It’s usually mentioned that defenders mature later of their careers, however the Premier League is at present residence to a number of defensive starlets who’re shining this season.
There’s some critical centre-back expertise on the rise in English soccer. We’ve picked out 5 of the very best younger centre-backs within the Premier League, all aged 23 or beneath.
William Saliba (Arsenal)
William Saliba is already among the many very elite defenders in world soccer. The Frenchman’s introduction to the Arsenal facet has coincided with the membership’s emergence as among the best defensive items in Europe.
His profession already features a Ligue 1 Younger Participant of the 12 months award, back-to-back PFA Staff of the 12 months inclusions, and a nomination in The Greatest FIFA Males’s 11 for 2024. He’s been so good and so composed that it’s straightforward to overlook Saliba doesn’t flip 24 till March.
Saliba leads the Premier League for go completion (94.3%) this season and ranks among the many division’s prime gamers for proportion of dribblers tackled (4th), touches (sixth) and progressive carrying distance (eighth).
Micky Van de Ven (Tottenham)
A month Saliba’s junior, Van de Ven has additionally made an enormous impression within the Premier League. Spurs snapped up the centre-back from Wolfsburg in 2023 and he made a direct impression, incomes the membership’s Participant of the Season award in his debut marketing campaign.
The journey of Ange Postecoglou’s plan means the 23-year-old is commonly tasked with big duty, along with his restoration tempo the ace up his sleeve. Van de Ven has the velocity to match any ahead within the sport, which mixed with a hulking 6ft 4in body is an nearly distinctive mix.
Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
Nottingham Forest are having fun with the journey proper now with Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet upsetting the chances to gatecrash the Champions League locations. A lot of their success has been constructed on the central defensive pairing of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.
The latter is a participant who seems destined for an even bigger stage and is prospering within the infancy of his senior profession. He leads the Premier League for blocks (39), clearances (112) and profitable dribbles (14) amongst central defenders, whereas rating second for possibilities created (10) and thru balls (5).
Murillo combines a bullish body with nimble Brazilian footwork and will appeal to big provides from rival golf equipment in upcoming switch home windows. Nonetheless simply 22, he’d already enhance most sides within the division.
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)
Dean Huijsen is popping the heads of rival golf equipment with rumoured curiosity from Actual Madrid. Bournemouth snapped up the Spain u-21 worldwide from Juventus in the summertime and will quickly make a big revenue on their preliminary £12.6m funding.
The 19-year-old has excelled in current weeks for a Cherries staff pushing for Europe. He’s scored important objectives in wins over Tottenham and Manchester United whereas demonstrating a composure that belies his inexperience.
Glorious within the air and comfortable striding ahead with the ball at his ft, he leads all Premier League centre-backs for the proportion of defensive duels received (84.62%). Heading to the highest.
Illia Zabaryni (Bournemouth)
Huijsen’s centre-back companion is one other who has caught the attention of prime golf equipment. He’s performed each minute of Bournemouth’s marketing campaign so far and ranks sixth amongst all Premier League gamers for clearances.
The Ukraine worldwide solely turned 22 in September however has already amassed 150 senior appearances in his membership profession and 45 caps for the nationwide staff. This season, he’s successful 64% of his floor duels and 67% of aerial battles. His partnership with Huijsen is likely one of the most fun wherever in Europe proper now.
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