Best Premier League centre-backs: Top 20 CB in 2023/24 EPL
There's no stronger English footballing archetype than the dominant, talismanic central defender.
From the likes of Tony Adams and John Terry to celebrated imports such as Jaap Stam and Virgil van Dijk, the Premier League has seen a host of great centre-backs. These days, the position has taken on added importance: central defenders are no longer required to be primarily 'stoppers' but key components in build-up play for possession-based teams.
As the summer 2023 transfer window was about to close, The Sporting News polled its football writers to rank the top performers in each position. We used those rankings to generate an average and offer a top-20 list of central defenders.
Is Van Dijk still considered the best of his position, or will one of Pep Guardiola's army of Manchester City defenders — a group bolstered by €80million man Josko Gvardiol — usurp him?
Read on to find out our top centre-backs in the Premier League, ranked from 20 to one.
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As with most of the vast influx into Stamford Bridge, Badiashile will face a fight to establish himself under Mauricio Pochettino. However, it is in the young Frenchman's favour that he stood out as a rare bright spot during a desolate second half of last season.
Another example of Newcastle's sensible and shrewd transfer dealings since being furnished with vast Saudi fortunes. A solid defence was the foundation of their run to the Champions League places and none of it would have been possible without the imposing, ice-cold Botman.
Colwill thrived on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion last season, looking every inch the modern-day defender. An accomplished and left-footed ball-playing centre-back,
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