Introduction
In the fast-paced world of the Premier League, defending is just as crucial as scoring. While forwards grab the headlines, it’s the centre-backs who form the backbone of a team, combining strength, intelligence, and technical skill to keep their sides competitive and in the hunt for titles.
After 22 games in the 2025–26 EPL season, we’ve analyzed the performance of the league’s top central defenders across key metrics, including tackles, interceptions, aerial duels, clearances, passing, and even offensive contributions, which have become somewhat important in recent days.
This detailed ranking highlights the Premier League’s most influential defenders, with Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) leading the way as the benchmark for excellence. Following him are world-class talents like Rúben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), and Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), all of whom combine defensive solidity with the ability to influence play from the back.
Our full ranking also features rising stars and seasoned performers, from Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) to Harry Maguire (Manchester United), offering a complete view of who’s shaping the defensive landscape in England’s top flight.
Here are the stats that support this ranking.
Minutes Played
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1,980
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 1,980
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 1,841
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 1,830
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 1,800
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 1,876
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 1,706
Michael Keane (Everton) – 1,676
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 1,444
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 1,356
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 1,302
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 1,091
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 638
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 435
Minutes played highlight both durability and trust from managers, showing which centre-backs are relied upon week in, week out.
Virgil van Dijk and James Tarkowski lead the league, each clocking 1,980 minutes, demonstrating their importance as defensive anchors and reliability.
Joachim Andersen, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Guéhi have also played significant minutes, also showing their consistency and resilience in a highly demanding Premier League campaign.
Lower figures for Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven indicate limited involvement due to rotation, injuries, or managerial or tactical choices, but even in fewer minutes, their contributions in defensive duels and positional organization remain valuable.
It becomes clear that Amorim may have favoured one option over the other, while Michael Carrick opted for experience by starting Harry Maguire in his first competitive match in charge — the Manchester derby.
Overall, playing time correlates strongly with defensive impact, with the most trusted centre-backs shaping their teams’ stability and results over the course of the season.
Goals
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 3 goals
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 3 goals
Michael Keane (Everton) – 3 goals
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 2 goals
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 2 goals
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 2 goals
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 1 goal
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 0 goals
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 0 goals
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 0 goals
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 0 goals
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 0 goals
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 0 goals
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 0 goals
Centre-backs are rarely judged by goals, but in the Premier League, set-piece threat and goal contribution from central defenders has become decisive in tight title races and relegation battles.
After 22 games, a clear hierarchy has emerged among the league’s most productive goal-scoring centre-backs.
At the top of the list, Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), and Michael Keane (Everton) lead all central defenders with 3 Premier League goals each. This may underline their aerial dominance, superior attacking positioning, and importance during corners and free-kicks.
Close behind are Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), and Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace, now at Manchester City), all on 2 goals.
This indicates they are modern ball-playing centre-backs that can still make decisive contributions in the opposition box while maintaining defensive discipline.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) follows with 1 goal, an impressive return considering he has played fewer than 500 minutes so far this season, highlighting his efficiency and continued goal threat – something that has come as a surprise to many in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, William Saliba (Arsenal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Joachim Andersen (Fulham), James Tarkowski (Everton), Fabian Schär (Newcastle United), and Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) are yet to register a league goal after 22 matches.
Conversion Rate (%)
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 40%
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 33.33%
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 27.27%
Michael Keane (Everton) – 27.27%
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 20%
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 20%
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 16.67%
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 0%
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 0%
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 0%
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 0%
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 0%
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 0%
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 0%
Conversion rate measures how efficiently a defender turns opportunities into goals. Rúben Dias leads the chart with 40%.
Gabriel Magalhães (33.33%) and Trevoh Chalobah (27.27%) also demonstrate excellent efficiency, showing they can also make something out of limited scoring chances.
Defenders like Michael Keane and Marc Guéhi convert sparingly but effectively.
Many top centre-backs, including Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, and Ibrahima Konaté, have a 0% conversion rate, which can happen for defenders whose primary focus is positional discipline and defensive contribution rather than goal-scoring.
