- the following is a sponsored article
As the most competitive, and lucrative, football competition in the world, the Premier League is stacked with top-class players all over the pitch.
So, who are the best center backs playing in the English top-flight right now? Here is our pick of the top five.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
When Van Dijk pitched up at Anfield in January 2018 following a £75 million move from Southampton, the Dutchman became the most expensive defender in the world. It has proved money very well spent as Van Dijk immediately elevated Liverpool's defense and continues to be the rock upon which the Reds have built their recent success.
He was vital in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final in his first half-season, before the club went one better the following year and finished second to Manchester City in an enthralling Premier League title race. Van Dijk was named PFA Player of the Year for 2018/19.
He and Liverpool only got better from there, ending a 30-year wait for the English league title by amassing a remarkable 99 points. Van Dijk and Liverpool also won the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Sup the same season.
Van Dijk, 30, continues to be a key player for Liverpool, his power, athleticism, understated pace, aerial ability, and reading of the game have been central to the team's revived Premier League title hopes.
Into the FA Cup semi-finals, having won the League Cup, Liverpool is still fighting for an unprecedented quadruple – and Van Dijk has been instrumental in that pursuit. After their victory in Lisbon this week, they are even more favorites to win the Champions League according to the odds on the Bovada website.
Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
It took several years and millions of pounds for Manchester City to find a worthy successor for Vincent Kompany. It was a strange weakness for such a strong team that they struggled to find a center back who could fill the void left by the Belgian.
City's search finally led them to Dias, who joined the club from Benfica in a deal worth a reported of €68m (£61.64m) in September 2020. Similar to Van Dijk, Dias felt like the final piece of the puzzle for City and the team have become much more solid since the Portuguese's arrival.
Famous for their swaggering attacking style, City have also been able to grind out wins with Dias in the team, earning a league-leading 19 clean sheets in the 2020/21 season as the Citizens reclaimed the Premier League title. Dias was named the "comfortable winner" of the FWA Player of the Year Award at the end of his debut season.
City remain rock solid this campaign with Dias at the heart of the defence, and the center back's leadership, composure, and defensive excellence have ensured the club are in pole position for successive league titles, and still in the hunt for FA Cup and Champions League honours.
Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
Arguably the worst misstep of Frank Lampard's short spell as Chelsea manager was to drop and essentially exile Rudiger from the first team.
Since Thomas Tuchel's arrival in January, Rudiger has emerged as one of Chelsea's leaders, playing a key role in their remarkable run to the Champions League title last season and helping the Blues become the 'best of the rest' behind Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.
The German is not only quick, but is strong in the tackle, has excellent positioning, and wins almost everything in the air. He has also made a habit of making surging runs forward and pops up with important goals.
The concern for Chelsea, though, is whether Rudiger will still be playing at Stamford Bridge next season. His contract expires at the end of June, and he is currently unable to sign new terms, with the club under government sanctions and in the process of being sold.
Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
One of the best examples of age being nothing but a number, 37-year-old Thiago Silva remains one of the classiest defenders in world football and has been a roaring success in the Premier League for Chelsea.
It might not have looked that way after his shaky debut, but the Brazilian has looked every inch the world class player since his free transfer move from Paris Saint-Germain. Silva is the archetypal modern-day center back, relying on his anticipation, positioning, and composure to marshal the Chelsea defence, while his ball-playing ability is that of a midfielder.
So good as Silva has been, his one-year Chelsea contract has twice been extended and he will line up for the Blues for a third campaign next season.
Ben White (Arsenal)
A few eyebrows raised when Arsenal decided to part with £50m to sign White from Brighton last summer. Young and English, he fit the profile of an Arsenal signing but the consensus was the Gunners had generously overpaid for his services.
Arsenal endured a poor start to the season but have since turned a corner and are in the fight for the Premier League top four, with White a key reason for their general upturn in results and form.
The 24-year-old has quickly become a leader in the Arsenal team and the totem of their defence. The Gunners are a far superior and solid team with White in the line-up.
Need a VPN? Or seeking to switch? Then support Tribal Football by clicking here to sign up with our official partners NordVPN. Not only will you receive the best VPN experience, but also great discounts by signing up via Tribal Football. Thanks for your support!