The six best young defenders that could head to the Premier League this summer.
Though there has been plenty of goals at this World Cup, the standard of defending has been equally as high. Wether it has been a stout centre-back, or a flying full-back, the defenders at this year’s tournament have added to the excitement of the whole show in spades. Naturally, several of them have already been linked with Premier League moves this summer, and we have brought you the six best young stoppers that could head to the English top flight in the coming weeks.
Joel Veltman – Ajax/Netherlands to Arsenal or Tottenham
The young Ajax star made it into Louis Van Gaal’s squad for the finals following his first full season with the Dutch champions, and his performances in the Eredivise have caught the attentions of the Premier League giants.
Despite only getting off the bench late in the 5-1 demolition of Spain in the first round, he is still being closely watched by the north London rivals, who both need more defensive cover for the upcoming season.
Eder Balanta – River Plate/Colombia to Liverpool or West Ham
The 21-year-old has been in fine form for Argentinian giants River Plate this year, and his performances were noted by Liverpool and West Ham long before the tournament kicked off last month.
Having featured just once against Japan in Colombia’s final group game and showed that has a long future ahead of him at international level, even though he was kept out of the side in favour of seasoned veteran Mario Yepes, though he will be able to step into those shoes now that the 38-year-old will likely hang up his boots.
Kostas Manolas – Olympiakos/Greece to Arsenal
With Thomas Vermaelen likely to join Manchester united once his own involvement in the World Cup comes to an end the Gunners will be on the lookout for a replacement, and reports are suggesting that the Greek international will be the ideal man.
Manolas featured in all four of Greece’s games as they eked their way out of the group stage before crashing out on penalties to Costa Rica, and he has enough experience at international and European level to provide adequate cover to both Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.
Raphael Varane – Real Madrid to Chelsea
The French starlet is being tipped as one for the future at both club and international level, and has already shown his class by helping Madrid win the Champions League and making his home in the centre of France’s massively talented back line.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho is a known fan of the 21-year-old, having already signed him once during his career, and he is now thought to be weighing up a second move for him this summer. However, it will require a hefty fee to prize him away as he is just as revered in the Spanish capital as he is in west London.
Ricardo Rodriguez – Wolfsburg to Liverpool
The Swiss star was one of the main reasons the central European side made it through a tricky group stage, but Liverpool’s interest in the player goes well beyond the World Cup.
Originally a backup plan to their hopes of landing Alberto Moreno, he has since been thrust to the front of the queue as the deal for the Spaniard has stalled. His creativity and crossing ability would be most welcome at Anfield and a move could be imminent.
DeAndre Yedlin – Seattle Sounders to Liverpool
The young American made two cameo appearances for the USMNT in the group stages before announcing himself to the world during their knockout round game against Belgium where he replaced star player Fabian Johnson early on.
He has steadily been establishing himself as a regular for the Sounders over the past two seasons and could be set to become the latest American import to the Premier League as the Reds look set to hand him a trial.
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