The ultimate list of the best players in the most important position on the pitch.
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10) Andrea Barzagli
Juventus’ disappointing recent performances in the Champions League mean that the Italian is underrated around Europe. His partnership with Giorgio Chiellini is the rock upon which the Juventus team has been built in recent seasons, as it has dominated Serie A and racked up titles. Since arriving from Wolfsburg, the powerful centre-back has been outstanding for the Old Lady.
9) Vincent Kompany
On a good day, Vincent Kompany would top this list with ease. Unfortunately, the occasional slip pushes him down to 9th. His occasional rash red card aside, Kompany is a brilliant centre-back, a superb organiser and leader of men. He has lead City to two Premier League titles, and desperately wants to lead them to Champions League glory.
8) Mats Hummels
The handsome Dortmund defender oozes class. Technically superb and positionally solid, he was the key to Dortmund’s double title wins in 2011 and 2012. The former Bayern Munich youngster has had the opportunity to move to any club in the world, and may yet do so, but for now he has elected to stay at the club where he is a hero. It’s no surprise Man United want him so badly. 
7) Mehdi Benatia
There’s probably no greater compliment for a centre-back than to be bought for big money by Pep Guardiola, whose would rather play a striker in defence than a player who isn’t technically up to scratch. Benatia is more than just good feet however, he reads the play well and has great “game intelligence”, knowing when to push up and when to drop deep.
6) Rafael Varane
Actually there might be one compliment better than being bought by Pep Guardiola – being bought by Zinedine Zidane. The French maestro insisted that his employers Real Madrid bought Varane, who is fast, strong and technically superb. Varane is only 21, and at the rate he is developing will likely be the world’s best centre-back by 25.
5) Sergio Ramos
Athletically superb, the former Seville player is flexible enough to play at right back, although it’s at centre-back that he really excels. Ramos is dominant at set-pieces and enormously experienced – he’s been a Madrid regular since the age of 19. While he’s prone to the occasional stupid red card, it’s a worthwhile price to pay for the aggression that makes Ramos so dominant.
4) Miranda
The most astonishing thing about Miranda is that he only moved to Europe in 2011, at the age of 27. The fact that no European clubs moved for him earlier (apart from a short spell at Sochaux as a youngster) is amazing considering he was in the Brazilian league “team of the year” in 2007, 2008, 2009 AND 2010. The Atletico Madrid centre-back has everything, and has been the best centre-back in the world over the last 12 months.
3) John Terry
Criminally underrated because of his personality, the Englishman may well be the only defender who has turned a lack of pace into an advantage. While he was half of one of the most dominant centre-back partnerships in Europe alongside Ricardo Carvalho, people would regularly attribute their success to the Portuguese, who apparently “carried” Terry. The years since Carvalho’s departure have shown that to be rubbish, and Terry’s perfect positioning, two footed passing and famed leadership abilities have kept Chelsea solid for almost 15 years.
2) Georgio Chiellini
The man who Walter Mazzari once called “a force of nature” leaves nothing on the pitch, even when he’s getting chewed on by Luis Suarez. Outstanding for Italy and Juventus, Chillini’s natural defensive instinct’s allow him to play anywhere along the backline, in back fours or back threes. Only an Italian could have such exceptional defensive abilities.
1) Thiago Silva
It’s almost a shame that Silva plays in France, where his prodigious abilities are barely tested most weeks. Learning his trade at AC Milan, the home of great defenders, the Brazil captain is perhaps the most well rounded centre-back to ever play the game, able to do everything well, without a single significant weakness. Silva is 30, but has the quality to play at the top level for many more years.