The best center-backs in football now

• Strong defenses are the foundation of great teams.
• Although you may hear that defenders “aren’t as good as they once were,” there are still some pretty impressive center-backs.
• We list the best center backs in football now.

Strong defenses are the foundation of great teams, and while you may hear that defenders “aren’t as good as they once were,” there are still some pretty impressive center-backs playing in the modern game.

We list the best defenders in football now.

Eder Militao – Real Madrid

Eder Militao plays center back for Real Madrid. Photo/ Keepup.

Real Madrid may have struggled in La Liga this season, but Los Blancos have added the Copa del Rey to their impressive trophy collection and are still in the hunt for further European championships.

Eder Militao has developed into an exceptional option in center defense, has been the foundation of their best performances this season. Despite Antonio Rudiger’s high-profile summer transfer from Chelsea, Militao has excelled at the center of the backline.

Kim Min-jae – Napoli

Kim Min-Jae. Photo by CaughtOffSide

Kim Min-jae, who had been bought from Fenerbahce to replace Kalidou Koulibaly, who was headed to Chelsea, had large shoes to fill when he arrived at Napoli last summer.

For several seasons, Koulibaly served as a rock in the middle of the Napoli defense. During that time, he was named to the divisional team of the year four times and was awarded the best defender in Serie A in 2018–19.

After serving as the defensive cornerstone that helped the team win the Scudetto in just one season, Min-jae has succeeded where Koulibaly failed. As Napoli won the title for the first time in 33 years, the South Korean defender emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after backs.

Ronald Araujo – Barcelona

For the first time since 2018/19, Barcelona is poised to win the Spanish championship, and Xavi’s team’s success has been based in large part on their outstanding defensive performance.

The Catalans have only allowed 11 goals in 33 league games this season, closing in on a number of defensive records. A 38-game La Liga season has never had fewer than 18 goals allowed (Deportivo, 1993/94; Atlético, 2015/16).

Although several players have contributed to that record, Ronald Araujo’s performances have highlighted his growing significance to the side.

This season, the Uruguayan has upped his game and shut down some of the biggest names in the sport, including impressive displays against players like Vinicius Junior. At Camp Nou, the 24-year-old is showing he has what it takes to be a captain.

John Stones – Manchester City

John Stones has been solid for Manchester City. Photo/ Sky Sports.

Outside of Manchester City circles, John Stones might not always receive flowers, but everyone who has spent time at the Etihad this season is fully aware of how much he is valued.

Following a spectacular campaign for Pep Guardiola’s team, in which Stones was able to adapt, develop, and flourish in the nuances of his manager’s system, the defender’s celebrity status has increased.

As Guardiola searches for fluidity and overloads, the 28-year-old has played centrally, at right-back, and in midfield, frequently juggling all three positions within the same game. Stones, who now leads the Premier League in pass completion percentage (94%) this season, is a calm, collected, multi-talented, and intellectual player who has been the ideal fit to carry out Guardiola’s instructions.

Ruben Dias – Manchester City

Since the Ruben Dias’ rehabilitation from a hamstring injury, his comeback has probably made all the difference for Manchester City this year. The team’s performance has elevated significantly.

City are unbeaten since Portugal international Dias made his comeback in January and has only lost once this season with Dias in the lineup. The 25-year-old brings a competitive mindset to the big stage and adds steel to City’s attacking abilities.

Dias blends traditional center-back characteristics with the ability to carry the ball from the back with confidence. Dias is a positionally outstanding and authoritative in the air player. Rarely agitated and prepared to put his life on the line when necessary, Dias’ tenacity has been a driving force in City’s push for a potential treble.

The fact that City are not the same team without him is maybe the best evidence of how much of an impact he has had on Pep Guardiola’s squad.