TOP 5 Central Defenders of the Decade 2010–2019.
1. Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique was a Barcelona Youth product that Manchester United bought in the 2006–07. At the time you could see he was a good prospect and had every tool to become a top defender . One thing he lacked for the Premier league will be strength but he had a good passing range and could develop. What he became was a World Class defender and yes the environment of La Liga and Barcelona helped him for sure but his performances in the Champions leagues proved he was a world class defender. Two Champions leagues , 6 La Liga titles , Multiple Copa Del Rays and added to them the World Cup and Euro Championships with his national side. These astounding number of titles in all these competitions makes Pique my №1 best Central Defender of the decade 2010–2019.
2. Giorgio Chiellini
When you want to make a list of the best defenders of the decade 2010–2019 then the second name that springs to your mind is Giorgio Chiellini. The rock which has been the foundation of Juventus domination of the Serie A since Juve were back from their relegation. 7 League titles all of which have been consecutive have been built on his partnership with Bonucci and while Bonucci is certainly more well known, its Chiellini that has been the best defender of the two. No Champions league titles is a bit of blemish on an otherwise impeccable trophy laden career it doesn’t spoil is place in my top 3.
3. Diego Godin
Diego Godin unlike the other defenders on this list doesn’t have a trophy laden career like the others but he has been the cornerstone of the Simione revolution at Atletico Madrid, For a club always in the shadow of its more illustrious derby rivals the great Real Madrid Atletico since Simione took over and had Godin as the main Centre back and captain of the club they have outshone other bigger European clubs in the Champions league . Godin is not only a brilliant defender but he commands that back like like no other. You want a defensive masterclass against any side then you need Diego Godin as your centre back . A pure defender and a nice knack of scoring goals makes him worthy of this podium finish as the 3rd best defender of this decade.
4. Leonardo Bonucci
Bonucci is the other centre back of that brilliant partnership with Chiellini . The most Juventus conceded when Bonucci played with Chiellini has been 30 goals .. averaging only 25 goals conceded per season is a stupendous achievement. What sets Bonucci apart and especially makes him better than Chiellini in one department is his passing which complemented Chiellini’s more defending first approach not dissimilar to the Vidic and Rio partnership at Manchester United.
5. Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is not everyones cup of tea . He has more red cards than anyone else this decade and is a liability at times but he has to be among the top 5 best Central defenders of this decade. A Right Back when he started then converted to a Centre back, Sergio Ramos may be a controversial choice but what he has been and done has Captained Real Madrid to 4 Champions league titles and scored crucial match winning goals in La Liga and the Champions League. His header to equalise in the 2013–14 final in the last seconds against Atletico and then Real Madrid went on the score another 3 made one forget the importance of that Ramos goal. Without that goal and taking the game to extra time we probably would not have witnessed the Champions league dominance by Real Madrid which led them to win the Champions league in 4 of the 5 seasons including that first CL win after 11 years and the Three consecutive Champions league titles. Not to forget he has won 1 World Cup and One Euro also with his national side Spain.
It maybe controversial but for me Sergio Ramos is deserving of being 5th in the list of best centre backs of this decade.
Honorable mentions
Virgil Van Dijk
As much as it pains me to say but the next decade is going to have Van Dijk in the top 5 of best centre backs of 2020–2029 decade. His one brilliant season almost got him into the top 5 but his time will come.
Jerome Boateng
Another defender part of an all conquering league side in Bayern Munich . 7 consecutive Bundesliga titles built on Boateng’s all round defensive ability. Add a World cup with Germany also to his trophy list.
Mats Hummels
Brilliant defender and at one time the most sought after defender and a World cup winner where he was instrumental for Germany and he makes this mentions list
Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane is a 4 time Champions league and multiple La Liga and a World Cup winning defender. He is still only 26 and seems he has been around forever and hasn’t even hit his peak which is scary for other clubs and amazing for Real Madrid. He has every attribute a defender needs and more.
Vincent Kompany
Manchester City have had the riches since 2008–09 and have bought multiple world class players in expensive deals but their greatest player in my opinion is a player they bought before the riches flowed and that is Vincent Kompany. The cornerstone of their 4 Premier league titles and multiple FA Cups and League Cups gets an honorable mention.
If I have missed any please let me know in the comments below.
Originally published at https://thegloryhunter.com on April 10, 2020.
