2024-25 Best Premier League Defenders - Top 10
- Think Football Ideas
- Nov 9, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 7
The Premier League is home to a plethora of world-class defensive talent, with each club boasting some of the finest centre-backs and full-backs in the game. With a mix of experience and emerging talents, the competition for the title of the league’s best defender is fierce.
As the 2024/25 season progresses, these 10 defenders have stood out for their commanding presence at the back, leadership qualities, and ability to influence games.
Below Are The 2024-25 Premier League's 10 Best Defenders
1. Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk wrapped up a resurgent season as captain of Liverpool, helping guide the club to their second Premier League title in five years, this time under new manager Arne Slot. The Dutch defender remained a towering presence at the back, contributing 3 headed goals and maintaining a 53% tackle success rate.
His leadership and aerial dominance were key to Liverpool’s strong defensive record, and he proved once again why he’s considered one of the game's premier centre-backs. Van Dijk’s experience and composure were instrumental in a season of transition for the Anfield Reds.
2. William Saliba
William Saliba capped off another outstanding season at Arsenal, firmly establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s elite defenders.
With a tackle success rate of 60%, his blend of calmness under pressure, elite positioning, and excellent reading of the game makes him central to Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup.
He averaged 72.77 passes per match, underscoring his role in Arsenal's build-up play. Saliba also chipped in with 2 goals.
While he had a few lapses across the campaign, his consistency and maturity were critical for the Gunners, who ended the campaign in second spot. His performances have elevated him into the conversation among Europe's best young centre-backs.
3. Ibrahima Konaté – Liverpool
In a season where Liverpool reclaimed Premier League glory under Arne Slot, Ibrahima Konaté emerged as one of the league’s most dominant centre-backs.
Claiming his first league title, the French defender was a physical force at the heart of the Reds’ back line, forming a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
Konaté’s blend of speed, strength, and aerial dominance made him nearly impossible to beat. With 31 appearances, 134 duels won, a 65% tackle success rate, and just three losses when he featured, his impact was undeniable in Liverpool’s championship-winning campaign.
4. Gabriel Magalhães
Gabriel Magalhães’ 2024/25 campaign was disrupted by injury, limiting him to just 28 appearances, a noticeable drop from his usual ever-present status. Despite these setbacks, the Brazilian centre-back remained an influential figure when fit. He contributed 3 goals, all headers, showcasing his aerial threat during set-pieces.
Gabriel played a vital role in 16 of Arsenal’s victories while only being part of 3 losses. Defensively, he maintained a solid tackle success rate of 60% and averaged 58.14 passes per match, underlining his importance in Arsenal’s build-up play.
His physicality, aerial dominance, and growing composure on the ball continued to shine through, and although Arsenal’s defensive rhythm was clearly affected in his absence, his partnership with William Saliba remained the bedrock of Mikel Arteta’s backline when available. These 11 Gabriel Magalhaes bio facts provide more about the Brazilian centre-back.
5. Murillo – Nottingham Forest
Murillo enjoyed a breakout campaign as the anchor of Nottingham Forest’s defence in their best Premier League season since promotion. With 36 appearances, 68% tackle success, two goals, and three goal-line clearances, he showed both elegance on the ball and a warrior's heart in the trenches.
His timing, physicality, and calm under pressure made him indispensable, and at just 21, he’s already playing like a seasoned pro. A true standout in Forest’s resurgence.
6. Dan Burn (Newcastle United)
A commanding figure at the heart of Newcastle United’s defence, Dan Burn was instrumental in a landmark campaign for the Magpies. As the anchor of a resolute backline, he helped steer the club to a coveted Champions League qualification and their first major trophy in over 50 years, the Carabao Cup, clinched with a memorable victory over Liverpool at Wembley.
Burn blended physicality with leadership, chipping in with 6 goals (4 of them headers) and numerous decisive defensive contributions. His relentless work ethic, aerial prowess, and often-overlooked composure made him a vital pillar in Newcastle’s remarkable campaign under Eddie Howe.
7. Dean Huijsen
A revelation in the 2024-25 Premier League season, Dean Huijsen quickly became a pillar of Bournemouth’s defence under Andoni Iraola before earning a move to Real Madrid. His 72% tackle success rate across 32 appearances underlined his composure and timing, while his attacking threat, three-headed goals and two assists added another dimension to his game.
He was calm under pressure and mature beyond his years. Before his surprise move to Los Blancos, Huijsen proved he was not just a future star, but already one of the most complete young defenders in world football.
8. Marc Guehi
Marc Guéhi once again proved his value as the backbone of Crystal Palace’s defence. With 34 appearances, 3 goals, and a quiet consistency, he held the line through both stable and turbulent phases of the season.
His leadership helped steady the ship, and while his 56% tackle success rate might not leap off the page, his positional awareness and ability to read the game made a significant difference. Adding his versatility in scoring with both feet, you have a centre-back who blends intelligence, discipline, and technical quality.
9. Micky van de Ven
The 23-year-old Dutch defender has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s rising stars. Van de Ven is one of the fastest players in the Premier League.
His pace and recovery ability allow Tottenham to push a high defensive line, and his raw talent and maturity have made him a key player for Spurs this season. You can get an insight into the man behind the jersey in these 11 amazing facts about Micky van de Ven from childhood in the Netherlands.
10. James Tarkowski
James Tarkowski quietly cemented his place among the league's top centre-backs in the 2024–25 season with a consistently commanding presence at the heart of Everton's back-line.
Featuring in 33 matches, Tarkowski contributed a goal while helping his side to 8 wins. His defensive reliability was underlined by a solid 63% tackle success rate and a dominant aerial presence, winning 103 aerial duels, nearly three times more than he lost.
Remarkably disciplined, he picked up only 6 yellow cards across the campaign. While the team’s results were mixed, Tarkowski’s individual performances stood out as a model of consistency, strength, and leadership at the back.
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