<body><div><p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=19EWwB_0vKwzrhO00" style="display:none" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=19EWwB_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ></p><p><strong> The Premier League is home to some of the very best defenders in world football. </strong></p><p> From Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, to Arsenal's main man William Saliba, to Man City's Ruben Dias and John Stones, the league is cluttered with genuinely brilliant defenders. </p><p> But who do we think will be the best of the bunch during the 2024/25 season? </p><p> Well, as part of our <a href="https://www.90min.com/features/premier-league-predictions-top-90-players-of-2024-25-season-ranked" rel="nofollow"> Top 90 </a> series, that's what we're here to find out. </p><p> Here's our top 20 defenders in the Premier League - ranked. </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.90min.com/features/premier-league-predictions-top-90-players-of-2024-25-season-ranked" rel="nofollow"><strong> READ MORE - Top 90 players of 2024/25 season - ranked </strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.90min.com/features/premier-league-predictions-10-best-goalkeepers-of-2024-25-season-ranked" rel="nofollow"><strong> READ MORE - Top 10 goalkeepers of 2024/25 season - ranked </strong></a></li></ul><hr><h2> 20. Gabriel Magalhaes </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2HQaAq_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HQaAq_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Saliba's partner | Visionhaus/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> After starting the 2023/24 season rather unsure of his place in the Arsenal lineup, Gabriel Magalhaes forced himself into the forefront of Mikel Arteta's plans consistently impressive performances throughout the campaign. <br><br> Now, at the start of 2024/25, Gabriel is one of Arteta's most trusted squad members and will play a huge part in the Gunners' inevitable title challenge. </p><hr><h2> 19. Noussair Mazraoui </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3zDdZ4_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3zDdZ4_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>New signing | Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Signed as a replacement for Aaron Wan Bissaka at right-back, it's been easy to see why Erik ten Hag wanted Noussair Mazraoui in the summer window. <br><br> Unlike Wan Bissaka, Mazraoui is able to provide some genuine quality in the final third. <br><br> He can also defend his flank pretty well too. <br><br> £17.2m could end up looking like a bargain for the Red Devils. </p><hr><h2> 18. Levi Colwill </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=27ekpE_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=27ekpE_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Young talent | Robin Jones/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> After a bit of a lost season due to injuries, Levi Colwill is back to full fitness and looks set to have the breakout campaign Chelsea fans have been waiting for. <br><br> The defender certainly has all the attributes needed to thrive in Enzo Maresca's possession-based tactical system. <br><br> He's great on the ball, positionally malleable, and adept at reading the game too. <br><br> This could be his year. </p><hr><h2> 17. Riccardo Calafiori </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=15srEI_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=15srEI_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Shrewd signing | BENJAMIN CREMEL/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Very few summer signings made as much sense as Arsenal's acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori. <br><br> The Euro 2024 will plug an explicit hole in the Gunners' defence as an inverted left-back who can not only drift infield and create on the ball, but actually defend too (something Oleksandr Zinchenko doesn't excell at). </p><hr><h2> 16. Josko Gvardiol </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Y2Ntl_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Y2Ntl_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Key player | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Without Josko Gvardiol's four goals at the end of the 2023/24 season, Manchester City may not be the current Premier League champions. <br><br> That's how important his contributions were last season. <br><br> And this season, we're expecting the left-back to be of similar importance to a Pep Guardiola side set to fight on all fronts. </p><hr><h2> 15. Murillo </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Y5wZv_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Y5wZv_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Sky's the limit | Michael Regan/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> The first 'big bold shout' of this list. <br><br> Murillo wasn't a player anyone was too familiar with heading into 2023/24 - he had played 27 pro games in his entire life after all - but by the end of the campaign, it was clear that Nottingham Forest had a serious talent. <br><br> From his last ditch challenges, to his multiple attempts to score from the halfway line, Murillo seems to have a bit of everything in his locker. <br><br> Don't be surprised to see one of the big six try and sign him next summer. </p><hr><h2> 14. Leny Yoro </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1TeQeM_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1TeQeM_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Young star | Visionhaus/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> When Real Madrid are hellbent on securing your services, chances are that you're quite good at football. <br><br> And that's exactly what Leny Yoro. <br><br> The youngster opted to join Man Utd instead during the summer, and it's a decision they are set to reap the benefits of for the next decade. <br><br> Although injured at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, when Yoro returns he'll become a key player for his new club. </p><hr><h2> 13. Cristian Romero </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ZBmKh_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ZBmKh_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>World Cup winner | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> He may be rash at times, he may have the odd brain fart, but on his day one can't deny that Cristian Romero is a genuinely brilliant centre-back. <br><br> If Tottenham are to find a route back into the UEFA Champions League this season, those days will need to a bit more frequent than they were in 2023/24, and we have faith that they will be. </p><hr><h2> 12. John Stones </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Pp61s_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Pp61s_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Top player when fit | Matt McNulty/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> If we could guarantee that John Stones will be fit for the full 2024/25 campaign, then chances are he'd be much nearer the top of this list than he is. <br><br> Thanks to his consistent injury woes though, we struggled to put him any higher than 12th on this list. <br><br> That's not to say he can't contribute this season, as when fit he most certainly