Centre-back in the ever-competitive football world are like gold, especially with the huge obsession of managers wanting to have a ball playing defenders in their team.
The act of defending has been a role that doesn’t only requires exceptional understanding of the game, but also requires mental, physical, and the ability to lead as a leader.
The first duty call of a centre-back is to combine their football value about the game with rugged marking, astute observation and willingness to give opponents a warning kick when required, which perhaps is the traits of a true centre-back.
Europe’s top leagues are littered with uncompromising centre-backs and ruthless ball winners, who could give any manager enough confidence in their defence anytime any day to withstand opponents threat when it matters most.
Today, we’ll look at the top 5 most wanted Europe’s centre-backs.
There is a race all around Europe for quality centre defenders, and with clubs not ready to let go of their world-class defenders, except the buying club is ready to break the bank for their target.
Looking at the consistency of all the players that will be mention in this piece, you would agree that they are five of the most wanted centre defenders, who without a doubt would improve the defensive department of any top club.
- Kalidou Koulibaly – (Senegal, Napoli)
When the media asked the President of Napoli, De Laurentiis, is Koulibaly leaving? He replied: “Ask Manchester United, City, Bayern Munich“, which to some extent means that any club who is ready to doll out the €100m price tag of the Senegalese defender would have him.
Meanwhile, Aurelio De Laurentiis has also said in the past that Koulibaly would only leave if an offer of €100m comes in, which also gives credence to Radio Punto Nuevo, quote “Without a great offer he does not move” words of De Laurentiis.
Koulibaly played over 27 games and created four chances in the Seria A last season. He played a total of 2109 minutes and conceded an average of 1.41 goals per every 90 minutes on the pitch. He also had a total clean sheet of 20% in 5 matches out of the total matches he played for Napoli.
The Senegalese defender has been a long time transfer target for some of the biggest club in Europe in recent time, with his name always mentioned in the media it’s a testament to how fantastic the Napoli man has fared in the world of football.
Koulibaly has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City respectively. As it stands, it’s looking like the Senegalese would be heading to the Etihad Stadium, but then let wait and see how things turn out.
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- Gabriel Magalhaes – (Brasil, Lille/Arsenal)
Arteta led Arsenal have beaten off competitors vying to sign the Brazilian centre-back, by snapping him up from Ligue 1 side for a transfer fee reported to be around £25m.
The Lille OSC centre-back has always been a regular name in the transfer news for some seasons now, because of how fantastic he’s been playing.
French football expert ‘Jonathan Johnson’ opined that if the Gunners completes the signing of Gabriel, he would form a long term defensive partnership with William Saliba. Johnson also went further by saying
“it would be a partnership of two very good promising centre defensive talents, and a partnership which could serve the Gunners for a long time defensively.
The Brazilian has proved to be a very talented defender over the year with Lille OSC. Showing his physicality in the air, good techniques on the ball, and has a defensive skill set which made him a prime target for a number of club, which in the end the Gunners were able to secure his signature.
- Dayot Upamecano – (France, RB Leipzig)
Without mincing words, Upamencano was RB Leipzig second best player for the 2019-20 campaign behind Timo Werner. The centre-back played over 28 matches last season for Leipzig, playing a total of 2359 minutes, conceding an average of 1.03 goals for every 90 minutes he played on the pitch. He also has a total of 28% clean-sheet ratio in 8 matches out of 28 matches appeared in.
With all of this stats about the Leipzig man, it shows the reason why he’s been one of the finest defenders in Europe and a talent top club would dream to have in their rank. He did prove how commanding and organized he could be in defence, with his five-star performances in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid keeping the troublesome Diego Costa at bay.
If reports in the media were anything to go by, the Leipzig centre-back could be heading to the red side of Manchester.
However, getting him might be a tough call for the Red Devils, considering the fact of the huge price tag on him. Other top clubs might also be looking to snap him up.
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- Jose Gimenez – (Uruguay, Atletico Madrid)
The Uruguayan defender has always been a prime target in the transfer market for some seasons now since the club captain and fellow countrymen Diego Godin and Miranda left the Rojiblancos. He’s been one of the go-to men defensively with Savic for Diego Simeone led side.
Sometimes in July, the Atletico Madrid defender expressed his admiration for Chelsea’s new gaffer Frank Lampard when he was linked with the London giant, following Chelsea’s season marred by woeful defence errors.
Without a doubt, if the Blues were able to get him, he would prove a solid and fantastic addition.
But with the arrival of Thiago Silva, the Uruguayan centre back might not see himself playing for Chelsea at least for now.
Gimenez played a total of 27 games both in the League and cup games, playing a total of 1753 minutes and conceding an average goal of 0.56 per every 90 minutes on the pitch. Gimenez also averages a clean sheet of 52%, keeping a clean sheet of 11 matches out of the 21 La Liga games he played. If he continues with his blistering form, its just a matter of time before top clubs come strongly for his service.
- Milan Skriniar – (Slovakia, Inter Milan)
The Slovakian centre-back has been the number one beneficiaries of Antonio Conte’s revolutionary approach since he took up the reign of the blue and black part of Milan. Skriniar has established himself as one of the world finest defenders season in, season out, as such he has always been in the news as one of the most wanted centre-backs in Europe.
Throughout the 2019-20 campaign, the Inter Milan centre back forged a formidable defensive partnership with former Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin and De Vrij.
Skriniar appeared in 32 matches last season in Seria A, playing a total of 2628 minutes and conceding an average of 0.99 goals in 90 minutes per match. Keeping a clean sheet of 34% in 11 matches out of the 32 he featured in.
Clubs such as Real Madrid and other top teams in Europe are definitely monitoring the situation of the Slovakian, most especially with Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos gradually whining down.
If Florentino Perez looks in his direction, he might be the ideal replacement for the Spaniard.
