Top 30 Center Backs In Soccer Today

29. David Luiz

One of the most divisive players on the planet, David Luiz is either a genius of the game or a liability depending on your perspective. His CV is one of the best in the game, having played twice for Chelsea, and represented the likes of Benfica, PSG and now Arsenal. Luiz can also play as a defensive midfielder as well as at the heart of the defence.

His second spell with Chelsea was arguably the golden period of his career so far. Operating as part of a three-man defence under Antonio Conte, the Brazilian was a revelation. Luiz is also capable of scoring phenomenal free kicks. His long, flowing hair makes him one of the most distinctive players on the football field and he’s a key signing for Arsenal.

28. Alessio Romagnoli

AC Milan has fallen far from grace in recent years. Mismanagement by the San Siro side’s top-brass has caused a once-mighty giant of European football to become a shadow of their former selves. Now though they are slowly edging their way back into contention, thanks to the signing of emerging players like Alessio Romagnoli.

The Italy international is the captain of Milan and one of their key hopes in sealing a place in the top four of Seria A. A classical Italian centre-half, he’s elegant and composed with excellent technique and distribution. Romagnoli is so good on the ball that he’s occasionally filled in at left-back too. His ability to carry the ball forward is a real asset.

27. Yerry Mina

Everton was unable to recapture Kurt Zouma from Chelsea after the London side opted to keep the Frenchman at Stamford Bridge. If Yerry Mina keeps playing the way he is though, it won’t matter. The Colombian’s form has definitely softened the blow, as he has developed a key understanding with England international Michael Keane.

A tall, languid presence at the back, Mina’s physical gifts are evident. It took him a while to get going, but you can see now why he was so highly rated when he arrived at Goodison Park from Barcelona. He’s also scored the joint-most goals at a World Cup by a defender with three in Russia 2018.

26. Willy Boly

Wolverhampton Wanderers returned to the Premier League last season with a bang. Their sensational performances against the big sides saw them earn a spot in the Europa League. The form of Willy Boly was a major part in that. He might not receive the same praise as some of the side’s attackers like Ruben Neves or Raul Jimenez, but his role in the side is just as important.

Alongside the team captain Conor Coady, Boly has been outstanding. The Frenchman has been one of the best centre backs in the Premier League and looks certain to be snapped up by a bigger club if he continues his impressive form. Eligible to represent the Ivory Coast, he’s played for France at underage level.

25. Davinson Sanchez

With Jan Verthongen getting that little bit older and Toby Alderweirald’s future about as clear as mud, Davinson Sanchez was brought in to shore up the Spurs defence and take over the mantle of the Belgian internationals. A club-record signing for the London side, he cost around £42 million when he arrived from Ajax.

He’s already managed over 50 games for Spurs as well as establishing himself as half of Colombia’s first-choice central pairing. Strong, fast and powerful, Sanchez is a physical specimen. While his decision making can be erratic, all the signs point to him moving up this list in the future.

24. Willi Orban

Willi Orban’s reputation has risen alongside that of RB Leipzig. The East German side might be one of the most popular teams in the country, but they’re here to stay – and to compete. Hungary’s Orban is one of the key figures behind their recent surge through the German footballing ranks.

Young and talented, Orban signed for under €3 million, as part of their policy of spotting and developing the best young talent from around the world. Now Orban is the club’s captain and helped them to nail down a spot in the Champion’s League as well. Born in Germany, he elected to represent his father’s nation. He was also eligible to play for Poland through his mother.

23. Milan Skriniar

Described in his native Slovakia as the natural successor to Martin Skrtel, Milan Skriniar has quietly become a genuine top-drawer defender. Captaining his national side on multiple occasions, the Inter Milan centre back has also helped his club back into the Champion’s League, where they belong.

Forging a strong defensive partnership with Stefan De Vrij, Milan Skriniar is every bit as good as his Dutch teammate. A natural leader, Skriniar is adept at reading the game and is always quick to intercept the ball and his opponent. He’s a mobile player who gets around the pitch easily. Expect to hear his name mentioned a lot more in the coming years.

22. Mathias De Ligt

The latest bright young thing from Ajax’s sensational academy, Mathias De Ligt had an incredible 2018/19, captaining his exciting side to the Champion’s League semi-finals. Despite being only 19 at the time, he possessed superb charisma and leadership skills, as well as displaying excellent instincts at the heart of the Dutch side’s defence.

