10 best centre-back in the world revealed: Arsenal’s William Saliba makes the cut, Virgil van Dijk drops to fourth
Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk’s 2022-23 campaign has not been a particularly successful one so far.
The Reds and their defensive talisman have been indisputable great over the past few years, and if not for Manchester City, they would have completely dominated the English game.
Liverpool appear a pale shadow of the team they once were under Jurgen Klopp’s shrewd management this season.
The 1-0 loss to relegation candidates Nottingham Forest on Saturday was the lowest point for the Merseyside club, which is currently eighth in the Premier League table.
Van Dijk had another forgettable game at the City Ground. Following his outstanding performance in the 1-0 victory over Manchester City, the Dutchman reverted to his less dominant form.
The former Southampton player also missed a number of clear-cut opportunities from set-pieces, with Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson making an incredible save in stoppage time to deny him.
Van Dijk’s poor play has not gone unnoticed within the football community.
Due to his exploits in 2021/22, the Dutch star was ranked as the world’s best central defender earlier this year.
However, in FourFourTwo‘s most recent ranking of the 10 best central defenders in the world, Van Dijk has dropped from first to fourth.
Check out the latest ranking from the publication…
Who is the best centre-back in the world?
10. Kim Min-Jae (Napoli)
9. Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
8. William Saliba (Arsenal)
7. Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
6. Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
5. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
4. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
3. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
2. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
- David Alaba (Real Madrid)
Consequently, Alaba wins the gold medal, with teammates Rudiger and Militao joining him in the top 10.
Real Madrid is truly spoiled for choice in the center-back position, isn’t it?
Dias and Marquinhos are the other two players who have surpassed Van Dijk in the rankings, with the latter moving from tenth in May to second now.
Not bad, indeed.
Jules Kounde, Joel Matip, and Kalidou Koulibaly are the players omitted from the previous roster. They have been replaced by Kim, Saliba, and Romero, who have all had outstanding starts to the 2022/23 campaign.
10 best centre-back in the world revealed: Arsenal’s William Saliba makes the cut, Virgil van Dijk drops to fourth