This metric highlights that for elite Premier League centre-backs, goal efficiency is a bonus, with defensive intelligence, aerial dominance, and tackling remaining the core measures of impact.
Assists
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 2 assists
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 2 assists
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 2 assists
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 1 assist
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 1 assist
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 1 assist
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 0 assists
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 0 assists
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 0 assists
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 0 assists
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 0 assists
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 0 assists
Michael Keane (Everton) – 0 assists
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 0 assists
Assists are also not a primary metric for central defenders, but in the modern Premier League, ball-playing centre-backs and progressive defenders are increasingly contributing in the final third.
After 22 games, Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), and Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) lead this group with two assists each.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United), James Tarkowski (Everton), and Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) follow with one assist apiece. This stat shows how such traditionally defensive profiles can influence attacking phases through knock-downs, flick-ons, and line-breaking passes.
The remaining centre-backs are yet to register an assist.
Chances created
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 13
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 9
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 7
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 5
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 4
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 4
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 4
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 3
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 3
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 3
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 2
Michael Keane (Everton) – 1
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 1
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 0
Chances created by centre-backs also reflect their ability to contribute to attacking play, support transitions, and generate goal-scoring opportunities, especially from set-pieces or progressive passes.
James Tarkowski leads the list with 13 chances created, which can indicate that he possesses remarkable vision and effectiveness in both open play and dead-ball situations.
Marc Guéhi (9) and Virgil van Dijk (7) also demonstrate the modern centre-back’s capacity to influence the game offensively without compromising their defensive responsibilities.
Players like Ibrahima Konaté, Joško Gvardiol, and Joachim Andersen sit in the mid-range.
Lower numbers for Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, and Michael Keane reflect a more conservative approach, which may indicate a greater focus on positional discipline, interceptions, and aerial control.
This metric shows that the best Premier League centre-backs may be increasingly multi-dimensional, balancing defensive duties with the ability to spark chances and support their team in the final third.
Shot Accuracy (%)
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 100%
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 75%
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 50%
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 50.0%
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 38.5%
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 31.2%
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 28.6%
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 25.0%
Michael Keane (Everton) – 25.0%
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 23.5%
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 21.4%
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 20%
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 0%
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 0%
Shot accuracy is a secondary but revealing metric for central defenders, often highlighting efficiency rather than volume.
It highlights a defender who chooses his shooting moments intelligently, only attempting efforts when there is a genuine chance of scoring, rather than relying on hopeful or speculative shots.
It also shows that a defender can be able to get into goal-scoring positions when needed.
After 22 Premier League games, Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace, now at Manchester City) leads the list with a perfect 100% shot accuracy. It is probably the reason why several clubs were interested in signing him before Manchester City won the race for his signature in January 2026.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) follows with an impressive 75%.
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) and James Tarkowski (Everton) both record 50% shot accuracy.
Trevoh Chalobah and Joško Gvardiol sit in the mid-range, while players like Ibrahima Konaté, Joachim Andersen, and Michael Keane remain selective shooters rather than frequent attackers.
At the lower end, Gabriel Magalhães and Harry Maguire post modest accuracy figures, often taking shots in crowded penalty areas where conversion is more difficult.
William Saliba and Ayden Heaven register 0% shot accuracy.
Overall, the data reinforces that for elite Premier League centre-backs, shot accuracy is a bonus metric. But no doubt defensive reliability, positioning, and build-up play remain the primary measures of excellence.
Fouls from Tackle Attempts
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 10
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 8
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 8
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 7
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 6
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 4
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 4
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 4
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 3
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 3
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 3
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 3
Michael Keane (Everton) – 3
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 2
Fouls from tackle attempts reveal how often a centre-back’s aggression in challenges results in fouls, balancing defensive assertiveness with discipline.
Joachim Andersen leads with 10 fouls, reflecting his highly combative style, while Marc Guéhi and James Tarkowski follow closely, showing strong engagement in duels but occasional over-commitment.
Mid-range defenders like Joško Gvardiol and Trevoh Chalobah combine assertive tackling with intelligent decision-making, minimizing risky challenges.
