WhoScored 2020 Rewind: Ramos and Van Dijk contend for best centre-backs
Completing the defensive unit as we continue to build our Team of the Year from Europe's top five leagues, it's the turn of the centre-backs this time around. With two spots up for grabs in our lineup we've extended our nominees from four to six, with two titans from the continent joined by a Premier League quartet.
As ever, you will have the chance to vote on your favourite from the foursome on our official Twitter page, with the duo with the most votes making our Best XI, so here are your options...
💪 The second centre-back slot is between these three
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 6, 2021
⏳ As always, you have two hours to vote and influence the ultimate XI for 2020! 👇
6) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.11 rating
While many might expect Van Dijk to be nearer the top of this list, the Dutchman's form this season prior to the injury he sustained in the Merseyside derby was some way short of his best. That, however, just goes to show that a slightly out of sorts Van Dijk remains among the very best centre-backs on the continent. The 29-year-old scored three league goals in 24 appearances in 2020, whilst averaging just under 80 accurate passes per game and an overall accuracy of 90.1 per cent. He won 74.1 per cent of his aerial duels and helped to keep ten clean sheets.
5) Kurt Zouma (Chelsea) - 7.11 rating
While all eyes have been on the Blues new recruits this season, Kurt Zouma has been one of the team's most improved and consistent performers, establishing himself as the undeniable first choice to partner Thiago Silva at the back. The Frenchman has been a huge threat from set pieces this season in particular, scoring four times, and like Van Dijk has been very effective both in the air and on the deck, completing 90.6 per cent of his passes in 2020 and winning 70.8 per cent of his aerial duels, whilst also earning ten clean sheets.
4) Jannik Vestergaard (Southampton) - 7.13 rating
Out of the team at the start of the year, Vestergaard has certainly made a spot in Ralph Hasenhuttl's XI his own with commanding displays week after week this season in particular. Saints' colossal great Dane has dominated in both boxes, scoring three goals in the current campaign, whilst winning close to 74 per cent of his aerial duels. In 18 league starts last season, Vestergaard ended on the winning side 11 times, losing just three, while in the 16 matches he didn't start Saints won just five and lost seven, highlightly the team's improvement since the 28-year-old's reintroduction.
3) Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) - 7.13 rating
Despite the fact that Sergio Ramos will turn 35 in a matter of months, the Spaniard remains among the top rated centre-backs in world football for good reason. Real Madrid look lost at sea without him when the veteran is unavailable, and their captain chipped in with ten league goals in 2020, albeit with six coming from the penalty spot. Nevertheless, his goals were invaluable to winning the title in La Liga, and a superb 91.5 per cent pass accuracy highlights the fact that Ramos is still as composed in possession as ever.
2) James Tarkowski (Burnley) - 7.14 rating
While Tarkowski may be a surprise inclusion to many, his stats in 2020 speak for themselves. No player blocked more shots in Europe's top five leagues last year (38), while the 28-year-old ranked second for clearances (159) and clean sheets from starting centre-backs (14). Meanwhile, only two centre-backs won more aerial duels than the Englishman (148), whose return from injury this season coincided with a dramatic increase in the defensive solidity that Burnley pride themselves upon. Tarkowski is their rock.
1) Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) - 7.32 rating
Another centre-back stalwart still at the top of his game, Hummels has been considered among the best in the business for the best part of a decade and enjoyed an excellent 2020. The 32-year-old made 29 league appearances over the course of the year, scoring four times, keeping ten clean sheets and averaging 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game combined. With 3.2 aerial duels won and 3.1 clearances per game, along with an 88.3 per cent pass accuracy, the German remains the full package.
Players of 2020: GKs, RBs, LBs
