Can anybody other than Virgil van Dijk really lay claim to being the best defender in the Premier League?We don't think so.The Dutchman is imperious in every facet of the game and is on course to establish himself as a legendary figure at Liverpool. Kick off: 3pm ET, Wednesday Leicester v Chelsea USA Network Online via NBCSports.com 2008 (15) 2007 (16) 2006 (17) 2005 (18) 2004 (19) 2003 (20) 2002 (21) 2001 (22) 2000 (23) 1999 (24) . His sliding tackles are also excellent, a result of great length, timing and technique. Marcus Rashford 2. His athleticism enables him to cover big spaces behind defence and in wider areas, while he utilises his large frame in contact; good at sealing/levering against the ball to disrupt opponents cleanly and recover possession effectively. Man Utd 3-1 Arsenal USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS, 7:30am: Fulham v Chelsea USA Network WATCH LIVE His low, quick, one-touch crosses into the six-yard box or toward the penalty spot are dangerous because they can catch defences in an unbalanced state, and he executes them with little hesitation and impressive technique. Lucas Verssimo - Benfica - 23m Value - 26 - 26 years old and threatening to be the next big defender to breakout from Liga NOS, Lucas . Brentford v West Ham Will Manchester City win yet another Premier League title? Arsenal # Player: Country: Year: Age: 0: Nuno Tavares: Portugal: 2000: 23: 3: Kieran Tierney: . 11:30am: Man City v Leicester, 7:30am: Fulham v Leeds Premier League fixtures for 2022-23 season: How to watch, TV schedule, live 2026 World Cup venues selected: Which cities will host in USA, Canada, Mexico? 11:30am: Crystal Palace v Man Utd USA Network WATCH LIVE, 3pm: Leeds v Nottingham Forest USA Network WATCH LIVE, Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Artetas side are showing they can win games in different ways and with Trossard, Martinelli, Saka, Nketiah and Odegaard all chipping in with key goals at different times, they look set to sustain this title push until the very end of the season. With five Premier League titles to his name and 34 of his 78 England caps as captain, John Terry ranks as one of the great defenders of his generation. 11:30am: Newcastle v Man Utd, 2:45pm: AFC Bournemouth v Brighton If its the 2022-23 Premier League table youre after, youve come to the right place. However, it is more accurate to say that what is expected of defenders has changed. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Simakans defending is how assured he is, especially for his age and experience. Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/Highlights Man Utd 2-1 Crystal Palace FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/highlights West Ham 2-0 Everton USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/highlights Please logout and login again. The Premier League Player of the Year, Dias has been sensational in the heart of the Premier Leagues best defence. Find profiles and information about current and all-time Premier League players, on the official website of the Premier League. Reece James (Age: 20. These are the 20 teams which will compete in the Premier League for the upcoming season: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Leeds United, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, We made a few bold predictions ahead of the Premier League campaign, which you can read in full here. What about Tottenham? What a coup for Crystal Palace this was. The season will take a pause after Match round 16, which ends on November 13. Ledley King. 9am: West Ham v Newcastle USA Network WATCH LIVE Arsenal 4-2 Leicester FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS AFC Bournemouth 3-0 Everton FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Premier League 2020/21 winners: Guardiola, Bielsa, West Ham 4) Wesley Fofana You could argue that any of Leicester's three starting centre-backs would be worthy of inclusion. Man City v Leeds Kyle Walker Kyle Walker plays as a defensive midfielder for Manchester City and has been Pep Guardiola's top choice. Playing either as a left-sided centre-back or full-back, the 31-year-old has been just as important for his creativity and set-piece delivery. 17. Chelsea wing-back Reece James is one of the most talented players to have graduated from the Blues' academy in recent times. Aaron Ramsdale (Age: 22. USMNT upcoming schedule Nations League, friendlies, Gold Cup, Jurgen Klinsmann hired to coach South Korea national team, Arsenal hammer Everton 4-0, go five points clear of Manchester City, Everton were hammered 4-0 away to Arsenal, their big win at Molineux a few weeks ago, predicted how we think the Premier League table will look. Maguire has signed for Manchester United from Leicester City for a world-record fee of $97 million. That is a huge problem as Klopps pressing philosophy totally breaks down without the ability to force opponents into mistakes. Still young, Simakan is one of the better out-and-out defenders of his generation. 