Top 5 Premier League Centre Backs for Defensive Stats Combined

According to WhoScored.com ratings it is decipherable to see the best defender's from last season with regards to purely defensive statistics, starting with the Premier League.

The likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton are all represented, while pressure from opposing sides also forced the best out of candidates from both Wigan and relegated West Ham.

Kompany
On the top of the pile in England last term was Manchester City's Vincent Kompany, whose combination of superb figures from the back assure him of that position. In 37 appearances for City, the Belgian averaged 0.86 blocks per game, with 2 of those coming from inside the 6-yard box during the campaign. He also averaged an impressive 2.35 interceptions a match and 2.7 tackles on average having made exactly 100 successful challenges during the season.

In terms of clearances, his figure of 9.08 is made all the more impressive due to the limited amount of pressure that City were condemned to compared to lower ranked teams in the league. Of the 104 aerial duels he competed, he came out on top 73 times and lost less per game (0.84) than any of his competitors. He made 2 errors which led to shots over the campaign though none led to goals. In making 45 fouls he ranks highest in this regard, suggesting an area for improvement having made 1.22 per game on average.

Jagielka
Everton and England's Phil Jagielka had a fantastic season all round, making 1.06 blocks per game as well as 2.1 interceptions in his 31 appearances last term. In making 77 tackles he averaged 2.48 a match along with 8.06 clearances. The centre back was solid and dependable, making no errors which led to shots or goals from his opponents.

An area in which he was significantly weaker than Kompany is in his aerial success, winning 46 over the season but losing the same amount as the City man who won 27 more duels. Jagielka turned the tables when it came to fouls conceded per game after making just 14 all season, averaging 0.45 a match.

Alcaraz
Wigan captain Antolin Alcaraz provided somewhat of a surprise package statistically last term, coming out on top in more of the defensive categories than any other centre back. In 34 appearances for the Latics, Alcaraz made the highest of the 5 players compared in interceptions per game (3.47), tackles made (129), tackles per game (3.79) and aerial duels won (104), all being indicative of the barrage of attacks he faced at Wigan last season.

Areas in which the Paraguayan was less impressive included his blocks per game at 0.71 and in particular, his aerial duels lost, having been beaten to the ball 67 times (1.97 per match). However, his combined total of 171 aerial challenges made, far surpassed all of his competitors in this regard.

Tomkins
Perhaps another shock inclusion in the list involves West Ham's James Tomkins, whose stats from last term suggest he was unlucky to feature in just under half of the relegated sides fixtures. The 22-year-old particularly impressed in terms of blocks and clearances made, completing an average of 1.19 and 9.75 respectively. He also won more aerial duels per game than his competitors with 3.19 and showed maturity beyond his years in avoiding any direct errors which led to shots or goals.

There is room for improvement for the young centre back, especially when it comes to tackling, having made 2.44 tackles per game, the lowest of the 5. Despite winning the most aerial duels per game, he also lost the most at 2.19, showing that he is not afraid to challenge for headers but that his success rate could be better. Along with Kompany he was also the only other player to concede more than a foul a match on average with 1.06.

Alex
Chelsea's Brazilian centre-half Alex was ruled out for much of last season and struggled to return to the side following the arrival of David Luiz, subsequently leading to rumours of a transfer this summer. However, his defensive stats from his limited 12 appearances last season suggest that new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas may be best advised to hold onto the defender.

The 29-year-old fared well in terms of tackles per game (2.75), aerial duels won per game (2.5) and committing as few fouls as possible (0.67 a match). The experienced defender did however rank bottom of the 5 when it came to blocks per game (0.67), clearances per game (5.83), though his club's stature could account for this. He was the only player of those analysed to make an error which directly led to a goal.