That prompted Juventus to snap him up for a massive €75 million. Now with Giorgio Chiellini out injured for the majority of the season, De Ligt has a chance to stake a claim in one of the most defensively sound units on the continent. The world is at his feet and it’s up to him to grab this incredible opportunity.

21. Jose Gimenez

At the age of 24, Jose Gimenez has really started to mature as a defender and that’s why Atletico Madrid was willing to let his countryman Diego Godin leave for Inter Milan. Now the hope is that Gimenez will serve with the same distinction as his fellow Uruguayan. The signs are good: he’s already won four titles, including La Liga in his first season with the club.

Arriving for less than a million euro at the age of 18, Gimenez has grown into an exceptional defender, who would easily be worth 50 or 60 times that in today’s market. Solidly built, powerful and dynamic, Gimenez is a very mobile centre back. His decision making has improved drastically over the past couple of years.

20. Niklas Sule

A member of Germany and Bayern Munich’s next-generation, Niklas Sule has established himself as first-choice for both club and country. The 24-year-old arrived at the Allianz Arena with a lot of hype behind him, and if he continues to play as he is now, it will be well-placed.

He’s already a double Bundesliga winner and has two DFB-Pokal Cup winner’s medals in his trophy cabinet as well. Physically gifted, Sule is a massive, imposing figure at the heart of his teams’ defences and looks set to evolve into one of the very best in the world in the near future. At 6″5 (195cm) he has a height advantage over most players and a frame to match.

19. Nicolas Otamendi

In his fifth season with Manchester City, Nicolas Otamendi has had his critics, but the Argentina international is a very good player who wears his heart on his sleeve. A real battler of a centre half, he plays with passion and aggression and is a first-choice defender for both the Citizens and his country.

With 64 caps, Otamendi has been all around the international scene, playing in World Cups and Copa Americas. He’s been extraordinarily successful as part of Manchester City’s greatest era, winning a domestic treble with the oil-rich side. He might not be as technically adept as Aymeric Laporte, but he plays a vital role in their side.

18. Mats Hummels

A World Cup winner with Germany, it feels like Mats Hummels has been playing at an elite level forever. Now in his second spell at Borussia Dortmund, either side of a successful period with Bayern Munich, Hummels has been one of the best in the business for a long time now. A serial winner with Bayern Munich and Germany, Hummels brings class to every team he plays for.

Despite hitting 30, Hummels hasn’t really been affected by his advancing years – in football terms at least. He’s never been the quickest, but he has great timing and positioning which makes up for it. Physically imposing, Hummels is great in the air, both from an attacking and defensive perspective.

17. Leonardo Bonucci

Alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Berzagli, Leonard Bonucci was part of the best defence in the world. Operating in front of Gianluigi Buffon, they won six consecutive Serie A titles together. Bonucci moved to AC Milan, but it didn’t work out there for him. Now back with Juventus, he’s firmly re-established himself as one of the best in the business.

Bonucci has a proper gladiator quality to him. As you’d expect from a former midfielder, he’s very good on the ball and possesses a wide passing range. As a defender, he’s excellent, with brilliant sweeping skills. He’s been praised by everybody from Franz Beckenbauer to Pep Guardiola. Bonucci is a Juventus icon.

16. Lucas Hernandez

Capable of playing at left-back, Lucas Hernandez prefers to play as a left-sided central defender, and boy is he good at it. A key part of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad in Russia, he’s just one of a ridiculous number of high-quality defenders they have to choose from right now. The Bayern Munich man literally has the world at his feet.

He learned his trade under one of the best at Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side are renowned for their defensive strength and there’s no place better to develop than alongside Diego Godin. Now he’s set to be at the heart of Bayern Munich’s central pairing moving forward into the future after arriving for big money from Spain.

15. Stefan De Vrij

One of the best Dutch defenders out there, Stefan De Vrij doesn’t get the praise that he deserves – and that’s really because of a certain Mathias De Ligt. He’s forged a career for himself in Italy, formerly with Lazio and now with Inter Milan. The Dutchman has over 30 caps for his country and is a safe presence at the back for his teams.

Many believe that he’s the type of defender who would perfectly suit a team like Barcelona. Stylish in possession and a great passer of the ball, he’s every bit the modern central defender. Now their loss looks to be Inter Milan’s gain. There’s great potential for him alongside Diego Godin.

