Ranked! The 10 best centre-backs in the world

Please note: Player slides taken from our overall list ofthe FFT10010. Thiago Silva (PSG)Silva isn’t the most popular of PSG’s players, but then few of those who aren’t called ‘Neymar’, ‘Kylian’ or ‘Edinson’ get to enjoy such adulation in France’s capital. He’s also not the player who was so imperious in his pomp at Milan and early days at PSG, but the Brazilian stopper is now in his sixth season with the French giants and still a vital player for Unai Emery at the age of 33.The skipper was excellent as PSG trampled their way through the Champions League group stage this season, and has a fierce desire to become the first captain to guide his club to winning Europe’s premier trophy. His experience will be vital if they're to do so.9. Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)Tottenham have two of the world’s finest centre-backs marshalling their defence when fit, but it was Vertonghen who first began laying the foundations to helpSpurs become the defensive force they aretoday.Since signing from Ajax for a bargain £12m in 2012, the Belgian has grown into his role as a leader for Mauricio Pochettino and has always impressed with his intelligence, distribution and overall class. Many moves start with him.As just reward for his continued excellence, Vertonghen became Belgium’s all-time cap holder in October 2017 against Cyprus.8. Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)Lucky Pochettino, who in Alderweireld has another outstanding defender at his disposal. When it comes to the ex-Atletico Madrid enforcer, it’s easy to measure his value by his absence: in late 2017, a hamstring injury kept him out of action and Spurs’ defence simply wasn’t the same without him.Alderweireld has a wonderful skill set for a central defender; he’s probably the Premier League’s best long-range passer, always looks comfortable in possession and commands his box brilliantly. The complete package. 7. Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)Godin’s golden years are almost certainly behind him now, consigned to that glorious early period of Atletico Madrid history under Diego Simeone, but the 31-year-old remains a mainstay at the Wanda Metropolitano.The Uruguayan has typified his club under Simeone: tough, gritty, dependable and someone who opposition players do not enjoy going up against. His declining pace as part of an ageing back four isn’t ideal, but Atleti haven’t had chance to reinforce amid a transfer ban – and besides, they’re in no great rush to either.Simeone still trusts his old guard when times are tough, and his players don’t come much tougher than Godin. 6. Leonardo Bonucci (Milan)A fall from grace for the Italian stopper bigged up as a contender for being the world’s best central defender this time last year. But 2017 was strange for Bonucci: after celebrating a sixth Serie A title with Juventus in May and then playing in another Champions League final, he jumped ship to rivals Milan.But the 30-year-old’s shock move hasn’t worked out so far. And perhaps unsurprisingly too – Milan finished sixth last season, which was their best since 2013. Bonucci’s transfer coincided with another hopeless downturn in form, and his own has suffered with it.In all likelihood, however, this is just a blip rather than anything to worry about when it comes to a player who Pep Guardiola confessed to being “his favourite” under a year ago. Quite the endorsement.5. Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich)In a turbulent year by Bayern standards, Hummels managed to remain a calming constant alongside an array of defensive partners including Niklas Sule, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez.The 29-year-old is invariably reliable in the Bundesliga, and his absence through an ankle injury was felt in Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Real Madrid which helped nudge the balance in the Spaniards’ favour. He was rushed back for the second leg prematurely, which only goes to show how important he is for the Bavarians.Hummels’ standing at international level has grown, too: in Manuel Neuer’s continued absence he was made captainfor the first time against England in November 2017.4. Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)The vastly improved Koulibaly is one of the biggest factors behind Napoli’s assault on the Serie A title in 2017/18; a robust man-marker who opposing forwards rarely get the better of, but also a defender who boasts fine passing ability to go with it.Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have each been linked in recent windows, but the loyal Senegalese stopper has so far rebuffed all interest to remain with the Partenopei as they go about trying to win the title for the first time since 1990. According to Koulibaly’s agent, the entire squad made a pact to stick together to do so.The 26-year-old ex-Genk player has helped his team keep the best defensive record in Serie A this season, and will be hot property if he keeps up his current rate of progress.3. Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)Up until November 2017, Azpilicueta had played every single minute of Premier League football possible under Antonio Conte. The Spaniard was finally rested for a slender win over Swansea, but you got the feeling it was a break neither man really wanted. Sure enough, since returning Azpilicueta has been ever-present once more. Simply, the 28-year-old is a player every manager in the world would want to have; a versatile, Swiss Army knife of a defender who has seamlessly transferred to a central defensive post, having spent most of his Blues career already playing out of position at left-back. Never has he complained, and rarely has he been anything but reliable.Azpilicueta is so good now that it feels almost impossible for anyone to argue against him being the Premier League’s best defender. And yet the universally popular Spaniard still offers plenty in attack, having assisted six of Alvaro Morata’s goals this season. Is there anything he can’t do?2. Gerard Pique (Barcelona)The big reason why Azpilicueta has a criminally low number of caps for Spain (just 20). Pique’s defending remained at a high standard over the course of 2017, even when his team weren’t always at their best, and he has continued that form into the current season as Barça have stormed to a huge lead in La Liga.The 30-year-old is a Marmite-like footballer in Spain; loathed by many but loved in equal measure by those who appreciate his headstrong, never-say-die attitude and outspoken ways. So many Barcelona attacks still begin at his feet, and the 30-year-old has matured with age defensively too; no longer is he quite so rash. On his day, Pique is a Rolls-Royce of a defender.1. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)Ramos is full of surprises. Over the years he’s built a bullet-proof reputation as MrReal Madrid; the embodiment of his trophy-lusting club, with a relentless desire to win by any means necessary.But there’s much more to Spain’s most-capped outfielder than just blood, guts and grit (even if he did break the Liga record for red cards in November). In a 2016/17 season when Real Madrid won the Champions League and La Liga, Ramos also chipped in with eight goals – many of them crucial, and last minute (in the Clasico, for example). Overall, the 31-year-old has netted 69 times in his 544 appearances for Madrid – an astonishing tally for a centre-back. Zinedine Zidane would prefer no one else at the heart of his backline. Ramos is a commanding personality; unashamedly physical; often cynical if required,but as one package Madrid’s fearless leader. Rolled together it gives him an edge over opponentswho despise going toe-to-toe with him.Get the full list:FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017