EPL top 10 defenders 2022
A cliché of the modern game is the belief that goal scorers, magical midfielders, and outstanding goalkeepers earn more praise than defenders. But something might be about to change. Defenders’ scoring is no longer shocking, as the game’s advancement depends on their adept ball-handling. According to famed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, “Attack wins you games, defense wins you titles.” After selecting our top 10 goalkeepers of the season, it’s time to showcase the defenders and rank the finest this season has to offer.
1. Tino Livramento
The Premier League should be a couple of levels below for any 19-year-old player’s first season of professional football, but Southampton’s boisterous right-back skipped the lower leagues and immediately stepped up to the top flight. The teen had only ever played for Chelsea’s youth teams before this campaign, but things really started to pick up for him in August. He excelled after replacing mainstay Kyle Walker-Peters in an unfamiliar position on the left during the Saints’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United in their second league game of the year.
2. Conor Coady
The Wolves captain has bounced back from a bad season his previous outing to demonstrate to everyone just how exceptional he is—and how much his club depends on him. Only three teams—the top three—have conceded fewer goals than Bruno Lage’s squad, and their captain significantly contributed to that. The Wolves captain has played in all 30 Premier League games and more than 3,000 minutes this season, which is the most of any player at Molineux. He is also a part of the England national squad. His three goals this season have been the cherry on top of an incredible turnaround after he previously faced criticism for his goal-scoring ability. His winner against Everton was the deciding goal.
3. Ben White
By the summer of 2021, Brighton’s Ben White was without a doubt a talented Premier League player. But is £50,000,000 a decent amount? The 24-year-old, who had recently been called up to the England team ahead of the European Championships, was chosen by Arsenal as their new defensive lynchpin because they thought he was worth the risk. Arsenal has climbed into the fourth position with 10 games remaining after allowing the fewest goals of the four teams contending for the Champions League (Spurs, Manchester United, West Ham).
4. Andy Robertson
A driving force down Liverpool’s left-wing this year has once again been Robertson, a player whose form spans more than 18 months of Premier League play. The Scotland captain is now directly involved in a goal around every other game after missing the season’s first few games due to injury. The Reds last conceded a league goal two months ago, but Robertson picked up two assists to make up for it as Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park, moving them to within one point of league leaders Manchester City at the March international break. With 10 assists and one goal so far this season, Robertson is the league leader.
5. Joel Matip
Joel Matip, who is still at Anfield and is now gaining praise from other quarters, is a fan favorite. The 30-year-old has regularly been moved in and out of the Reds’ back line due to injuries and other players’ performances, but this season has appeared different despite Klopp’s unwavering faith in him. When it comes to major games, Matip is consistently the first choice, dropping £36 million signing Ibrahima Konate to the fourth spot, and demoting Joe Gomez to the backup role. Due to his outstanding recent play and commanding presence in both boxes, the Premier League awarded him the honor of Player defenders of the Month for February.
4. Antonio Rudiger
Only two teams have given up fewer goals than Liverpool this season, and one of those two is Chelsea. Despite going through a challenging time in the winter, Thomas Tuchel’s team has proved unbeatable on 13 occasions, with Antonio Rudiger putting out several outstanding efforts. The German has been an essential part of the team’s strategy, pestering opponents with his wiry power, aggression, and command of the mysterious arts of the game. He typically plays on the left side of the Blues’ back three. However, Rudiger has been positioning himself for a summer transfer abroad, which Chelsea sees as a disadvantage.
3. Thiago Silva
What else can be said about this person? It is clear that the 37-year-old is among the most experienced players in English football. This season, whenever the Blues have met choppy waters, Thiago Silva has constantly kept the ship stable. It is simply incredible that he is still above average at his age in a league as fiercely competitive as the Premier League. He continues to be a rock for Brazil because of his enduring defensive prowess. He extended his contract at Stamford Bridge in January, committing to stay there through June 2023, when he will be a few months shy of turning 39.
2. Joao Cancelo
Cancelo is one of the players who has helped to change how we perceive the full-back position. As we hinted at earlier, defenders are getting more attention these days. After having a strong season the year before, the Portuguese, who can play superbly on either the right or left, have achieved new heights this season. Cancelo has a solid, if not exceptional, five assists and one goal, but his creativity is outstanding. The 27-year-old has led the division with 110 carries into the final third and has completed 75 more passes into the penalty area than any other player this season. Given that City has given up the fewest goals, it may seem unfair to have just one player on this list, but due to their regular substitutions, Cancelo has played more than 3,000 minutes, 600 more than Ruben Dias, who is the next-best player.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold
After doing his best to survive in a back line plagued by ailments the previous season and then missing out on Euro 2020 owing to injuries, Alexander-Arnold has reminded everyone of his unfathomable skill in 2021–22. Even though he has been playing behind the league’s best player this season Mohamed Salah, adding to his record of 11 assists, no one should undervalue his remarkable ball-handling skills, which have also resulted in two stunning goals. His free-kick against West Ham in November was a beauty, and his miraculous goal against Newcastle just before Christmas will be up for consideration in the coming weeks. Since he established himself as a regular for his boyhood club, the 23-year-old has been among Europe’s best full-backs. But he’s taken it a step further this season. He has performed well defensively, improving both in one-on-one play and positional awareness, and appears to have finally defeated Gareth Southgate. He has been an 8/10 in the majority of games.