Elite defenders such as Virgil van Dijk, Rúben Dias, and William Saliba maintain very few fouls from tackles. This shows they may have perfect timing, anticipation, and composure, which are hallmarks of top-tier Premier League centre-backs.
This metric highlights that successful centre-backs strike a balance—being aggressive enough to stop attackers while avoiding unnecessary fouls that could grant opponents freekicks in dangerous areas.
Red Cards
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 1
Michael Keane (Everton) – 1
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 0
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 0
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 0
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 0
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 0
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 0
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 0
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 0
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 0
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 0
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 0
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 0
Discipline is a crucial aspect of elite defending, and red cards can significantly impact both a team’s defensive stability and match outcomes.
After 22 Premier League games, only Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) and Michael Keane (Everton) have received a red card.
Remaining defenders, including Virgil van Dijk, Rúben Dias, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhães, have managed to avoid expulsions. This shows their intelligent tackling, positional awareness, and ability to read the game effectively.
A low red card count not only keeps key players available for crucial matches but also shows a defender’s discipline and decision-making, which are essential qualities for teams aiming for titles or solid defensive records in the Premier League.
No doubt that, while aggression and physicality are important for central defenders, timing and restraint are equally critical to maintain consistency over a long, demanding season – you do not want to miss an important defender in key games of the season.
Fouls Committed
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 23
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 22
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 17
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 16
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 15
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 14
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 13
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 13
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 10
Michael Keane (Everton) – 10
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 8
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 8
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 6
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 4
Fouls committed by centre-backs reveal both their aggressiveness in defending and their approach to stopping opposition attacks.
Players like Joachim Andersen, Ibrahima Konaté, and James Tarkowski lead the chart.
Conversely, elite defenders such as Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel Magalhães, and Harry Maguire maintain a low foul count, demonstrating discipline, positional intelligence, and timing, which allows them to break up play without putting their team under unnecessary pressure.
Ayden Heaven stands out for committing the fewest fouls, showing exceptional restraint and clean defensive execution. Its a bit mind-boggling that he is among the two defenders in this list to get a red card.
Fouls Drawn
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 23
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 18
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 18
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 16
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 15
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 10
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 9
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 8
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 7
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 7
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 11
Michael Keane (Everton) – 5
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 5
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 1
Fouls drawn by centre-backs offer insight into their ability to win free-kicks, create space, and contribute offensively. It also shows that a defender is quite a bother to the opponent whenever he has the ball.
Ibrahima Konaté leads the Premier League defenders in this category with 23 fouls drawn.
Marc Guéhi and James Tarkowski also stand out, with 18 fouls drawn each.
Gabriel Magalhães and Trevoh Chalobah are similarly effective, reflecting their dual threat as defenders who can contribute in attack.
At the lower end, Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven draw few fouls, which may indicate a more conservative approach or less involvement in offensive duels.
As the stats show, some of the league’s top centre-backs are not only defensively solid but also actively influence play by creating opportunities and pressuring opponents.
Crosses
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 10
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 8
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 6
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 6
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 5
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 5
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 4
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 4
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 3
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 2
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 1
Michael Keane (Everton) – 1
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 1
Crosses from central defenders reflect their ability to influence wide areas, support attacking play, and contribute to set-piece situations.
Marc Guéhi leads with 10 crosses, demonstrating his willingness to push forward and supply dangerous balls into the box.
Joachim Andersen follows closely with 8 crosses. This shows Fulham relies on his distribution to create attacking opportunities.
William Saliba and James Tarkowski also contribute actively with 6 crosses each, combining defensive solidity with offensive support.
Other defenders, like Virgil van Dijk, Harry Maguire, and Michael Keane, have registered fewer crosses, which may indicate greater focus on positional discipline and controlling the backline rather than venturing forward or to wide areas.
This data highlights that modern Premier League centre-backs are not just defenders; their ability to deliver accurate crosses can add an extra dimension to a team’s attack, particularly during corners and wide play.
