The Premier League is awash with talented forwards like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, and it’s also got plenty of players at the opposite end of the park who can put in game-winning performances.
From dynamic wing-backs, to inverted full-backs, to granite centre-backs, the English top flight is blessed with the lot.
Here’s 90min’s ten most in-form defenders in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
A man of the match showing in Crystal Palace’s win over Sheffield United on Saturday sees Joachim Andersen squeeze his way into the top 10 this week.
The defender has struck up quite the partnership with Marc Guehi at the heart of Palace’s defence in recent seasons.
Judging by how much Moises Caicedo was sold for recently, we’d guess Pervis Estupinan is a £100m player at this point.
He once again proved why he’s so highly rated at the weekend with a stunning showing against newly promoted Luton. The full-back caused havoc at the AMEX Stadium, bagging an assist and creating six chances.
Nathan Ake enjoyed a career season in 2022/23.
Now armed with UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League winners’ medals and a new bumper contract, we’re fully backing Ake to continue his upward trajectory this campaign.
Could Reece James be Mauricio Pochettino’s new Kyle Walker?
Judging by his performance in the draw with Liverpool on Sunday, he most certainly can be. His delivery from the right flank may just be the best in the Premier League (sorry Trent Alexander-Arnold fans).
Plenty of memes have been made about how slow Axel Disasi is (apparently slower than Wout Weghorst, if you’re wondering), but his detractors were firmly silenced on Sunday by a very strong showing in his Premier League debut.
How strong, you ask? He scored a goal, so pretty damn strong.
Sven Botman is arguably the best signing Newcastle United have made with their Saudi-state money.
The defender was utterly outstanding last season, and continued that form into the Magpies first game of the current season too.
Despite being 38 years old, there’s still very, very, very few centre-backs who are better than Thiago Silva.
Pochettino will lean on the Brazilian to be the leader of a new-look, fresh-faced, extremely expensive, Chelsea side.
After a few years of injuries, Ruben Dias was back to full fitness and back to his very best over the last eight months.
When fit, he is probably the best defender in the world.*
*He is currently not fit.
William Saliba’s season-ending back injury probably ended Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League title last time out.
Now with a fit Saliba back in the squad however, Arsenal have a real chance of challenging Man City.
A World Cup winner, a four-time Champions League winner, it’s fair to say that Raphael Varane has pedigree.
The defender was in great form to start the 2023/24 campaign, scoring the winning goal in matchday one.
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