The position of centre-back is perhaps one of the most important without the spotlight. They are usually in charge of destroying opposition advances and preventing goals, which is the ultimate reward in football.
Nowadays, a central defender is not only a destroyer but also participates in offensive actions. Times have changed, and they are now all-round players who are also the leaders of their teams, as they are the first to initiate offensive actions.
A team with a good centre-back is usually a candidate to win the championship. On this page you can check the Ratings of Bookmakers in South Africa where you can compare the best sites with the highest odds, so you can place a bet on the team with the best defender.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 centre-backs of the moment
5. Kalidou Koulibaly
The Senegalese is impassable. His physical strength is evident, and he has become a symbol of Napoli and his national team, with which he won the African Cup of Nations. He qualified for the World Cup and with him at the back, the African team is one of the favourites to make history.
His style of football seems simple. He always has the right approach and knows his opponents, which allows him to anticipate perfectly, and if he is outmuscled, his speed helps him to win duels. His technique with the ball makes him a very important player because he is not a technically limited player who only destroys, he knows what to do when he has the ball at his feet and distributes the ball with great ability. He also has a lot of personality, when he has to take penalties, he is not afraid, and he is one of the first to ask for the ball.
He is the captain of his national team and sometimes of Napoli, that speaks of his leadership. Likewise, he is the voice of the team on the pitch and knows how to motivate his teammates. It is not for nothing that European giants have sought him out to be their centre-back. Koulibaly hopes that the World Cup in Qatar will be his graduation as one of the best in African history.
4. Ruben Dias
Manchester City have a very complete player in the Portuguese. Not only can he play as a centre-back in both profiles, but he can also sometimes be used in midfield due to his technical ability.
Defensively he is very secure, he relies a lot on his reading of the game and that makes him very difficult to beat. He is not someone who uses his physicality a lot, because he doesn’t need it, but when he has to, he does it neatly.
His charisma makes him a Cityzen fan favourite, and he was player of the year in the 20-21 season. He is one of the most disciplined players in Guardiola’s squad and is one of his top choices.
Obviously, with his national team, he wants to make history. He has already won the Nations League and, for the World Cup, he is at a great level, which is good news for the Portuguese national team that hopes to surprise the world.
3. David Alaba
One of the most complete players in the world. The Austrian can play anywhere. In the middle, on the wings, in the centre. A wildcard who under Ancelotti has excelled even more and has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world.
When he arrived at Real Madrid, he immediately adapted and didn’t mind taking the shirt vacated by Sergio Ramos. He became a leader and obviously showed that he is at a superlative level.
He won the Champions League and was rightly named in Europe’s top team, he had a spectacular campaign with the Spanish capital team.
His technical ability makes him important in any team he plays for. Ancelotti uses him in different areas of the pitch because he knows his ability and offers him options. Few players currently do that.
With his national team, he has not had the same success as with clubs. He didn’t qualify for the World Cup, and they didn’t do well at the Euros. Sometimes he even ends up playing as a striker, because of the team’s lack of talent. That’s how important and great Alaba is.
2. Antonio Rudiger
Madrid has the two best centre-backs in the world with the signing of this tough German. A defensive wall that can also play as a full-back, with Chelsea he became a benchmark with which he conquered Europe.
Technically he is very good, he knows perfectly how to defend, and it is difficult for him to make mistakes. Aggressive and strong in the clashes that make him someone that the opposing strikers suffer a lot because it is tiring to be competing with someone so physical.
He doesn’t shy away from anything and likes a challenge. Madrid looked for him because together with Alaba, it is practically impossible for anyone to pass. Besides, he handles both sides of the defence and offers alternatives to the coach.
Half of Europe looked for him to reinforce their team, but in his head was only to reinforce the champion of the continent, because it was his dream since he was a child. His defensive skills already have him at the Santiago Bernabéu where he will surely continue with the level he has shown.
1. Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil has established himself as the best centre-back in the world for several years. The heavy injury he had, did not diminish his abilities, and every time he steps on the pitch he is dominant. There is no defender like him at the moment.
Defensively he is perfect, he understands that if a player is fast you have to hold him, he competes physically in the air and always wins, and in one-on-one situations, it is difficult to pass him because he anticipates the movements of his opponents to perfection.
This season with Liverpool was almost perfect and with his national team, he is going to the World Cup with the hope of giving the Netherlands the title that eluded them in 74, 78, and 2010. He is the leader of this generation of tulips who dominate total football.
There are more candidates that could have made this list, such as Joules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, and Joel Matip, but these are the ones that currently dominate the world’s pitches. Which one do you like the most?
