There's no stronger English footballing archetype than the dominant, talismanic central defender.
From the likes of Tony Adams and John Terry to celebrated imports such as Jaap Stam and Virgil van Dijk, the Premier League has seen a host of great centre-backs. These days, the position has taken on added importance: central defenders are no longer required to be primarily 'stoppers' but key components in build-up play for possession-based teams.
As the summer 2023 transfer window was about to close, The Sporting News polled its football writers to rank the top performers in each position. We used those rankings to generate an average and offer a top-20 list of central defenders.
Is Van Dijk still considered the best of his position, or will one of Pep Guardiola's army of Manchester City defenders — a group bolstered by €80million man Josko Gvardiol — usurp him?
Read on to find out our top centre-backs in the Premier League, ranked from 20 to one.
MORE: Will Man City win the Premier League? Predictions, betting odds for 2023/24 season
TOP 20 CENTRE-BACKS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
20. Benoit Badiashile (Chelsea)
As with most of the vast influx into Stamford Bridge, Badiashile will face a fight to establish himself under Mauricio Pochettino. However, it is in the young Frenchman's favour that he stood out as a rare bright spot during a desolate second half of last season.
19. Sven Botman (Newcastle United)
Another example of Newcastle's sensible and shrewd transfer dealings since being furnished with vast Saudi fortunes. A solid defence was the foundation of their run to the Champions League places and none of it would have been possible without the imposing, ice-cold Botman.
18. Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
Colwill thrived on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion last season, looking every inch the modern-day defender. An accomplished and left-footed ball-playing centre-back, Pochettino seemingly wants to make him a key part of his plans.
17. Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
A Chelsea academy product who went on to thrive at Swansea City and now at Palace, he did not make the cut for the 2022 World Cup after being handed an England debut earlier in the year by Gareth Southgate but uncertainty around the central defensive positions for the Three Lions makes this dependable performer feel like a very good bet for the Euros. He's in the latest squad, too.
16. Ethan Pinnock (Brentford)
Jamaica international Pinnock has had a slow-burn of a career in English football but is now a mainstay of one of the most impressively drilled defensive units in the Premier League. He made the most clearances of any defender in the league last season with 214. No one else registered in excess of 200.
15. Fabian Schar (Newcastle United)
The classy Switzerland international boasts one of the best partnerships in the Premier League alongside Botman at St James' Park. His 52 interceptions and 191 duels won were the third and joint-fourth best respectively among defenders in England's top flight last season.
14. Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
Sometimes a player you have to watch through your fingers, but Romero is an uncompromising, front-foot defender now buoyed by playing a key part in a World Cup triumph. He could really thrive under Ange Postecoglou at Spurs.
13. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
A high-quality, versatile defender from the Ajax production line, Timber offered a tantalising glimpse of his talents during the Community Shield when Arsenal beat Manchester City on penalties. The serious knee injury he suffered a week later against Nottingham Forest was so dreadfully unfortunate.
12. Manuel Akanji (Manchester City)
A deadline-day steal from Borussia Dortmund last season, Akanji grasped his opportunity to become a vital part of City's treble-winning side. Instantly comfortable in a high line and with the ball-carrying demands placed upon him, Akanji excelled during the season run-in when asked to fill both full-back positions as Guardiola sought new tactical solutions.
11. Nathan Ake (Manchester City)
Arguably no defender was a better fit for Guardiola's hybrid back three/four than Ake, who made the left centre-back/full-back position his own. The Dutchman's form was so impressive that the previously imperious Aymeric Laporte was left seeking pastures new.
10. Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion)
The rock-solid foundation at the base of Brighton's fantasy football, Dunk made more recoveries (253) than any other Premier League centre-back and as team-mates past and present enjoy the attentions of big clubs, he simply gets on with the task at hand and goes from strength to strength.
9. Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
Guardiola held his near-namesake in such high regard that even City walloping RB Leipzig 7-0 in the Champions League last season couldn't persuade him against a £77.5 million / $97.6 million swoop. A left-sided defender, the Croatia international looks to be the full package, from his imposing physicality to composure in possession and a rare ability to carry the ball forward at pace.
8. Raphael Varane (Manchester United)
The effortless poise and class that made Varane one of the finest central defenders in Europe when collecting trophies at Real Madrid remain in evidence. Unfortunately for United and Erik ten Hag, so does that troublesome injury record.
7. Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
When he joined Chelsea in 2020, Thiago Silva probably didn't expect to be one of the club's longest-serving players three years later. At 38, he is the elder statesman of a raw and youthful dressing room and remains vital, especially as Pochettino operates with a back three.
6. Gabriel (Arsenal)
Arsenal's uneven form at the start of the 2023/24 season has led to a clamour for Mikel Arteta to restore Gabriel to his starting XI. The Brazilian centre-back added maturity and composure to his obvious ability last season to thrive alongside William Saliba. His 194 duels won was the third-best return for a centre-back in the division.
5. Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
Martinez's diminutive stature led to a few raised eyebrows with Ten Hag brought him in from Ajax. The Dutchman's propensity for shopping at his former club has led to a reasonable amount of scrutiny but the tough-tackling and unswervingly committed Argentinian defender has proved to be the best of those who have swapped Amsterdam for Manchester.
4. William Saliba (Arsenal)
Would the Premier League title race have panned out any differently had Saliba not suffered an ill-timed injury during the run-in? It's a tantalising 'what if', but something we know for certain is that the Frenchman is one of the very best defenders in Europe right now.
3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Van Dijk is not the same player he was before the severe knee injury he suffered under a rash challenge from Jordan Pickford in 2020. Back then, he'd have topped this list at a canter, but Liverpool would still hate to be without one of their modern greats.
2. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Dias joined a City defence in a degree of shambles in September 2020. They'd just lost their previous game 5-2 at home to Leicester City and the Portugal star quickly proved to be a transformative presence. He excelled during the treble run last season: the uncompromising, granite centre of a sprawling football machine.
1. John Stones (Manchester City)
Finding his perfect partner in Dias, Stones has taken his game to new heights. His performances last season as a hybrid defender/midfielder were a revelation, culminating in a bravura showing in the Champions League final. A wonderfully complete central defender at the peak of his powers.
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