2020: Top 10 Super Centre-Backs

The great urge to play from the back, that passing ability and composure under pressure seem to be two of the key requirements for Centre-Backs

Here’s the top ten centre backs in the world right now:

1. Leonardo Bonucci(Juventus)

Bonucci actually started out in football as a midfielder before slotting into defense, which is perhaps why his calmness under pressure when in possession is up there with the best in the business.

The Italian is more than an easy on the eye defender though, and his positional sense, strength and aerial prowess make him a tough man to get the better of 99 international caps are proof of just how good and consistent he’s been over the years.

1. Harry Maguire (Manchester United) 

You might expect the world’s most expensive defender to rank higher than ninth on our list, but Maguire despite his obvious talents still has a lot to prove.

The Sheffield born centre-back is a force to be reckoned with in either box and is comfortable playing out from the back.

The trouble is with an £80m price tag comes a lot of pressure and to make it to the top of this list he really needs to lead Man United back to the glory days, which is something that looks a long way off at the moment.

1. Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

One of the best central defenders of this decade, Gerard Pique currently plays for Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The Spanish international joined Barcelona in 2008 and has been an integral part of the Barcelona Squad since then.

Pique helped Spain to win its first World Cup ever in 2010. He also won the Champions League in 2015 with Barcelona. Pique won La Liga in 2019 and was named Footballer of the year in Catalonia in 2019.

1. Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)

Jerome Boateng is still one of the best defenders around Europe. Very few players will come close to replicating his success on the pitch.

A trophy cabinet that contains 1 World Cup, 2 Champions League trophies, 8 Bundesliga titles, 4 German Super Cups, 1 FA Cup and more. Not many would have predicted the German developing in a world class talent after an error-prone spell with Man City.

He’s been a mainstay at the heart of Bayern Munich’s defence for close 10 years now, making over 200 appearances. Boateng’s current partnership alongside a pacey David Alaba suits him perfectly, helping Munich maintain their dominance in Germany.

1. Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Raphael Varane has been considered as a generational talent in the club football. He currently plays for Real Madrid and the French national team. Varane joined Real Madrid in 2011 from Lens youth academy and has been an integral part of the Madrid squad since then.

Varane won the FIFA World Cup in 2018 with the France national team. He also won three straight Champions League titles with Real Madrid and has helped Madrid win the FIFA Club World Cup 4 times till now.

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1. Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)

He is the heart of Manchester city back four. Laporte proved an instant hit when joining from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018.

He has the ability to start attacks with a wand of a left foot.As time has progressed though it’s his leadership and organization that have proved more important as he ably filled the shoes of Vincent Kompany.

The sooner he fully recovers from his injury troubles, the sooner City will become a near unstoppable force again.

1. Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)

One of the best and consistent central defenders of this decade, Giorgio Chiellini plays for Italian Serie A side Juventus. He also plays for the Italian national side. He joined Juventus in 2005 from AS Roma and has been an integral part of their squad ever since. He has also captained the Italy national team.

He helped Juventus to reach two UEFA Champions League finals. Besides, he has won 8 straight series A titles with Juventus. Chiellini has also won the Serie A defender of the season award for 3 years till now.

1. Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)

Kalidou Koulibaly is quick, strong, aggressive in the challenge both on the ground and in the air. He can play out from the back with ease.

If ‘The Wall’ can prove himself in England then he could well become the number one defender in the world.

1. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

One of the highest-paid footballer and one of the best defenders of this decade, Sergio Ramos needs no introduction. He currently captains Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. Ramos joined Real Madrid in 2005 and has been an important part of the squad since then.

Sergio Ramos helped Spain win its first FIFA World Cup ever in 2010. The Spanish talented central defender also helped Spain win two UEFA Euros till now. He also leads his Real Madrid side to win four Champions League titles in 5 years. Ramos has also won the UEFA defender of the season for 2 years till now.

Sergio Ramos is easily one of the top 10 defenders in soccer of all time.

1. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

The Dutch talented central defender, Virgil van Dijk currently plays for Liverpool and captains the Netherlands national team. van Dijk joined Liverpool in 2017 as the most expensive defender of the time, from Southampton. Since then, Virgil van Dijk has been a colossus of a central defender for Liverpool.

Van Dijk has had an immediate impact since his arrival at Anfield and reached the Champions League final with Liverpool in 2018.