The best defender in the world is a topic that can cause plenty of conversations, and lead to few conclusions. Looking at the great defenders of yesteryear, there are a number of different characteristics to take into consideration.
Is the best defender in the world, the one that can read the game in the best way? Is it the player with the greatest tackles? Does the player need to also possess an attacking repertoire?
Perhaps, the best method of deciding the best defender in the world involves judging by the stats, as well as with the eyes.
According to fantasy football stats, courtesy of FootballCoin, these are the greatest defenders in 2022.
William Saliba (Olympique Marseille)
William Saliba witnessed Arsenal’s recent struggles from exile. Although, judging by his own excellent performances this may not be for long. Saliba arrived in the Emirates in 2019. He received no chance at first-team football. The defender was quickly loaned back to France. This year, playing for Marseille, he has been Ligue 1’s best defender.
Saliba goes to prove that choosing the best defender in the world is not just a matter of reputation. It pays to research the stats. Saliba‘s excellent passing, commanding aerial presence, and dribbles make him one of the best attack-minded defenders in the world. Arsenal’s loss has been OM’s gain in 2022.
Giovani Di Lorenzo (Napoli)
Giovani Di Lorenzo grew up in 2022 and firmly established himself as one of the best wing-backs in football. Good performances had landed him a spot in Italy’s Euro 20 winning squad. But, in 2022, Di Lorenzo became a leader for Napoli. The Partenopei became a title-challenging squad once again. The defender’s individual game also improved. His pressing and his progressive passes are exceptional. His tackling and goal assists are sound. You’d be hard-pressed to find a defender with a greater skillset.
Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
Eder MIlitao had the world on his shoulders in 2022. His task was to replace Sergio Ramos for Real Madrid. It was enough to make any player unsure of himself. Thankfully, manager Carlo Ancellotti has seen enough defensive quality to recognize Militao’s. Real Madrid became a European force once more. And, Eder Militao was at the heart of the performances. No other La Liga defender has done it better in 2022. This should be enough to warrant a nomination for the role of the best defender in the world.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Joao Cancelo may be a good defender playing in the best defensive unit in the world. Manchester City is a well-drilled machine. It takes all of the players’ contributions to produce this kind of quality. Cancelo was one of Pep Guardiola’s biggest bets. It’s paid off. The wing-backs explosive runs, and defensive discipline have helped keep City at the top of the EPL tables. Considering the Portuguese’s consistency, it would be unfair not to consider him for the title of best defender in the world.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is seemingly a perpetual choice on every fantasy football guide. The England defender has certainly been at the top of FootballCoin stats since becoming a Liverpool regular. The right-back has managed the greatest stats of any EPL player in 2022. There’s simply no better way to say this. Alexander-Arnold’s defensive knowledge and attacking contribution are a nudge above just about any other player in his position. It is difficult to argue against him being the best defender in the world.
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