Passing Accuracy (%)
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 93.54%
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 93.14%
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 90.53%
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 91.77%
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 89.99%
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 89.67%
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 89.48%
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 89.43%
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 85.98%
Michael Keane (Everton) – 85.55%
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 85.34%
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 84.42%
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 82.16%
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 80.17%
Passing accuracy is a crucial metric for modern centre-backs – it shows a defender’s reliability under pressure and the ability to build play from the back.
William Saliba and Rúben Dias lead the way, each completing over 93% of their passes. It can indicate their higher level of composure, vision, and precise distribution.
Ayden Heaven and Trevoh Chalobah also demonstrate elite passing efficiency, showing they can have greater influence in advancing play safely.
Defenders like Virgil van Dijk, Joško Gvardiol, and Gabriel Magalhães maintain high accuracy while balancing defensive duties with progressive passing, highlighting the dual role of modern centre-backs as both protectors and play initiators.
Players at the lower end, including Harry Maguire and James Tarkowski, still provide solid contributions but may be more focused on longer passes or defensive clearances, which slightly affects their percentage.
Overall, high passing accuracy underlines the technical intelligence and decision-making that separate top-tier Premier League centre-backs from the rest.
Long Pass Accuracy (%)
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 57.89%
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 51.63%
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 51.61%
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 49.35%
Michael Keane (Everton) – 48.05%
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 47.24%
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 47.06%
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 46.59%
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 46.10%
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 40.0%
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 39.37%
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 39.36%
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 41.22%
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 28.0%
Long pass accuracy highlights a centre-back’s ability to switch play, find teammates in advanced positions, and launch counter-attacks. It becomes especially valuable when a team is under sustained pressure, allowing defenders to bypass the press and relieve danger from the back.
Ayden Heaven tops the chart with 57.89%, showcasing precision in distributing the ball over distance. This is a remarkable score for a player of his age.
Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, both completing over 51% of their long passes, demonstrate how elite defenders combine defensive solidity with creative distribution from the back.
Mid-range performers like Joško Gvardiol, Michael Keane, and Joachim Andersen balance progressive passing with defensive responsibilities, providing both control and attacking support.
At the lower end, Harry Maguire (28%) and Trevoh Chalobah (39.36%) are less prolific with long balls, often favoring short, safer passes or focusing on maintaining defensive shape.
This metric reinforces that modern Premier League centre-backs are as much playmakers as protectors, with long passing ability becoming a defining attribute of elite defensive performance.
Tackles won
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 19
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 19
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 18
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 17
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 15
Michael Keane (Everton) – 15
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 13
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 9
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 9
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 9
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 8
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 7
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 5
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 2
Tackles won are a core measure of a centre-back’s defensive effectiveness and shows timing, anticipation, which can be helpful when a team needs to disrupt opposition attacks.
Marc Guéhi and James Tarkowski top the list with 19 tackles each. Trevoh Chalobah and Ibrahima Konaté follow closely.
Players like Virgil van Dijk, Joško Gvardiol, and Fabian Schär maintain solid figures while balancing positional discipline and ball-playing responsibilities.
Lower figures for Harry Maguire and Rúben Dias show a more anticipatory and interception-focused defensive style. This shows that modern Premier League centre-backs can effectively combine tackling with intelligent positioning and game reading to help their teams.
Interceptions
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 24
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 24
Michael Keane (Everton) – 22
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 20
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 19
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 18
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 16
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 14
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 14
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 13
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 11
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 8
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 2
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 1
Interceptions are a key indicator of a centre-back’s reading of the game, anticipation, and ability to cut out opposition attacks.
Leading the way, Marc Guéhi and James Tarkowski have each recorded 24 interceptions. This shows the player’s remarkable awareness and positioning in breaking up plays.
Michael Keane follows closely with 22, which has evidently been important for Everton’s defensive resilience this season.
Trevoh Chalobah and Joachim Andersen also demonstrate strong interception stats.
Players like Virgil van Dijk, Rúben Dias, and Joško Gvardiol combine interceptions with calm ball progression and organizational skills.
Lower numbers for Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven suggest a focus on positional discipline and aerial duels rather than stepping into passing lanes.