14. Samuel Umtiti

The Barcelona centre-back was one part of France’s World Cup-winning defence. A risk-taker, he’ll leave challenges to the very last second and throws his body in the way of shots like nobody’s business. One of his most useful attributes is his ability to feed the ball between the lines, setting up attacks from the back – a key part of the Barcelona way.

There is so much more to come from Umtiti which is frightening when you think about how much he has already achieved. As well as the World Cup, he’s already won two La Ligas and two Copa Del Reys. The Champion’s League is surely next on his radar. It’s been a while since Barcelona have got their hands on it.

13. Joel Matip

Is there a more underrated centre-back in the world right now than Joel Matip? His defensive partner gets so much more credit, but Matip is the perfect foil for Virgil Van Dijk. The Cameroonian defender is one of the most consistent defenders in the world. Calm and composed on the ball, he played a key part in Liverpool’s Champion’s League-winning campaign in 2018/19.

One of Matip’s key attributes is his ability to find a pass. His cross-field balls have helped to set up many attacks. The big man isn’t as charismatic as Virgil Van Dijk, but he offers a sense of balance in Liverpool’s defence. At the age of 28, he’s hit his prime at the right time.

12. Diego Godin

A true warrior of a centre back, Diego Godin was at the battling heart of everything Atletico Madrid did for nine years. Now with Inter Milan, Godin is a proper old-fashioned centre-half. Tenacious in the tackle and a charismatic leader, he’s also a legend with his native Uruguay. The man embodies steel and sheer grit.

He’s appeared at three World Cups and five Copa Americas, winning the 2011 instalment. Godin also helped Atletico Madrid to La Liga glory and a Copa Del Rey. A key cog in their hard-working counterattacking style, he will hope to inspire Inter Milan to similar success.

11. Gerard Pique

A Barcelona legend, Gerard Pique has one of the most impressive trophy cabinets in the history of the game. The Catalan is a modern defender who has great reading of the game and has good technique and passing. Tall, elegant and refined, he’s everything you’d expect from a centre back at one of the greatest clubs in the world.

Pique has won La Liga a ridiculous eight times with Barcelona. When he first established himself at the club, he was the B side alongside Carlos Puyol. But for the past number of years, Pique has proven himself to be one of the very best and for such a long period of time too. He’s also a winner off the pitch, marrying the Colombian pop star Shakira.

10. Jan Verthongen

Since 2012, Jan Verthongen has been one of Tottenham Hotspurs’ key operators. The Belgian is a natural left-footer – one of the most valuable assets in the game. He’s been a consistent performer at White Hart Lane, twice being made a member of the PFL Team of the Year and the Player of the Year award at Spurs in 2018.

Verthongen is a natural leader and has captained Ajax, Spurs and Belgium at various stages. He’s also won 112 caps for his country, which just goes to show how good he has been for so long. Able to operate as a left-back when necessary, he’s a massive favourite amongst the Spurs faithful.

9. Toby Alderweirald

How has nobody activated his release clause yet? Belgian defender Toby Alderweirald has been a mainstay at the heart of Tottenham Hotspurs’ defence since 2015. Now 30-years-old, he’s been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League over that period and a key reason behind Spurs establishing themselves in the top-four of the division.

A La Liga winner with Atletico Madrid, Alderweirald is a calm, composed defender who is every bit the modern idea of what a centre back should be. He’s helped Spurs to the best defensive records in their history and is linked away every season. The clock is ticking on a move to one of the giants of the European game, but there’s no doubt that he’s on an elite level.

8. Harry McGuire

The most expensive centre-back in the world, Harry McGuire is one of the first names on Gareth Southgate’s England team sheet. The Manchester United man moved from Leicester City in the summer of 2019 for a world record £75 million. The Red Devils hope that he’ll have the same influence for them as Virgil Van Dijk did for their arch-rivals, Liverpool.

Is it too expensive? Well, if he helps get them to where they want to be then no, it will be money well spent. Tall and strong, McGuire is also really effective in possession. In the modern game where managers want their defenders playing out from the back, ‘Slabhead’ is the perfect option. Even if he looks like one of Draco Malfoy’s henchmen.