15. Leicester 4-1 Spurs FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/highlights West Ham 1-1 Spurs FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Here we pick our top 10 Premier League defenders of all time. Someone talk to me about these two #absolutebeasts pic.twitter.com/T6k4791ls0, James Milner (@JamesMilner) May 24, 2021. Brighton v Wolves FootballCritic (FC) has one main purpose - to help football fans of every level of obsession understand and enjoy the game just a little more. West Ham 2-0 Wolves USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS, Man City 6-3 Man Utd FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Newcastle v Brighton, 2:45pm: Arsenal vs Everton USA Network Online via NBCSports.com On the ball, he has good technical ability in general, with strong fundamental skills and unique nuances in build-up. Everton 1-2 Man Utd USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS, Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS, Brentford 2-1 Brighton USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/Highlights, Leicester 1-1 Crystal Palace USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/Highlights . Best Defenders in the world under the age of 23, . Liverpool back in top-four race with another clean sheet, win vs Wolves As the months tick down on the 29th Premier League season, its time to celebrate the greatest ever defenders the league has ever seen. Trent Alexander-Arnold appreciation tweet. Man City 3-1 Brighton FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/Highlights Lee Dixon was part of a back four that excelled when managed by George Graham and as part of Arsene Wengers Premier League revolution. Southampton 2-1 Chelsea FULL MATCH REPLAYRECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Despite that, he is often slow to create angles to receive, which is frustrating. They can also earn clean sheet bonuses, but it can be difficult to select a backline full of players that carry great attacking and defensive potential. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Age: 21. The ex-Blues boss had too many centre-backs but, weirdly, he exiled the wrong one. Leicester 0-3 Newcastle USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/Highlights Owen Wijndal is very much a modern full-back. Brighton v Brentford Brighton v Crystal Palace POSTPONED If you'd make any changes to the order below, we'd love to hear them. Enjoy this, and more juicy gossip. The 24-year-old had a breakthrough campaign last season with 15 goals in 31 appearances, and newly promoted Nottingham Forest made him the club's record signing at $20 million. After spending years in the Premier League and holding up quite well for clubs like Southampton and West Ham United, Fonte has guided Lille to the best defensive performance in Europe in 2020/21. Newcastle 3-3 Man City USA Network WATCH FULL REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS, Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool WATCH FULL REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS, Southampton 0-1 Man Utd USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS But after a truly wretched few weeks, Maguire got his act together and it is no coincidence that so, too, did United. Above all, he needs to be more engaged/attentive. There are some standout names, of course, but each have their own contexts. With a tackle success rate and aerial duel win rate of 63%, Godfrey is quite a tough nut to crack at the back for the Toffees. Godfrey has helped Carlo Ancelotti's men keep 10 cleansheets from 28 appearances this term. 12:30pm: Crystal Palace v Man City USA Network Online via NBCSports.com, 10am: Fulham v Arsenal Watch on Peacock Premium Lille has allowed just 22 goals, which is tied with Atletico Madrid's mark in Spain. OUT: Luis Diaz (knee), Thiago Alcantara (hip), Calvin Ramsay (knee), Arthur Melo (thigh) | DOUBTFUL: Ibrahima Konate (thigh), Joe Gomez (undisclosed), Darwin Nunez (shoulder), The Reds to take on Wolves tonight #LIVWOL, OUT: Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Boubacar Traore (groin), Hee-chan Hwang (thigh), Chiquinho (knee) | DOUBTFUL: Matheus Cunha (ankle). Wolves 1-1 Newcastle FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Follow @JPW_NBCSports It was a decision which became the primary factor in choking on Liverpools dust last term. current best Premier League defenders as the Dutchman is set to miss the entirety of 2020-21 season, but let's see who is on the list: Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Wolverhampton Wanderers current captain is actually not from Wolverhampton but rather from the Merseyside county. 9. Everton will visit Nottingham Forest, who find themselves quickly slipping back toward the bottom-three, on Sunday (9 am ET). Consistently brilliant. pic.twitter.com/dfyh0RZ1vr. Kept Lacaztte out of the team. Your login session has expired. Spurs 2-1 Fulham FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace FULL MATCH REPLAY USA Network Recap/highlights Aaron Wan-Bissaka still has room for improvement. 