The art of defending is exactly that – an art.
From perfectly executed tackles to goal line clearances, when such moments happen, they are every bit as special as a great goal or world class save.
Considering everything defenders are up against in the modern game, not least some of the best attackers the sport has ever seen, we should hail those performers even more.
Incidentally, the top five in the 2021-22 Premier League for this SBOTOP writer are not all great defenders, but they are all good or very good defensively and, coupled with the fact that a few are excellent from an attacking perspective, all deserve to be described as top class after contributing Premier League highlights.
João Cancelo (Manchester City)
Along with his team-mates Rodri and Aymeric Laporte, Cancelo made more passes than anyone else in the top flight. An all-purpose influence, he was also in the top 10 for tackles, dribbles and interceptions and 12th for shots at goal – and this is a defender.
Indeed, only Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus made more assists for the champions this term than Cancelo (seven).
With players like that, no wonder City have retained the title and clinched English football’s top prize for the fourth time in five years.
The Portuguese full-back is so comfortable on the ball and moves so gracefully, he is one of the most complete players in the league.
Perfect for Pep Guardiola and the way he insists the game should be played, Cancelo’s great feet and remarkable vision are a joy to behold.
His ability to play from both left-back and right-back positions has been a game-changer for the club and Guardiola has leveraged that to improve their possession-based game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Alexander-Arnold still has his critics when it comes to the defensive side of his game, but no one can dispute that the zip he provides to Liverpool’s prolific attack, while playing at right-back, is invaluable to the Reds’ success.
The fact he set up more goals in the Premier League this season than any other player bar team-mate Mohamed Salah is testament to that.
That alone is deserving of high praise and shows why he is one of the Merseysiders’ most potent weapons.
Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Another key player in the champions’ squad is Cancelo’s compatriot for club and country, Dias, whose contribution has been outstanding in both his seasons with the club.
Certainly, the statistics speak for themselves and when Dias is not involved, City are much weaker defensively.
He won the Football Writers Award last season and would have been on the shortlist for all the major gongs this term too – worth every penny of the £65 million the club parted with to secure his services from Benfica 20 months ago.
His partnership with John Stones at the heart of Guardiola’s defence, as well as Laporte, played a key part in City’s Premier League triumph, his increasing influence ensuring the retirement of club legend Vincent Kompany has been finally overcome.
Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Let’s be honest: if there were Premier League betting odds on leading defenders, few would have expected a so-called veteran in his late 30s to still be on the list.
Yet in two campaigns with the west Londoners, amidst the hustle n’ bustle and sheer physicality of the English league, Brazilian Thiago Silva has shown why he remains one of the world’s best defenders.
Alongside Dias and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, the trio have undoubtedly been the best centre backs in the league this season. What a partnership they would make in the same team.
Reece James (Chelsea)
My final place for defenders may surprise you but Reece James has gone under the radar for many.
However, his involvement with goals matches Alexander-Arnold whose 12 assists and two goals was matched by James (nine assists and five goals) over the course of the campaign – all this despite playing significantly fewer minutes.
James certainly made genuine progress this term and is one of the league’s most improved performers.
It may well be a ‘what if’ for Chelsea to see how 2021-22 would have materialised but for a November injury to their other flying wing-back, Ben Chilwell, and the off-field distractions caused by the sale of the club. Academy graduate James has certainly been an influential figure for the Blues on the pitch, finding a flurry of goals early on in the league. It’s no coincidence that the side’s drop in form came in conjunction when the defender was on the sidelines through injury.
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