At Interesting Football, we took our time to rank the top 20 best defenders in the EPL (Premier League) 2025/26 statistically right now using some of the most accurate data from reliable sources.
EPL has got some of the best legs in the world, I must say, and this is evident in the performance of teams in the domestic and European football competitions.
On the list we've prepared this season, Liverpool's ever-present Virgil van Dijk leads the way alongside Arsenal's William Saliba, and not to forget the emerging Tottenham Hotspur star.
So without the fluffs, who are the best defenders playing in the Premier League right now?
20. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal FC)
Myles Lewis-Skelly is enjoying Arsenal’s stellar start. The young Englishman was one of the defensive revelations at the club last season and maintained his position in the 2025/26 football season.
19. Kyle Walker (Burnley FC)
Kyle Walker is one of the most experienced Premier League defenders right now. The England international leads Burnley FC's backline.
Walker is a player who knows how to make runs at opposing players at the right time and moment.
This season, he continues to gather the numbers for Burnley FC. His performance over the years has earned him a place on England's best list. He has been ranked as one of the best ever right backs in English football.
In case you don't know
18. Cristian Romero Gabriel (Tottenham Hotspur)
Spurs star Cristian Romero is gradually becoming a go-to player when it comes to ranking the best defenders in the EPL.
The Argentine star was making headlines when Juventus caught the eye of Spurs, who spent a significant amount to secure his services.
He has proven to be a top-level player and is approaching his prime. He has been a good addition to Tottenham Hotspur's first team.
Last season, Romero was outstanding, helping Spurs secure a place in European football.
Tottenham Hotspur has a lot to play, and Romero is expected to be a key part of the process.
17. Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
There is a reason Marc Guehi is one of the most sought-after players in the English Premier League right now. The Englishman has continued to maintain his top form and remains one of the most valuable players at Crystal Palace.
16. Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tottenham Hotspur has some of the best defenders in the world; one such is Spanish international Pedro Porro.
Porro is gradually gaining top form and has enjoyed a great run of form from the concluded European Football Championship to the new EPL season.
Over the years, Spurs appeared to have lacked consistent defenders, especially since the departure of the likes of Walker.
Pedro Porro joined Spurs in the summer of last season and has already established himself as a key player in the team. He joined Spurs initially on loan from Sporting CP before signing a permanent contract at the club.
15. Andy Robertson (Liverpool FC)
Andrew Robertson is a household name in the EPL. The Scottish footballer has been Liverpool's finest in the defence, forming a strong partnership at the back with the likes of Virgil van Dijk.
Andrew Robertson over the years has won the left-back position and still remains number one for head coach Arne Slot.
Apart from his consistency, he brings consistency to the team, which has been helping.
With only a few games into the new season, Liverpool FC are already keeping tabs with Manchester City and Arsenal in the top four positions.
So far, Liverpool looks solid from all angles, including defensively, where Andrew forms a solid backline with van Dijk, Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
You guys who follow Liverpool know that it would be difficult to find a perfect replacement for him at the moment.
14. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea FC)
Marc Cucurella continued with his Euro-winning mentality at Chelsea. The Spaniard has continued to gather the numbers this season under Enzo Maresca.
This season, he has been involved in almost every game for the Blues.
Chelsea have been struggling in the English Premier League over the last two seasons even as the club registered new players.
But gradually, the team is taking shape, and key players like Marc Cucurella have been behind the team's surge towards recovery.
Chelsea's stability would largely depend on the consistency of its top players, including the Spaniard, in the long run.
13. Ben White (Arsenal FC)
Is Benjamin White still the ideal number four for Arsenal? Well, you can see it for yourself because the stats do not lie.
Arsenal have enjoyed a fine run in all competitions thanks to the brilliance of this guy, who holds a stronghold in the middle of the park. But how is he doing it? Well Arsenal fans, it is up to you to decide.
Benjamin White is a right-footed defender who has shown to be capable of holding the back four and operating at the base of the midfield. He is more of an aggressive player who is effective at preventing passes within his area.
At times, he plays a little bit forward. In summary, Ben White is a versatile player who remains one of the backbones of Arsenal's defence.
12. Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)
Micky van de Ven is one of the fastest rising stars and a revelation at Tottenham Hotspur. He is loved not just for his defensive duties but also on the offensive, where his shot on goal remains spot on; otherwise, he is a goal scorer.
Thanks to Thomas Frank, Micky van de Ven has continued to improve on his set pieces at Tottenham Hotspur this season. The 24/25 wasn't the best for him, but this could be one of his best years in the English top flight.
The 6'4" centre-back is all Spurs need to compete in the EPL this season thanks to his defensive and offensive abilities.
11. Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United)
Noussair Mazraoui plays for Manchester United. The Moroccan has been dubbed one of the most significant in years at the club alongside Bruno Fernandes due to his versatility and dedication to improving his game.
Mazraoui was a product of AFC Ajax in the Dutch league before making the big move to Bayern Munich. He has been in good form, especially during the games he's been introduced to.
10. John Stones (Manchester City)
John Stones has continued to provide cover for the Manchester City backline since his arrival from Everton. The English footballer remains a reliable player in Pep Guardiola's team despite the competition for his position in the first team.
John Stone's recent iconic moment came as he snatched a late draw for Manchester City in the Premier League game against Arsenal at home.
Nevertheless, his future has been up for debate amid interest from top teams and the competition for his position in the first team. Guardiola has continued to perfect his strategies to fit every player in his team.
9. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal FC)
Jurrien Timber makes the top 10 list of the best defenders in the English Premier League and surely deserves to be on it following his form in the Arsenal first team. Although he had a difficult first season in the English top flight, he has since adapted to the system.