10am: Man Utd v Southampton Watch on Peacock Premium Years active: 1999-2012. Wolves will sit deep and look to pick off Liverpool on the counter just like they did in their big win at Molineux a few weeks ago. 3:30pm: Southampton vs Brentford USA Network Online via NBCSports.com, Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth Arsenal v Man City Postponed due to Arsenals Europa League game, Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa USA Network Full match replay Recap/highlights Thats how these things work, right!? AFC Bournemouth v Fulham He plays with tempo and has the vision/confidence/technique to punch passes through lines into advanced areas. Club: Chelsea) Started season on fire, then cooled down. He always had a great ability to head the ball but allied with his strength he became unbeatable in the air.. Its safe to say that he has made an immediate impact at the club, establishing himself a sa key starter. Club: Manchester United) Has added quality going forward to his supreme defensive game at RB. A much-loved servant of club (wherever he played) and country, Rio Ferdinand has appeared in more Premier League games than any defender other than Jamie Carragher and more England matches than Stuart Pearce, John Terry and Terry Butcher. 10am: Brighton v Man Utd Reece James has been at Chelsea since the age of six. For full in-depth analysis of some of the best young players from all over the planet, check out our profiles page. The 26-year-old is strong, quick and possesses a forehead the ball seems drawn to at. Brighton v Southampton He has whipped in 264 crosses this season with 20% accuracy. Brentford 5-2 Leeds USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Arguably the best one-on-one defender in the Premier League, Manchester United's very own 'spiderman' Aaron Wan-Bissaka is adding to his attacking game and has been one of the most improved players this season. Despite being 6'4 tall, he has high-level speed; he recovers positions quickly and uses his frame to lever/seal players off the ball when covering depth. Wolves 1-0 West Ham FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/highlights List of all Defenders. Ferran Torres (Age: 20. However, he has been far more enterprising in attack for Manchester United this term and has scored two goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances. 3. The 20-year-old arrived last summer from St Etienne and though he was hardly cheap, he has proven to be a bargain. He turned himself into a big, strong centre-half who was capable of knocking strikers out of the way. He is not the single reason behind Chelseas defensive improvement but his form is certainly a large factor in it. Anel Ahmedhodi's style of play. Getting them around the European places in mid-season was creditable enough, but to sustain it throughout the season, especially one in which theyve been so light on strikers, is special. Owen Wijndal is very much a modern full-back that suits a possession-based team. As one former chief executive of a Premier League club told me: "I won't know till the last day of the season if my budget for next year is going to be 170m or 70m." Anthony Elanga (Manchester Utd), Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa), Folarin Balogun. Liverpool v Aston Villa His blindside awareness is poor though and he is slow to react to runners off his shoulder; he needs to scan more often. Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa WATCH FULL REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS While he has always been a nightmare to go up against in one-on-ones, Wan-Bissaka has been criticized for his inability to contribute in the final third. You could argue that any of Leicesters three starting centre-backs would be worthy of inclusion. Sorry, James Maddison, Youri Tielemans, Joe Gomez and Richarlison, youve just missed out after reaching the ripe old age of 23 in recent months. The Germany international couldnt get a look in while spending the first half of the campaign on Frank Lampards sh*t list. Wolves 1-0 Southampton FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS He uses his size to overwhelm opponents in contact in defensive situations and when protecting/carrying the ball. 5) Joao Cancelo Leah Williamson 4. Can play CB too. West Ham 0-2 Man City FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS, Aston Villa 2-1 Everton USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Liverpool weren't great tonight. West Ham v Leeds Mason Greenwood (Age: 18. Guardiola has done it before: with Philip Lahm, Dani Alves and David Alaba. 24: 6: Chris Mepham: Wales: 1997: 25: 15: Adam Smith: England . Aston Villa v Crystal Palace Watch on Peacock Premium West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace USA Network FULL MATCH REPLAY Recap/highlights #ARSEVE pic.twitter.com/lVeDZdK6LZ, Latest USMNT news Everton 1-2 Southampton FULL MATCH REPLAY USA Network Recap/highlights Leicester v AFC Bournemouth Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa FULL MATCH REPLAYRECAP/HIGHLIGHTS Since then, his career has kick-started and sky-rocketed. Man Utd 0-0 Newcastle USA Network STREAM LIVE Recap/Highlights Weve learned in recent seasons what they need to add in attack, but Cancelo is no supplementary winger. Brilliant on either side of defence, or as a supplementary midfielder, Cancelo has the touch and finesse to pick out passes and through balls that few others can even see. Club: Tottenham Hotspur. I said we have time . 5. Best Defenders playing in the English Premier League, based on our FootballTransfers PlayerSkill. Given the lack of centre-forwards, Moyes has had to build West Ham on a solid base. 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