The Premier League is the first division of English Football, which starts in August and ends in May. It is called the toughest league to play in by the pundits and fans. A lot of defenders are currently performing at the top, and it’s hard to rank the top 10 defenders. For example, a player like Nikola Milenkovic has impressed a lot this season, and we can see his team on the table.
Some of the best defenders in the Premier League at this moment are Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), and Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal). These lists just contain a few, as youngsters such as Lewis-Skelly and Dean Huijsen have also been impressive this season.
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Top 10 Best Defenders in the Premier League in 2024-2025
10. Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
The Croatian defender has seen his option shift to left back from centre back quite a few times, but still always has been impressive. Especially with his pace and strength, it is not easy for the attackers to go past him.
| Full Name | Josko Gvardiol |
| Date of Birth | January 23, 2002 (Zagreb, Croatia) |
| Club & Position | Manchester City (since 2023) – Centre-back, Left-back |
| International Career | Croatia (since 2021) |
| Notable Achievements | FIFA World Cup Bronze Medalist (2022), 2× DFB-Pokal Winner, Most Expensive Defender in Football History (€77M) |
9. Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)
Van de Ven is the fastest centre back in the Premier League recently. His team might be struggling, but the Dutch superstar is very sharp with his defensive awareness.
| Full Name | Micky van de Ven |
| Date of Birth | April 19, 2001 (Wormer, Netherlands) |
| Club & Position | Tottenham Hotspur (since 2023) – Centre-back, Left-back |
| International Career | Netherlands (since 2023) |
| Notable Achievements | Tottenham Player of the Season (2024), Fastest Premier League Player (23.23 mph), Bundesliga’s Fastest Defender (22.3 mph) |
8. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Ruben Dias was one of the top 3 defenders in the Premier League just a few years back, but this year it’s a season to forget for the Portuguese star. He is known for his passing and is very important for his team’s possession-based game.
| Full Name | Ruben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias |
| Date of Birth | May 14, 1997 (Amadora, Portugal) |
| Club & Position | Manchester City (since 2020) – Centre-back |
| International Career | Portugal (since 2018) |
| Notable Achievements | UEFA Champions League Winner (2023), Premier League Player of the Season (2021), UEFA Nations League Winner (2019) |
7. Murillo (Notthingham Forest)
This season, Murillo has one of the talents who have been magnificent from the start of the season. His key strength is his positional awareness, and his important for the stability of Nottingham’s defence.
| Full Name | Murillo Santiago Costa dos Santos |
| Date of Birth | July 4, 2002 (Sao Paulo, Brazil) |
| Club & Position | Nottingham Forest (since 2023) – Centre-back |
| International Career | Brazil (since 2025) |
| Notable Achievements | Nottingham Forest Player of the Season (2024), First Brazil Cap (2025), Most Expensive Defender in Forest History (€12M) |
6. Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Robinson, the Fulham full-back, is very dangerous when it comes to providing crosses in the box. His work rate is something to talk about, and he usually performs when playing against the big names.
| Full Name | Antonee Robinson |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1997 (Milton Keynes, England) |
| Club & Position | Fulham (since 2020) – Left-back |
| International Career | United States (since 2018) |
| Notable Achievements | 3× CONCACAF Nations League Winner (2021, 2023, 2024), Fulham Player of the Season (2023–24), U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year (2024) |
5. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest)
Especially, a lot of credit should go to Milenkovic for the defensive structure that Nottingham holds. He not only contributes with his defensive skills but also scores goals and provides assists.
| Full Name | Nikola Milenkovic |
| Date of Birth | October 12, 1997 (Belgrade, Serbia) |
| Club & Position | Nottingham Forest (since 2024) – Centre-back |
| International Career | Serbia (since 2018) |
| Notable Achievements | 2× Serbian Cup Winner, 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League Best XI, Most Expensive Serbian Defender (€15M) |
4. Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
Partnering Van Dijk in defence, and equally responsible for the success of Liverpool this season. Konate is very much smart in winning the duels and also out muscles opponents easily.
| Full Name | Ibrahima Konate |
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1999 (Paris, France) |
| Club & Position | Liverpool (since 2021) – Centre-back |
| International Career | France (since 2022) |
| Notable Achievements | FIFA World Cup Runner-up (2022), FA Cup Winner (2022), EFL Cup Winner (2022) |
3. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
Gabriel can be called the set-piece converter of Arsenal. In the past two seasons, he has scored the most goals as a defender. This season, he has already scored five goals, but unfortunately, it is said he will miss the remainder of the season.
| Full Name | Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes |
| Date of Birth | December 19, 1997 (Sao Paulo, Brazil) |
| Club & Position | Arsenal (since 2020) – Centre-back |
| International Career | Brazil (since 2023) |
| Notable Achievements | FA Community Shield Winner (2023), Arsenal Player of the Month (Multiple Times), Copa Libertadores Winner (2017) |
2. William Saliba (Arsenal)
Saliba is the wall of that Arsenal defence along with Gabriel. Every strong in aerial duels and also has positional awareness. The last time he and his partner conceded more than three goals was in December 2023.
| Full Name | William Alain Andre Gabriel Saliba |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 2001 (Bondy, France) |
| Club & Position | Arsenal (since 2019) – Centre-back |
| International Career | France (since 2022) |
| Notable Achievements | FIFA World Cup Runner-up (2022), Arsenal’s Defensive Leader, Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2021) |
1. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The best defender in the Premier League currently is Liverpool defender and captain Virgil Van Dijk. He has been consistently delivering world-class performances since he joined Liverpool. Known for his Leadership skills and understanding of the game.
| Full Name | Virgil van Dijk |
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1991 (Breda, Netherlands) |
| Club & Position | Liverpool (since 2018) – Centre-back |
| International Career | Netherlands (since 2015) |
| Notable Achievements | UEFA Champions League Winner (2019), Premier League Winner (2020), UEFA Men’s Player of the Year (2019) |
List of Top 10 defenders with their playing position
| Rank | Player | Club | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | Centre-Back |
| 2 | William Saliba | Arsenal | Centre-Back |
| 3 | Gabriel Magalhaes | Arsenal | Centre-Back |
| 4 | Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool | Centre-Back |
| 5 | Nikola Milenkovic | Nottingham Forest | Centre-Back |
| 6 | Antonee Robinson | Fulham | Left-Back |
| 7 | Murillo | Nottingham Forest | Centre-Back |
| 8 | Ruben Dias | Manchester City | Centre-Back |
| 9 | Micky van de Ven | Tottenham Hotspur | Centre-Back |
| 10 | Josko Gvardiol | Manchester City | Centre-Back / Left-Back |
