Best Defenders In The World (2021/22)
Selecting the best defenders in the world in 2021-22 is a more complex endeavour than their goal scoring counterparts. Successful defences are a unit, a result of cohesion and a team-wide strategy.
If a defender is removed from his team, it’s difficult to judge their impact in isolation. Countless defenders have looked top tier on one team and then been all at sea the next.
Playing a low block with two defensive midfielders is incomparable to the demands of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s high lines. Even the term ‘defenders’ is broad. Pitting the influence of Trent Alexander-Arnold against Lewis Dunk is pretty much impossible.
Instead of throwing in full-backs and wing-backs who are judged for their attacking play at least as much as their defending, we’re focusing on central defenders here.
Let’s dive into our 10 best defenders in the world in 2021-22.
Ruben Dias
Named FWA Footballer of the Year last season, Ruben Dias and the Manchester City defence have picked up where they left off. Dias continues to bring calm to the City back line.
What’s perhaps most impressive about Dias’ game, though, is his combination of on-ball skill and physical presence. He’s got aggression and physical attributes to go against the Premier League’s bruisers. He’s also two-footed and comfortable in possession.
Dias is the perfect Pep Guardiola Premier League centre-back. Manchester City continue to post outrageously good defensive numbers, even after the nine-goal thriller with Leicester on Boxing Day. Dias is a huge part of that.
Virgil van Dijk
Narrowly missing out to Lionel Messi for the 2019 Ballon d’Or, Virgil van Dijk is not only one of the best defenders in the world in 2021-22. He’s among the elite across all positions, a true juggernaut at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.
Van Dijk stands at 6’4, though he seldom looks lumbering. He’s fleet of foot to chase down attackers and to quickly steal the ball even from the nimblest of dribblers.
Add the exceptional on-ball ability, and van Dijk is the total package in central defence. It would be hard to design a better 21st century centre-back.
Giorgio Chiellini
He might have celebrated his 37th birthday in the summer, but Giorgio Chiellini continues to perform at the highest level. His efforts in Italy’s glorious Euro 2020 campaign were just another example of Chiellini’s standards.
Things haven’t been exactly smooth for Juventus over the last couple of seasons, yet they still have the second-best defence by expected goals in 2021-22.
Sure, Chiellini isn’t as mobile as he once was, but it would be a big call to leave him out of the top 10 defenders in the world this season.
Milan Skriniar
Serie A-leading Inter have conceded just 15 league goals this term. Milan Skriniar is a key cog. In fact, there’s a case to be made that all three of Inter’s back line should be on this list.
Skriniar is a warrior. Never afraid to put his body on the line, the Slovakian is posting 2.8 clearances per game in Serie A and has the most blocks per contest of their regular players.
Solid in possession and rarely turning it over, Skriniar isn’t as adept a passer as some others here, but when it comes to pure defensive ability, he’s right up there.
Raphael Varane
This is a generous selection. Raphael Varane has been in and out of the Manchester United team due to injuries and he’s yet to settle into a central defensive partnership with Harry Maguire.
On pure ability alone, though, Varane warrants a place in this group.
There’s no doubting his ability, and if United are to become a better defensive team, it will definitely involve Varane and Maguire becoming a solid pair at the back.
Marquinhos
PSG’s season hasn’t exactly been perfect. They have been lax at times in Ligue 1. The ceiling for this team is still incredibly high, however.
Marquinhos is crucial. The attack will find a way, but the club captain is the leader and best defender. He needs to be at his best if PSG are to put together a deep Champions League run, and the pressure on him has not waned with Sergio Ramos’ arrival.
Much like Dias and van Dijk, there are no obvious flaws in Marquinhos’ game.
Eder Militão
Only Sevilla have conceded fewer than Real Madrid in La Liga this season. Eder Militão and David Alaba have succeeded Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos at the heart of Los Blancos’ back line and done so admirably.
Militão leads the team in interceptions and clearances. Casemiro is the only Real player with more tackles per game.
It’s been a year or two of transition at the Bernabeu, but the performances of Militão alongside other young talents like Vinicius, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo give hope that the next great Real Madrid team could be just around the corner.
Jules Koundé
Links to Chelsea continue to simmer, and it’s no surprise given Jules Koundé’s performance for Sevilla.
Los Nervionenses have conceded just 13 league goals this term, and Koundé’s combination of speed and defensive instincts have been on display throughout the campaign.
Building a formidable partnership with Diego Carlos, Koundé is no longer an up-and-coming centre-back with promise. He’s firmly among the best defenders in the world in 2021-22, which is a remarkable feat at just 23 years of age.
Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva sits in the Chiellini category. The former PSG defender turned 37 just a few months ago, but he is still delivering against the toughest competition. Chelsea are a much better defensive team when Silva is on the pitch.
The acceleration has faded. There’s still an occasional burst when required, and Silva uses all of his experience to read danger and put out fires.
Some might count the cosy position in the centre of Chelsea’s back three against him. It gives him more cover, and compensates for his lack of pace, but Silva’s impact on Chelsea’s defence deserves a place among the best defenders in the world.
He’s still a crucial player for one of the best teams in Europe.
Jose Gimenez
A poor recent run doesn’t take away from Atletico Madrid’s defensive performances this season.
They are well clear in expected goals against in La Liga this term. Only Manchester City and Napoli can better their mark across the top five leagues.
It’s not just a coincidence that Atleti’s drop off has happened when Jose Gimenez has been absent. He’s the soul of this Atletico defence, leading the team in blocks and clearances per match.
