The Premier League in its 24 previous seasons has seen some fine defenders. The likes of Tony Adams, Nemanja Vidic, Ledley King, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Jamie Carragher have graced the league with their solidity at the back.
This season has seen teams clock up 53 clean sheets out of a possible 220. Chelsea are at the top of the list, Thibaut Courtois notching up six ahead of usual suspects Petr Cech, David de Gea and Hugo Lloris with four each.
Some of the credit must go to the men in front of these custodians, who have been responsible for keeping the opposition at bay.
We look at the top five defenders in the early part of the season, with a criteria of having made a minimum of five appearances.
Jan Vertonghen
Tottenham’s and Belgium’s inability to land silverware has perhaps taken some sheen off the ex-Ajax man’s exploits. Despite the former’s collapse last season, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld had formed the Premier League’s top defensive unit last season, letting in only 35 goals, at a rate of less than one every match.
Now in his fifth season in North London, the Belgian has been ever-present this season, playing every minute of their campaign. While Alderweireld has missed all but two games this season owing to injury, Vertonghen has partnered Eric Dier and Kevin Wimmer at the heart of defence en route to five clean sheets this term.
Leading Tottenham’s unbeaten charge this season, it is important to remember that Vertonghen has already played 24 games for club and country this term, also having played for Belgium in the Euros. He also leads the league in clearances per game, notching up 9.8 every 90 minutes.
The Belgian has 129 Premier League appearances to his name, averaging almost 30 starts every season. Hugo Lloris might be the team’s captain, but ol’ Jan has proved to be the most vital cog in Pochettino’s defence.
Virgin Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk is so crucial to Southampton’s hopes this season that he is the highest rated Saints player this season, according to whoscored.com.
Van Dijk is another one of our top five, who has played every minute of Southampton’s campaign. Southampton have conceded only 12 goals this season and it is Van Dijk’s and partner Jose Fonte’s form in the heart of defence that has helped them keep three clean sheets.
Manchester United may be scouting Fonte, but it is the Dutchman who has been most influential as his Portuguese partner recovers from the rigours of a title-winning campaign.
Signed as a replacement for Dejan Lovren, the ex-Celtic man proved his class against Manchester City at the Etihad where he was instrumental in keeping the home side to a single goal, earning his side a valuable point, putting in seven tackles, 10 clearances and three blocks, earning him the Man of the Match.
Van Dijk says Jaap Stam is his idol. More performances of this nature and Stam’s old team among others are bound to take notice.
Laurent Koscielny
Following a Euro campaign in which Koscielny played every match with France only to fall short at the last hurdle. The 31-year-old Frenchman had one of the earliest returns from this summer’s tournament, only missing the Gunners’ 3-4 opening day loss to Liverpool, playing in all of their other 10 matches so far.
Having played with all types of partners from Sebastian Squillaci to Calum Chambers, the Frenchman finally seems to have found the ideal partner in Shkodran Mustafi, one who Koscielny just pips to make it to this list.
The Gunners have only conceded seven in the league when “Kos the Boss” plays, maintaining four clean sheets with the Arsenal vice-captain on the pitch.
Boasting a 87 percent pass completion rate, the ex-Lorient man has also contributed at the other end of the pitch, pitching in with two goals, including a last-gasp winner against Burnley at Turf Moor, gaining two points which may prove crucial to Arsenal in a tight title-race.
Michael Keane
Burnley might be in ninth place, but they owe it majorly to Ben Mee, Tom Heaton and Michael Keane to keep the goals out. Tom Heaton has faced a league high 60 shots but conceded only 15 goals from them.
Coming into this season, Keane may not have had fond memories, getting relegated in his season with the Clarets. The 23-year old promptly started 44 of 46 Championship games last season, helping Burnley gain promotion at their first attempt.
Keane is the last one of our five to have been ever-present in this campaign, having racked up impressive statistics along the way. The ex-Manchester United man leads the league in shots blocked (21) and is second only to Vertonghen on the clearances list (9.7).
Impressively enough, he reserved his best for his old employers, winning 8 aerial duels, 5 interceptions, 9 clearances and blocking 6 shots in a splendid rearguard performance to gain a potentially invaluable point at Old Trafford.
Marcos Alonso
Regular viewers of the Premier League may remember Marcos Alonso from his Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland, having made 26 appearances for the two clubs across three seasons.
The 25-year old ex-Real Madrid youth product really burst into life at Fiorentina, clocking up three goals and four assists in his 31 appearances for La Viola last season, earning himself a move to Chelsea.
Alonso did not start for the Londonders initially as Branislav Ivanovic was ahead of the Spaniard in Antonio Conte’s teamsheet. But the Serbian’s regression and Conte’s use of the 3-5-2 has meant that Alonso has become the preferred left wing-back, making seven appearances, earning a clean sheet in five of those.
The Spaniard loves to bomb forward at will and has a goal and an assist to his name. He is also the highest rated defender in the league and ranks only behind Philippe Coutinho, teammate Eden Hazard and Roberto Firmino in the overall list.
It might still be early days for Alonso at Stamford Bridge but if indicators are anything to go by, Chelsea have made one of the signings of the season.
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