Premier League Centre-Half Rankings: The Top 5 Centre Halves in English Football
Over its history, the Premier League has been home to some of the finest centre-halves ever to play the game. Players like Marcel Desailly, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Tony Adams are just a handful of the great defensive lynchpins that have graced the top flight of English football.
In more recent times, Virgil van Dijk has put himself in the conversation as one of the league’s greatest-ever defenders due to his outstanding performances for Liverpool since joining the Anfield club in 2018.
The current crop of centre-halves plying their trade in the league appear to be as strong as any that have gone before them, but who exactly makes our list? We have considered their form this season as well as their overall impact and consistency over the years.
With that in mind, here is our list of the top five centre-halves in England.
The Top 5 Centre Halves in the Premier League
5. Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace
The former Chelsea defender has become one of the best centre-backs in Europe over the last 2–3 seasons, thanks to his exemplary performances for Crystal Palace and England. He played a major role in Palace’s 2024/25 FA Cup triumph, with his form attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
His contract situation is surely a concern for coach Oliver Glasner and Palace fans. Despite his deal expiring at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, the Palace captain has not allowed it to become a distraction on the pitch. He came close to a summer move to Liverpool, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute, but given his form and ability, one of Europe’s elite clubs is likely to snap him up on a free next summer.
4. Ruben Dias, Manchester City
Few defenders have made the kind of immediate impact Ruben Dias had on Manchester City during his debut season in 2020/21. The Portuguese international not only helped his side win the Premier League title, but was also crowned Footballer of the Year. While replicating that level every season is a challenge, Dias remains one of the best defenders in the league.
Despite City’s defensive inconsistencies and frequent rotation, Dias has been a constant. He remains a mainstay of Pep Guardiola’s defence, and if City are to return to the heights of previous seasons, Dias will undoubtedly be central to that resurgence.
3. Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
The Dutchman has arguably been the best centre-half in England over recent years, but like Liverpool as a whole, he has endured a rocky start to the 2025/26 season. Their inconsistent form has exposed defensive vulnerabilities that Van Dijk previously erased with ease.
This may be a sign of age catching up — he is now 34 — but the constant upheaval in Liverpool’s back line this season has certainly not helped matters. Even so, there is a reason Van Dijk is mentioned among the Premier League’s greatest-ever defenders: he is a winner who has repeatedly demonstrated his class. If Liverpool are to mount a recovery this season, he will once again need to lead the way.
Frenchman Saliba just takes the crown ahead of his defensive partner, but what a defender the 24-year-old has become.
2. Gabriel, Arsenal
Choosing the order of our top two was no easy task given the strength of Arsenal’s centre-back pairing, but second place goes to their Brazilian international, Gabriel.
The former Lille defender combines defensive aggression with calm composure, and his aerial threat from set pieces makes him a valuable attacking asset as well.
Few partnerships in world football are stronger than Gabriel and William Saliba. The Arsenal duo are well on their way to joining the likes of Ferdinand and Vidic or Terry and Carvalho as one of the Premier League’s great defensive pairings.
1. William Saliba, Arsenal
Frenchman William Saliba edges his defensive partner to take the top spot, and what a defender the 24-year-old has become. Considering his stature now, it is remarkable that he struggled to break into the Arsenal team after first joining the club. Loan spells at Marseille and Nice in Ligue 1 helped his development, and he consistently expressed a desire to return to England and prove himself.
Arteta gave him that opportunity in the 2022/23 season, and Saliba has not looked back since. His strength, pace, composure, and tackling ability make him arguably the best centre-back in world football today. Alongside Gabriel, Arsenal have a defensive partnership capable of anchoring the club for many years.
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Liam Lacey
Liam is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA and Football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also!). Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and International Football offering expert opinion and match previews and predictions. Occasionally even getting some right!