The most effective centre-back partnerships want a complementary mix of attributes and the Premier League is dwelling to some commanding combos proper now.
Central defenders require energy, presence, nous and bravado, enabling them to dominate duels towards opposition forwards. Fashionable footballing tendencies have additionally required defenders to be higher on the ball than ever earlier than, rising the already tough calls for.
We’ve tried to rank the very best centre-back partnerships within the Premier League proper now.
Rating the very best centre-back partnerships within the Premier League5. Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic – Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have exceeded expectations to shake up the desk over the season’s opening weeks. Pre-season predictors tipped the Tough Timber for a dogfight however Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect are flying excessive in third.
The success of the aspect has been constructed on a superb partnership of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic in central defence.
The previous is a bullish presence who has earned a primary call-up for Brazil this week and boasts the kind of promise that might see large bids arrive on the Metropolis Floor. Milenkovic, in the meantime, has been one of many Signings of the Season. Snapped up from Fiorentina in the summertime, he’s proven all of the qualities that noticed him attain back-to-back European finals with La Viola. Solely Liverpool (6) have conceded fewer targets than Forest (7) this season.
4. John Stones and Ruben Dias – Manchester Metropolis
Inserting any centre-back duo from the four-in-a-row champions this far down the checklist is likely to be sinful, however do Manchester Metropolis also have a first-choice partnership?
Accidents and rotation has seen Pep Guardiola chop and alter at centre-back with John Stones and Ruben Dias – maybe their greatest pair – not often in tandem this season. Getting them each again to kind and health will decide their season’s ambitions.
3. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven – Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou’s adventurous type might by no means seen Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven benefit from the safety afforded to others on this checklist, however there are few extra gifted centre-back pairs.
Van de Ven’s unimaginable athleticism is well-documented, whereas Romero has been a cornerstone of three consecutive main event wins for Argentina. Spurs are reliant on their one-against-one qualities to implement a daring defensive plan.
2. William Saliba and Gabriel – Arsenal
William Saliba and Gabriel have helped remodel Arsenal into one in all Europe’s meanest sides.
The Gunners have boasted the very best defensive document within the Premier League over the past two seasons, a document largely because of the center of their defence.
Saliba’s easy aura has earned the inevitable Rolls-Royce nickname, whereas Gabriel has emerged as one of many Premier League’s most constant centre-backs alongside him. Mikel Arteta will hope their partnership might be the springboard to elusive silverware.
1. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate – Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate take the highest spot following an excellent begin to the season.
Konate started the marketing campaign out of the aspect however a half-time introduction on the opening weekend has kickstarted the very best type of the Frenchman’s profession with the membership. Commanding within the air and fast throughout the bottom, his channel defending permits Trent Alexander-Arnold the liberty to create additional ahead.
Aerial duel win fee within the Premier League this season:
Ibrahima Konaté – 82.25% (26/32)Virgil van Dijk – 72.55% (37/51)
Dominant 👊
Alongside him, Van Dijk stays arguably the benchmark for central defenders in world soccer. The Dutchman is likely to be 33 however he stays a step forward of the competitors and, crucially, opposition forwards.
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