Elite Premier League centre-backs excel not only in tackles but in predicting and preventing danger before it develops, one of the hallmarks of defensive intelligence.
Aerial Duel Success (%)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 77.08%
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 73.11%
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 70.07%
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 70.0%
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 66.67%
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 65.79%
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 65.43%
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 63.01%
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 62.96%
Michael Keane (Everton) – 62.5%
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 58.44%
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 56.52%
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 55.71%
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 54.65%
Aerial duel success is a vital metric for centre-backs, and can indicate dominance in defensive and attacking set-piece situations.
Virgil van Dijk leads the Premier League with 77.08% success. This shows his unmatched ability to win headers and control high balls.
Ibrahima Konaté follows closely at 73.11%, making Liverpool’s central pairing one of the most formidable in the air.
James Tarkowski and Joachim Andersen also excel, winning around 70% of aerial duels.
Players in the mid-range, such as Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi, and Harry Maguire, combine physicality with tactical positioning to maintain consistency.
Lower percentages, including Trevoh Chalobah and William Saliba, show a more ground-oriented or ball-playing defensive style.
This metric highlights that aerial ability remains a defining attribute for Premier League centre-backs, with top performers combining timing, physicality, and positional awareness to dominate both boxes.
Ground Duel Success (%)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 75.0%
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 72.73%
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 70.59%
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 64.86%
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 64.71%
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 65.17%
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 62.65%
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 62.5%
Michael Keane (Everton) – 57.45%
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 54.0%
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 51.28%
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 48.78%
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 45.45%
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 30.0%
Ground duel success reflects a centre-back’s ability to win one-on-one challenges, maintain possession, and disrupt opposition play.
Virgil van Dijk leads the Premier League with 75% success.
Gabriel Magalhães (72.73%) and Ayden Heaven (70.59%) also demonstrate exceptional strength and timing in ground battles.
Players like Trevoh Chalobah, William Saliba, and Ibrahima Konaté maintain solid percentages, combining agility and anticipation to win duels consistently.
Mid-range performers such as James Tarkowski, Marc Guéhi, and Michael Keane offer reliability while balancing positioning and interception responsibilities.
Lower figures for Rúben Dias and Harry Maguire suggest a more strategic approach, relying on reading the game and positioning rather than frequent direct challenges.
This metric emphasizes that elite Premier League centre-backs excel both in the air and on the ground, blending physicality, technique, and intelligence to dominate all aspects of defensive duels.
Clearances
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 162
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 162
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 157
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 129
Michael Keane (Everton) – 137
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 120
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 103
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 94
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 84
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 71
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 65
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 60
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 50
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 23
Clearances are a fundamental measure of a centre-back’s ability to neutralize danger and protect the goal, especially in high-pressure situations.
Virgil van Dijk and Joachim Andersen lead the league with 162 clearances each.
James Tarkowski and Michael Keane also show exceptional defensive presence, regularly clearing threats and maintaining team stability.
Players like Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guéhi, and Ibrahima Konaté contribute consistently, blending anticipation with physicality to win crucial duels.
Lower figures for Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven reflect fewer defensive interventions, likely due to tactical setups or team dominance limiting their need for clearances.
This metric highlights that in the Premier League, elite centre-backs combine awareness, timing, and physicality to keep their teams safe, making clearances a vital component of defensive excellence.
Blocked Shots
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 32
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 18
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 17
Michael Keane (Everton) – 17
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 15
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 12
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 12
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 11
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 10
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 10
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 9
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 6
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 4
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 2
Blocked shots are a key defensive metric, reflecting a centre-back’s ability to anticipate danger, position themselves effectively, and protect the goal.
James Tarkowski dominates this category with 32 blocked shots.
Gabriel Magalhães (18) and Ibrahima Konaté (17) also demonstrate strong defensive commitment and timing in crucial situations.
Players like Rúben Dias, Michael Keane, and Joachim Andersen maintain impressive numbers, balancing shot-blocking with interceptions, tackles, and clearances.