The Dutchman brings a lot of stability to the Arsenal defence while adding flexibility to his game. The right back has been applauded for his solidity and consistency in the team despite some injury setbacks.
8. Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool FC)
Liverpool and French star Ibrahima Konate makes the list, and of course he deserves to make the cut.
From the days of Jürgen Klopp to Arne Slot, the Frenchman remains one of the backbones of Liverpool's defence, and this season is no exception.
Quotes from Anfield Watch reveal that the Frenchman is often underrated by PL teams, which gives him the opportunity to operate in any given space as per the head coach.
Konate has continued to do an outstanding job for Liverpool since his arrival at the club. The club remains strong in the challengers for the English Premier League title.
7. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest)
Well, Nottingham Forest seems to have an army of defenders ready to swoop in on opposing players, and Nikola Milenkovic is one of such players.
One of the few players that have consistently shaped the Nottingham Forest defence in the last couple of seasons is the Serbian footballer who has successfully partnered with Brazilian star Murillo.
As Forest target consistent appearances in European football, Nikola Milenkovic would be key to their quest in the long run.
6. Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
Oh yes, a great addition to the city's defence. The interesting thing about Joško Gvardiol is his ability to play as an offensive player.
Some of Manchester City's goals during the 2024/25 season were from the Croatian who has constantly maintained his position at the back and provides goals when the opportunity is presented.
Josko Gvardiol joined the citizens from RB Leipzig for a whopping sum and has since justified the club's decision to splash the cash for his services.
Statistics show he is one of the best left backs in world football. This season, he has continued to gather the numbers for the citizens. If you're planning on seeing the money well spent, then Gvardiol should be your go-to player.
5. Murillo (Manchester City)
Well, you have it. Murillo steps into the ring and claims his position as one of the EPL elites today. But how would you rate a defence that kept the most clean sheets without the acknowledgement of the defenders? That didn't seem right.
Murillo has been at the heart of the Nottingham Forest defence,increasingly becoming one of the most sought-after players in the English Premier League due to his outstanding contributions at the City Ground.
The Brazilian is known for his progressive ability as well as making a difference in the box. He is a player who is ready to give his all and play his A-game.
4. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal FC)
Gabriel Magalhaes is a new generation defender, a backbone sitting at the heart of Arsenal's defence.
The Gunners have enjoyed a solid defence in the last couple of seasons thanks to the cooperation between William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Zinchenko and Benjamin White.
At the heart of Arsenal's defence, Gabriel Magalhaes remains an immovable player who has preserved a high level of consistency in the last few seasons.
3. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
The Premier League is Europe's powerhouse, housing some of the best talents. One of these players is Man City star man Ruben Dias. He plays as a centre back and is known for his aggressive style of play and leadership quality.
City boss Pep Guardiola has relied heavily on his services over the last couple of seasons.
He is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world. In the EPL, it would be fair to name him as one of the best legs in his position.
Dias was named Premier League Player of the Season at the end of the 2020-21 season and UEFA Champions League Best Defender at the same time.
2. William Saliba (Arsenal FC)
Another defensive powerhouse on the list is William Saliba. You all cannot deny the role of Saliba in the success of Arsenal in the last few seasons.
After a series of loan stints, he gained recognition in his time at French club Marseille and went on to solidify his position in the team.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta continues to rely on the defensive brilliance of Saliba to execute his defensive plans alongside Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White.
I have watched Saliba, and I can tell you he is arguably one of the best you can find out there. He has already established himself as one of the best in Europe at the moment, and the stats speak for themselves.
1. Van Dijk (Liverpool FC)
Could he become one of the EPL's greatest DF? Well,DFs? time will tell.
Virgil van Dijk needs no introduction when it comes to the list of the best DFs in the EPL. The Dutchman is regarded as one of the best defenders in world football, and he has maintained this status in the last couple of years.
He has so far made a name for himself not just at the heart of Liverpool defence, but also playing at the international football level. He joined the Reds from Southampton after initially starring for Scottish Premiership side Celtic.
In case you don't know - EPL's greatest defenders
It is important to know the best players that dominated this position, especially due to their impact and consistency.
John Terry (Chelsea)
John Terry is arguably one of the greatest defenders the EPL has ever seen. The Englishman won over five Premier League titles and played mainly for Chelsea FC. He is known for his leadership, aerial dominance, and goal threat. He is also famously known for his role as captain of the team Chelsea.
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Many football fans hear or see him in action on TV as a pundit but have little idea of him. Well, Rio Ferdinand won 6 Premier League titles and was known for his passing accuracy, tactical intelligence andcomposure.
Rio Ferdinand was a key figure in the Manchester United first team during Sir Alex Ferguson's dominance of the league.
Nemanja Vidić (Manchester United)
Nemanja Vidić is another player that cannot go unnoticed when it comes to ranking the greats. He won five Premier League titles and is known for his physicality and aerial ability. He also won two Premier League Player of the Season awards as a defender.
Ashley Cole (Arsenal, Chelsea)
Ashley Cole is the next player when it comes to ranking the league's greatest of all time. He won up to three Premier League titles and is known for his defensive awareness, pace, and attacking support.
Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Vincent Kompany is another football great. He won four Premier League titles and was known for his leadership and strength. He captained Manchester City during their rise to Premier League dominance.
Ranking Factors
What are the criteria used to rank the best defenders in the Premier League this season?
In a bid to give you a detailed and interesting list, we went through a rigorous process and secured accurate data from reliable sources like Sofascore.
Player Rating
We ranked players based on Sofascore Player Ratings for the last three months for the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Update Frequency
This list will be updated every month for better accuracy and reliability.