Our run-down of the ten finest central defenders in world football.
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Despite the 2014 FIFA World Cup having seen plenty of goals hit the back of the net, particularly during the early stages of the tournament, the tight nature of many of the knock-out games showed that the defender can still be king in the modern game.
The world is not short of top class centre backs right now – and we’ve taken a look at the best of the best to pick out the ten finest central defenders currently playing the game.
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Despite some disappointing performances for Spain at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Sergio Ramos is still one of the planet’s finest centre backs – as shown by his decisive display for Real Madrid in the Champions League final victory against local rivals Atletico Madrid.
Ramos has spent his entire career with the club from the Spanish capital, earning a reputation for both his fearsome and determined defending and propensity to pick up red and yellow cards on a regular basis.
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Despite coming from humble beginnings in the French second division, Arsenal centre back Laurent Koscielny deserves his place on this list based on his superb performances whilst partnering German international Per Mertesacker at the Emirates Stadium.
A defender who is as commanding as he is composed, Koscielny has flourished to the extent that he would walk into most teams across the globe and is one of Europe’s finest defenders.
Thiago Silva (Paris Saint Germain)
As with Ramos, Brazil and Paris Saint Germain captain Thiago Silva didn’t enjoy the best of World Cups – but his performances in the French capital over recent seasons have rightly allowed him to be considered as one of the world’s finest defenders.
One of the first big money signings to be made by the new regime at the Parc des Princes, Silva has got better and better since being signed from AC Milan.
Gary Cahill (Chelsea)
England and Chelsea centre back Gary Cahill also had a disappointing World Cup, but the former Aston Villa man is one of half of the Premier League’s finest central defensive pairing.
Cahill has continued to improve since swapping Villa Park for Bolton Wanderers and then Stamford Bridge, becoming a mainstay of both the Chelsea and England teams.
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
A newly crowned World Cup winner, Borussia Dortmund and Germany man Mats Hummels could stake a genuine case for being the finest central defender that football currently has.
Stylish on the ball and rock solid off of it, Hummels has set about showing Bayern Munich, the club where he was developed, just what they missed out on when they let him move to Bundesliga rivals Dortmund.
Mehdi Benatia (AS Roma)
One of the defining features of AS Roma’s fine 2013/14 Serie A campaign was their absurdly good defensive record, which was helped massively by the performances of Morocco international Mehdi Benatia.
The former Clermont and Udinese man has taken his time to establish himself as one of the best, but holding on to the 27 year-old is now key to Roma’s hopes for the new season.
Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Former Hamburg star Vincent Kompany is now the galvanising force behind the success of Manchester City domestically and Belgium internationally, having flourished into a world class defender at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Dominant and composed, Kompany possesses all the attributes that you would want from the complete modern central defender.
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Continuing the theme of the best centre backs struggling at the World Cup, Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini also crashed out in the first round after losing, and being bitten, by Uruguay and Luis Suarez.
The Juventus man was a key part of the Old Lady’s third successive Serie A title last season, however, a result which owed so much to a stunning back line.
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Not only is Uruguay and Atletico Madrid man Diego Godin one of the finest defenders in football, but he’s picked up a fine knack of scoring crucial goals.
Godin’s magic head scored the crucial goals against Barcelona as Atletico Madrid secured the La Liga title last season, and also in the Champions League final and during Uruguay’s crucial World Cup group game against Italy.
Ezequiel Garay (Zenit)
Often overlooked due to playing one of Europe’s less fashionable leagues, Ezequiel Garay displayed all of his class with some fine displays for Argentina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The former Real Madrid man has moved on from Benfica this summer, joining Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg last month.
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