The 10 best defenders in world soccer right now

In the 18 months since Bayer Leverkusen paid Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes $23 million for Edmond Tapsoba, the Burkina Faso-born youngster has established himself as German soccer's most outstanding center back.

As well as excelling in his regular defensive duties such as tackling, winning aerial duels, and blocking and clearing the ball, the 22-year-old is also second-to-none (or one, in this case) as distributing the ball.

Only one central defender in Europe's top five leagues, Manchester City's Ruben Dias, has completed more forward passes than Tapsoba, this term, 91% of which he's completed.

Italy is renowned for producing legendary defenders – Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, and Giorgio Chiellini to name just a few.

Next up on the conveyor belt is 22-year-old Alessandro Bastoni, who has been the heartbeat of Inter Milan's defence this term, which has conceded fewer goals than any other team in Serie A.

Playing on the left side of the newly crowned champion's back three, Bastoni is dominant in the air, offers an acute reading of the game, and, most importantly for modern center backs, thrives with the ball at his feet.

"I have never seen anyone play at his level, at his age, if not maybe Maldini," Bastoni's agent said of the defender in January. "He has a bright future ahead of him and he deserves it."

Once of the most revered full back in world soccer, Jordi Alba's stock has gradually fallen over the last few years.

This season, however, the Spaniard has been back to his very best, playing a huge role in FC Barcelona's unlikely bid for the La Liga title.

The 32-year-old has chipped in with a solid 15 assists in all competitions, while he's also scored five goals – the most he's managed in a single season since his debut campaign in 2012/13.

No club in Europe's top five leagues has conceded fewer goals than LOSC Lille this season, which has let in just 22 in 36 games.

Sven Botman has been at the center of that achievement, with the Dutch central defender proving a revelation since his $10 million transfer from Ajax last summer.

Towering at 6-foot-4, the 21-year-old is commanding in the air, but also assured on the ball and excellent in the tackle.

So impressive has Botman been, Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool wants him to partner countryman Virgil van Dijk at the heart of its defence.

Joao Cancelo is much more than just a defender for Manchester City.

The Portugal international serves as hybrid full-back and midfielder, who defends when Pep Guardiola's side don't have the ball, but then moves infield to act as a playmaker when it does, adding an extra body to midfield to help suffocate the opposition.

Its the kind of job Phillip Lahm did so well at Bayern Munich under Guardiola, and one only a very special kind of player is given the responsibility to do.

Cancelo is one of the key reasons that City is Premier League champion and has reached the Champions League final for the first time.

"If any team is in the market for a center back right now out of the top teams, with the finances, Marquinhos is the only place I'm going," the former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said on his most recent episode of his Vibe with FIVE podcast.

"Big game player. Every big game you see that guy plays, he turns up. Fit as you like. Quick. Robust. Battled hardened. Understands the big game environments.

"Top player. Great attitude. Leader. Got it all."

With PSG staring down another premature exit from the Champions League and not winning the French league for the first time in almost five years, Marquinhos might want out this summer. Any takers?

Playing on the right-hand side of a back five – especially one put together by Antonio Conte – is an extremely demanding role.

Achraf Hakimi has made the job look effortless in his first season at Inter Milan.

The flying Moroccan, who boasts some of the most impressive speed you're ever likely to see on a soccer pitch, has chipped in with a mightily impressive seven goals and 10 assists, and has developed a wonderful understanding with striker Romelu Lukaku.

The 22-year-old has also helped Conte's side concede just 30 goals in Italy's top flight – the least of any team in the division – en route to its first Serie A title in a decade.

After conceding more goals (54) than any other team in the top half of the Premier League last season, Chelsea desperately needed to strengthen at the back this term.

In stepped Thiago Silva.

The Brazilian, who signed as a free agent in the summer after leaving Paris Saint Germain, has been a colossus at the back for the Blues, especially since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as manager in January.

Since the German took over, Chelsea have conceded 11 goals in 25 games in all competitions — fewer than any other team in Europe's top five leagues during that same period.

Kalidou Koulibaly has missed almost a third of this season for Napoli due to struggles with injury and a battle with coronavirus.

Despite that, however, since making his Serie A debut in 2014-15, the Senegalese still ranks first among defenders in the league for clean sheets, tackles won, recoveries, successful passes, and successful passes in the opposition half.

Every summer the 29-year-old is linked with a move away from Naples, and this year is no different. According to Mundo Deportivo, he is wanted by Barcelona as a replacement for the aging Gerard Pique.

Manchester City splashed $87 million to bring Ruben Dias to the Etihad Stadium from Benfica last summer.

After a slightly shaky start, that has proven to be money well spent.

The 23-year-old has brought much needed leadership and organization to Pep Guardiola's back line, while his ability to play out from the back error-free makes him far less panic-inducing than his predecessor Nicolas Otamendi.

City won its fifth Premier League title this season, and Dias, rightly so, is favourite to win Player of the Season.