Lower figures for Harry Maguire and William Saliba suggest a defensive style more focused on positioning and aerial control rather than constant engagement in blocking shots.
This metric underlines that elite Premier League centre-backs not only prevent scoring opportunities through tackles and clearances but also actively intervene to block shots, providing a last line of defence for their teams.
Ball Recoveries
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 88
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 81
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 79
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 68
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 61
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 58
Michael Keane (Everton) – 55
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 49
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 48
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 51
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 22
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 30
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 43
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 18
Ball recoveries highlight a centre-back’s ability to regain possession, read the game, and disrupt opposition play.
Marc Guéhi leads the Premier League with 88 recoveries.
Trevoh Chalobah (81) and Joachim Andersen (79) follow closely, demonstrating they understand the importance of timely interventions and positioning.
Defenders like William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté, and Rúben Dias maintain strong recovery numbers, emphasizing their agility, reading of the game, and proactive defending.
Lower figures for Gabriel Magalhães, Harry Maguire, and Ayden Heaven suggest either a more positional style of defending or teams limiting their need for constant recovery actions.
This metric reinforces that elite centre-backs are not just about tackles and clearances—they excel in regaining possession to initiate counter-attacks and maintain team control, making ball recoveries a vital element of defensive performance in the Premier League.
Possession Lost
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 241
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 188
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 195
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 206
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 168
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 137
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 138
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 124
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 114
Michael Keane (Everton) – 117
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 104
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 99
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 39
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 37
Possession lost measures how often a centre-back loses the ball under pressure or during build-up play, reflecting both risk-taking and technical execution.
Joachim Andersen leads with 241 possessions lost. Marc Guéhi and Virgil van Dijk also have high numbers, reflecting their involvement in building play and stepping out of defensive lines.
Lower figures for Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven suggest a more conservative approach, focusing on safe passes and positional discipline.
Players like Trevoh Chalobah, Rúben Dias, and William Saliba strike a balance, contributing to possession while minimizing risk.
This metric shows that elite Premier League centre-backs are trusted not only to defend but also to maintain and progress possession, and a higher number of possessions lost can often indicate greater influence in the game’s build-up rather than weakness.
Times Tackled
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace) – 10
Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 7
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 6
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) – 5
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 4
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) – 3
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 3
James Tarkowski (Everton) – 3
Michael Keane (Everton) – 3
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – 2
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) – 2
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – 2
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – 1
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 1
The number of times a centre-back is tackled shows how often they are challenged while in possession, reflecting both their involvement in build-up play and how opponents perceive their threat.
Marc Guéhi leads with 10 times tackled.
Joško Gvardiol (7) and Trevoh Chalobah (6) also face frequent pressure.
Players like Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel Magalhães, tackled only once, suggest dominance and composure under pressure, rarely losing the ball due to their positional awareness and passing accuracy.
Mid-range performers, including Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba, and Rúben Dias, balance risk-taking with control, showing that modern centre-backs must manage possession while under pressure.
This metric underlines the dual role of elite Premier League centre-backs: defending first, while also being reliable in possession even when targeted by opposition pressing.
Conclusion
Defending in the Premier League is about more than just stopping goals—it’s about leadership, composure, and the ability to influence the game in every phase.
This ranking provides a comprehensive look at the league’s central defenders, with Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) firmly establishing himself as the standard-bearer for defensive excellence.
Following him, players like Rúben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), and Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) demonstrate that modern centre-backs are as technically proficient as they are physically dominant.
Midfield ball recoverers and aerial duel specialists such as Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace, now at Manchester City), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), and Michael Keane (Everton) continue to show their value, while James Tarkowski (Everton) and Joachim Andersen (Fulham) prove the importance of experience and positioning.
Even those with fewer minutes, like Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) and Harry Maguire (Manchester United), play a role in the evolving dynamics of the league’s defensive setups.
This ranking not only celebrates individual brilliance but also underscores the critical role centre-backs play in shaping the Premier League’s most successful teams. Whether it’s through ball recovery, aerial dominance, or building attacks from the back, these defenders define the standard of excellence in England’s top flight.
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