Premier League football has a number of defenders who have stepped up their game in 2024. Defenders can slide into action to prevent strikers from scoring goals on the football field. Top teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City are fighting hard in the Premier League to win more matches this season.
You can find that the most active defenders playing for Premier League clubs are tackling their opponents head-on with consistent passes. Many clubs have been able to achieve over 50 points in the 2024 Premier League standings due to defenders being on their guard.
Take a look at the top defenders in the Premier League.
Ben White
Ben White is an English footballer who has made 138 appearances in the Premier League. He can take the ball away from attackers and pass it to his teammates to help them retaliate during important matches. Arsenal signed Ben White into their club in 2021 and has been ecstatic about his play style throughout the seasons.
His records for the 2024 Premier League season include 22 wins for Arsenal from the 32 matches that Ben White has played. He can tackle the ball successfully from incoming attackers and redirect possession with crosses and long balls. Ben White has also scored 2 goals for his team, making him an unbeatable footballer.
Currently, he is on a 4-year contract with Arsenal, providing supporters with plenty of hope for a Premier League championship title finish in 2024. Ben White has played in multiple positions for Arsenal such as the right-back and centre-back defender. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and forward Bukayo Saka rely on Ben White to score goals for their club.
Ben White can land the ball from aerial strikes to defend the goalpost against fast attackers in international matches. He has also played for the England national football team. His control over the ball and passing abilities make him one of the best defenders to watch during Premier League matches.
Nathan Aké
Nathan Aké is a Manchester City defender. He has appeared in 24 matches for Manchester City in 2024 Premier League with a total of 16 wins this season. The Dutch footballer has made more than 1,500 passes for Manchester City. He has blocked 8 shots from attackers and intercepted 11 passes from rival clubs.
Manchester City brought Nathan Aké to their home turf in 2020. He made his Premier League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping Manchester City win with a comfortable 3-1 score. He has scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists for his team in the 2024 season of Premier League.
Attackers and midfielders find it hard to predict the movements of Nathan Aké. The Manchester City defender can pass the ball to cover far distances without being stopped in his tracks by midfielders. His one-on-one attacks on strikers can be fascinating to view on the big screen.
Previously, he has played for Premier League clubs like AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea. He wears the number 6 jersey for Manchester City. Nathan Aké has proved his mantle by helping Manchester City win the Premier League title during the last 3 seasons. He has been voted as the Player of the Season by his fans for various clubs in his professional football career.
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has played as a defender for Liverpool since 2018. The 32-year old footballer is admired for his strength, stamina, and speed. He has appeared in 31 matches in the 2024 Premier League. Liverpool has won 20 matches with Virgil van Dijk this season. He is often the last defender in Liverpool’s team that strikers encounter in their matches.
On average, Virgil van Dijk passes the ball more than 80 times in Premier League games. He can win aerial battles with ease to defend goals for Liverpool. His transfer fee to Liverpool from Southampton set the world record for a defender at that time. In his first season with Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk was announced as the Premier League Player of the Season. He is also the only defender to win the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award.
With over 191 appearances for Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk is among the most consistent defenders for his club. He has scored 18 goals for Liverpool throughout his career. Virgil van Dijk also scored a goal with a header in the 2024 Premier League season. This year, he has created several big chances to score for his team.
Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro is a Spanish footballer. He is an outstanding defender for Tottenham Hotspur. In the 2024 season of the Premier League, Pedro Porro has provided 7 assists to valuable goals for his team. He has made over 150 crosses for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, letting his club win 17 matches in the current season.
His performance for Tottenham Hotspur has improved over the last few matches. His success rate with tackles has led his club to win several matches in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur has earned 5 clean sheets this season by counting on Pedro Porro. He also scored a goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Nottingham Forest to drive his team to a 3-1 victory.
