The players at the back who influence their side’s success.
The Premier League season has been all about defenders this season as the players at the back are ensuring games are relatively low scoring.
Here are the five best defenders in the division from fanatix.
Leighton Baines – Everton
It’s been another superb season for the Englishman this term as Baines provides creativity and goals from the left side despite being a full-back.
The 28-year-old’s brace at Upton Park won the game against West Ham United and the Toffees did extremely well to hold onto their best player when Manchester United were in pursuit.
Branislav Ivanovic – Chelsea
Ivanovic is the epitome of consistency for the Blues, with the Serb probably being one of the first names manager Jose Mourinho thinks of when picking the team.
The defender has converted from a centre-back to a right-back and has worked on pushing forward more to be one of the best all-round players at the back in the league.
Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
Many would argue that the Citizens captain is the best defender in England, as the side noticeably improved when Kompany returned.
A 3-2 loss to Aston Villa at the weekend left little to be desired however, but the skipper is part of a core in the City team that will help build the foundation for success.
Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham Hotspur
The second Belgian on the list along with Kompany as the nation enjoys a great spell of success and top-class players currently.
Vertonghen’s first season in England in 2012/13 saw the centre-back named in the PFA’s Team of the Year and Spurs’ solid defensive record of late is largely down to the 26-year-old.
Pablo Zabaleta – Manchester City
Another who made it into last year’s PFA Team of the Year and the right-back is well on the way to making it two seasons running with another good showing so far.
Against the champions Zabaleta was in dominant form and alongside Kompany, forms the basis of a truly world-class defence.
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