The Premier League is home to a plethora of world-class defensive talent, with each club boasting some of the finest centre-backs and full-backs in the game. With a mix of experience and emerging talents, the competition for the title of the league’s best defender is fierce.
As the 2024/25 season progresses, these 10 defenders have stood out for their commanding presence at the back, leadership qualities, and ability to influence games.
Below Are The 2024-25 Premier League 10 Best Defenders
1. William Saliba
Saliba continues to impress at Arsenal, proving himself as one of the most dominant defenders in the Premier League. Currently boasting a tackle success of 62%, his combination of composure on the ball, excellent positioning, and ability to read the game make him a standout figure at the back for the Gunners. This season, he's taken his game to another level and he's a key part of Arsenal’s title challenge.
2. Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool stalwart remains one of the finest defenders in the world. Van Dijk’s leadership, aerial prowess, and reading of the game have been vital in Liverpool's solid start to the season. With his defensive capabilities and leadership qualities, he continues to set the standard for top-tier defenders, achieving a 50% tackle success rate in the English top flight this season.
3. Ruben Dias
Dias has consistently been one of Manchester City’s most reliable defenders. After a period of underperformance, the Portuguese centre-back has rediscovered his best form. His ability to marshal the defence and his leadership at the back make him a crucial part of City's success in the 2024/25 season. His current tackle success rate is 57%.
4. John Stones
When fit, Stones is one of the Premier League's finest. His ball-playing ability, composure, and intelligent positioning make him invaluable for the Cityzens. Although injuries have hindered his progress in recent seasons, his impact when available is undeniable, and he remains an essential figure for Pep Guardiola's side.
5. Gabriel Magalhães
After a somewhat shaky start last season, Gabriel has become one of Arsenal's most dependable defenders. His partnership with Saliba has been a cornerstone of the Gunners’ defence, and his combative style, aerial strength, and improving technical ability have made him a standout performer alongside Saliba for Mikel Arteta’s side. These 11 Gabriel Magalhaes bio facts provide more about the Brazil centre-back.
6. Cristian Romero
The Argentine defender is known for his tenacity and aggression and despite occasional lapses in discipline, Romero has been one of Tottenham's best performers in recent seasons. His passion and determination make him a leader at the back, and if he can find more consistency, he’ll be among the top defenders in the league.
7. Micky van de Ven
The 23-year-old Dutch defender has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s rising stars. Van de Ven is one of the fastest players in the Premier League. His pace and recovery ability allow Tottenham to push a high defensive line, and his raw talent and maturity have made him a key player for Spurs this season. You can get an insight into the man behind the jersey in these 11 amazing facts about Micky van de Ven from Childhood in the Netherlands.
8. Lisandro Martínez
The Argentine's influence on Manchester United's defence cannot be overstated. A no-nonsense defender with a fierce mentality, Martínez has been integral when United produce a solid defensive performance. His positioning and ability to read the game make him one of the best centre-backs in the league, and it remains to be seen how incoming United boss Ruben Amorim will utilise Martinez's services.
9. Ben White
Ben White’s versatility has made him a crucial part of Arsenal’s defence. Whether playing at right-back or centre-back, White’s defensive solidity and offensive contributions—often driving forward and providing width—have made him a consistent performer. He’s one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted players. Although a slight injury briefly disrupted his season, he returned strong, reaffirming his importance to the team.
10. Marc Guehi
The Crystal Palace captain has been a standout performer in the Premier League, building on his impressive showings in Euro 2024. Guehi’s defensive awareness, composure on the ball, and leadership qualities make him one of the best centre-backs in the league, and he's cementing his place among the top defenders, with several clubs closely monitoring his progress.
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