will. He's a top, top player. </p><hr><h2> 11. Marc Guehi </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3w533B_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3w533B_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>England star | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Having cemented his place in the England starting lineup during Euro 2024, Marc Guehi heads into 2024/25 looking to cement his place among the best centre-backs in world football. <br><br> Considering his talent and the improvements manager Oliver Glasner has made to Crystal Palace, we're back him to do so. </p><hr><h2> 10. Ruben Dias </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4FrtOa_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4FrtOa_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>One of the best centre-backs around | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> After a period of surprise underperformance and lack of gametime, former FWA Footballer of the Year Ruben Dias looks to have re-found his mojo. <br><br> The defender was thoroughly impressive during City's title-winning campaign last time out, and will be key to their search for yet more silverware in 2024/25. </p><hr><h2> 9. Ben White </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Us8Mo_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Us8Mo_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>The right-back will be key for Arsenal | Visionhaus/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Ben White is one of those players that you should have in your Fantasy Premier League team this season. <br><br> He'll start every game, he'll get you clean sheets, and he'll pop up with the odd goal contribution too thanks to his adeptness in the final third. <br><br> He's one of Arteta's most trusted players. </p><hr><h2> 8. Nathan Ake </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=10Kw0I_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=10Kw0I_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Reliable | Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> After seemingly being signed as a rotation option back in 2020, Nathan Ake has developed into one of Man City's most reliable defensive options in recent seasons. <br><br> Be it at centre-back, left-back, right-back or even midfield on occasion, Ake is a consistent performer for Pep Guardiola's side. </p><hr><h2> 7. Jarrad Branthwaite </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2uQCS8_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2uQCS8_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Currently injured | Marc Atkins/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Have you seen how bad Everton are when Jarrad Branthwaite isn't available? <br><br> They're bloody awful. <br><br> With him though, they looked extremely solid at the tailend of 2023/24. <br><br> Expect the Toffees to be much improved upon his return. </p><hr><h2> 6. Matthijs de Ligt </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=21ynd7_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=21ynd7_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Big signing | Michael Regan/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Matthijs de Ligt was once the most exciting defensive talent in world football. <br><br> After a mediocre spell at Juventus and a failed one at Bayern Munich however, he finds himself in a bit of a last chance saloon situation at Manchester United. <br><br> Luckily for the Dutch defender, Erik ten Hag - the man who previously got the best out of him at Ajax - is the current boss, so there's plenty of hope that De Ligt can rejuvenate his career at Old Trafford. </p><hr><h2> 5. Trent Alexander-Arnold </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3w8Hep_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3w8Hep_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Impressive as ever | Michael Regan/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Despite England's struggles to work out how to utilise Trent Alexander-Arnold, at club level the Scouser is rightfully considered to be the best right-back in the Premier League. <br><br> Alexander-Arnold has been impressive in the early weeks of the campaign, and we're fully expecting him to continue that form after the September international break. </p><hr><h2> 4. Lisandro Martinez </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0fzPcy_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0fzPcy_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Key for United | James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> When Lisandro Martinez was out injured last season, Manchester United's defensive unit looked utterly hopeless. <br><br> When he returned to action for the FA Cup final, they were good enough to beat Manchester City. <br><br> Coincidence? Definitely not. <br><br> The Argentine is a gamechanger for the Red Devils, and his availabilty will largely dictate how the club perform in the Premier League in 2024/25. </p><hr><h2> 3. Micky van de Ven </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0J8b0T_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0J8b0T_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Speedster | David Rogers/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> Micky van de Ven may be the fastest man on the planet. <br><br> It's that recovery pace which makes him one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and allows Tottenham to play an outrageously high defensive line. </p><hr><h2> 2. Virgil van Dijk </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1NFYPE_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1NFYPE_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>World class | Michael Regan/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> After three weeks of the 2024/25 Premier League season, a Virgil van Dijk-led defence has conceded zero goals. <br><br> That tells you all you really need to know about the sort of form the veteran defender is in this season. <br><br> He's an all-time great. </p><hr><h2> 1. William Saliba </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0JUAku_0vKwzrhO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0JUAku_0vKwzrhO00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Different class | BENJAMIN CREMEL/GettyImages </figcaption></figure><p> From an all-time great, to a future all-time great. <br><br> In the past two years, William Saliba has developed into the best defender in the Premier League, and this year we're backing him to take his game to another level altogether. <br><br> The France international will be key to Arsenal's title hopes this season. </p><hr><h3> READ THE LATEST FEATURES AND ANALYSIS FROM 90MIN </h3><hr><br><p> This article was originally published on 90min.com as <a href="https://www.90min.com/features/premier-league-predictions-20-best-defenders-2024-25-season-ranked?utm_source=RSS" rel="nofollow"> Premier League predictions: 20 best defenders of 2024/25 season - ranked </a> . </p></div></body>

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Premier League predictions: 20 best defenders of 2024/25 season - ranked

Predicting the top 20 defenders in the Premier League during the 2024/25 season.

Premier League predictions: 20 best defenders of 2024/25 season - ranked

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