7. Raphael Varane

The other half of Real Madrid’s centre-back pairing, Raphael Varane might not be as notorious as Sergio Ramos, but he’s equally important at the Bernebeu. Quietly efficient, the French World Cup winner took time to establish himself as a first-choice starter, but now he’s an invaluable member of the team, winning two La Ligas and four Champion’s Leagues.

Varane is technically first-class. Although he’s less aggressive and charismatic than Sergio Ramos, he’s arguably technically more proficient. Physically imposing and possessing blistering speed, he was a key cog in France’s World Cup-winning campaign. He’s only the fourth player to win a World Cup and Champion’s League in the same year.

6. Giorgio Chiellini

Now a Juventus icon, Giorgio Chiellini looks the part of the intimidating centre-half. With his imposing frame and hatchet face, he cuts a fearful figure. One of the main reasons behind Juventus’s domestic dominance has been their defensive strength and Chiellini embodies that, winning 8 Serie A titles with The Old Lady.

Chiellini is an aggressive, hard-tackling defender who also has a great ability to read the game. He’s fantastic in the air, scoring a number of goals from headers. A natural left-footer, he’s incredible at man-marking attackers, nullifying them out of the game. Now 35, let’s hope he recovers from a serious ligament injury.

5. Sergio Ramos

One of the most iconic players of this Real Madrid generation, Sergio Ramos has an incredibly full trophy cabinet. Supremely talented and frequently controversial, he’s been a stalwart at the heart of Los Blanco’s defence for the past 15 seasons. Aggressive and charismatic, the man is a natural leader and a major part in Madrid’s three-in-a-row Champion’s League wins.

He’s also a master of the dark arts – most notably when playing alongside his former defensive partner Pepe. One of his most infamous moments was apparently deliberately injuring Mohammad Salah in the 2017/18 Champion’s League Final. Ramos is the most sent-off player in La Liga and Spanish national team history. He’s also the most carded in the history of the division and the Champion’s League.

4. Kostas Manolas

Only time will tell, but Napoli just might have the best central defensive pairing in Europe right now. They’ve signed Kostas Manolas from Roma, after five successful seasons with I Giallarossi. The Greek international might not have the trophies to prove it, but he’s been one of the most consistent defenders on the continent over that period.

Manolas may provide perfect balance alongside Kalidou Koulibaly. While he’s less physical than his counterpart, he’s got superb pace, allowing him to keep up with the fastest attackers. Combining the virtues of an old-fashioned sweeper with the modern need to read the game and play out from the back, Manolas is a sublime defender.

3. Kalidou Koulibaly

Juventus might have as strong a grip on Serie A as ever, but if there’s one thing that title contenders Napoli can lay claim to is that they have the best centre back in Italy’s top division. Kalidou Koulibaly is a force of nature. The 28-year-old Senegal defender has been with Napoli for five years now and he’s a firm fan-favourite in one of the most football-mad regions of the country.

Nicknamed ‘The Wall’ by Napoli fans, Koulibaly is an aggressive, physical player with ridiculous power and strength. He’s also technically excellent. Perennially linked to the biggest teams on the continent, Koulibaly seems happy to remain an icon with Gli Azzuri, who he has helped to a Superoppa Italia. He’s even been made an honorary citizen of Naples.

2. Aymeric Laporte

It is extraordinary that Aymeric Laporte has never been capped by France. Manchester City’s best defender might not have the same charisma or fanatic fanbase as Virgil Van Dijk, but he’s of equal importance to his side. A left-sided centre half, Laporte is remarkably composed on the ball and calm in possession.

The Frenchman is a powerful presence, able to carry the ball forward from the back. He’s also versatile, occasionally filling in at left-back. A key cog in Manchester City’s 2018-19 treble-winning side, there’s no doubt that Laporte is up there with the very best in the world right now. Just tell Didier Deschamps that now.

1. Virgil Van Dijk

Could anybody else be on top of this list? Virgil Van Dijk is without a shadow of a doubt the best central defender on the planet right now. Blessed with supreme physical gifts, the Dutchman is a commanding and charismatic presence at the heart of Liverpool’s defence. He leads from the back, getting his head to every ball and rarely letting anybody past him.

In 2019, Van Dijk won UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year award, after an extraordinary season with the Reds saw them win the Champion’s League. The signing of Van Dijk in January 2018 coincided with an extraordinary upturn in results. Liverpool’s previously shambolic defence was the best in Europe last term, thanks to the former Southampton and Celtic man. According to Troy Deeney he even smells good.