains centre-back managers want to have around.
He has been fantastic for Barcelona after making a move from Manchester United and would go down as one of the best defenders of all time.
#4 Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane is an astute centre back who is always on his perch for the Los Blancos. The World Cup winner with France is one of the upmarket defenders in the world at the moment and his importance in Real Madrid’s squad can’t be undermined.
Coming off an impressive World Cup campaign with the French national team wherein his team went all the way, Varane’s performances with Madrid did not quite reflect his quality last year.
However, it speaks volumes about the 26-year old that he still makes this list. As strong in the air as he is on the ball, it is scary to think that Varane is already a four-time Champions League winner and a World Cup winner at such a young age. He also has a good distribution in him which adds further to his value
The future is uncertain for the French international as he seems to have achieved everything he can with the record Spanish champions, but on his day, Varane is one of the top five defenders in the world for sure.
#3 Kalidou Koulibaly
Senegalese defensive maestro Kalidou Koulibaly has been a real revelation and his displays for Napoli have been outstanding.
”I think Koulibaly’s value is £250 million if they paid that much for that guy,” said president Aurelio de Laurentis after Manchester United splashed £80 million on centre-back Harry Maguire in the last summer window.
He has been constantly linked with a move to top European clubs.
Standing at almost 6’4″, Koulibaly is a robust defender.
Koulibaly loves to get into robust tackles, and at the same time, he is strong in possession too and his physical ranks make it very tough for any forward to get past him. Although Napoli has not had the best of starts in Serie A this season, this Senegalese defender has been as consistent as ever for the Italian side.
He has been stellar for Napoli and it’s no surprise to see him appearing in this list.
#2 Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte’s injury has had a great impact on Manchester City’s performances and this highlights his importance and his ranks.
Signed for a blockbuster fee in 2017, Laporte quickly settled in City’s XI. Moreover, he soon became one of the first names in the squad of the Etihad Club.
He is expected to return to training soon but his injury has been a big blow to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
Arguably he is one of the best on on-ball defender in terms of passing and controlling the play in England. Laporte is also a strong set-piece threat and is integral to the way the Cityzens play out from the back.
Sure;y he would ave topped this list if Virgil Van Dijk hasn’t been that good.
#1 Virgil Van Dijk
Who would have thought this Dutch defender would turn out to be this good?
Liverpool’s unbelievable Virgil Van Dijk is the best defender in the world by far and no one comes close to him. He has had a phenomenal impact on Liverpool and he has been one of the strongest reasons for Liverpool’s surge.
He is one of the first names on the sheet and he is just brilliant. He challenged Lionel Messi for Ballon d’Or and missed by a very few numbers.
The Dutch defensive superstar won 3major trophies namely- UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup in the span of 6 months with Liverpool. While his team is on the course to secure another trophy and it’s the Premier League title.
He is so sharp in tackling, recovery, distribution and game sense. While he is a leader on the pitch. He is a complete defensive package and undisputedly tops this list.
