Who has been the best Premier League centre-back so far this season?
There is a lot of conversation over the quality of centre-backs, and what qualities they need. While defending is the most important aspect, there is now a need for centre-backs to be strong on the ball. So who has the best combination?
We used our Squawka Score to pick out the best 10 of the season, among players with at least 1,710 minutes played in the Premier League.
The 2025-26 season is over, and Ruben Dias reigns as the best centre-back in the Premier League by the Squawka Score. The gap between Dias and second-placed Gabriel is close, however. They were the only players with Scores of 70%+.
- Ruben Dias (Man City) – 75%
- Gabriel (Arsenal) – 73%
- Marc Guehi (Man City) – 69%
- Jaka Bijol (Leeds) – 68%
- William Saliba (Arsenal) – 66%
- Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) – 65%
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 65%
- Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 64%
- Murillo (Nottingham Forest) – 64%
- Michael Keane (Everton) – 63%
NB: Only players with at least 1,710 minutes in the season under their belts are considered.
5. William Saliba
- Team: Arsenal
- Squawka Score: 66%
It will be no surprise to see William Saliba on this list. After all, he was part of the best defence in the Premier League. The Frenchman was one of the better centre-backs on the ball this season, sitting in the 80-95th percentile for passes into the final third completed per 90 minutes at 4.89. He’s in the similar group for his forward passing accuracy. Of course, a centre-back’s main job is defending, but Saliba ranks extremely well for his role in Arsenal’s defence including clean sheets and a low number of non-penalty Expected Goals Conceded.
4. Jaka Bijol
- Team: Leeds
- Squawka Score: 68%
It may sound strange for a centre-back from a team nearer the bottom of the table to be one of the best in the league. But Jaka Bijol was a busy man, and he’s done well with it. The Leeds United defender won 60.32% of his ground duels, ranking well, and was even better with his 3.14 aerial duels won per 90. The latter places him in the 80-95th percentile among centre-backs. Bijol was excellent with his clearances too, averaging 7.61 per 90, enough to place him in the 95th percentile and above.
3. Marc Guehi
- Team: Man City
- Squawka Score: 69%
Marc Guehi ended the season as a Manchester City player, but he also earned his spot thanks to his performances with Crystal Palace. The Englishman sat in the 80-95th percentile among centre-backs for his 2.94 aerial duels won per 90, with 65.19% success rate. Guehi was a strong passer, averaging 6.71 passes into the final third per 90, and a forward passing accuracy of 77.83%. He did the defensive work too, sitting in the 80-95th percentile for his 1.42 interceptions retaining possession per 90 and successful offside traps.
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2. Gabriel
- Team: Arsenal
- Squawka Score: 73%
It’s no surprise to see Gabriel on the list. The Brazilian was an absolute rock at the back for Arsenal, and an integral part of their title-chasing side right now. He ranked in the top percentile for a lack of challenges lost and his number of clean sheets. Gabriel also ranks well for other defensive metrics including blocked shots (1.11 per 90), non-penalty xGC and ground duel success rate (69.9%).
1. Ruben Dias
- Team: Man City
- Squawka Score: 75%
Ruben Dias was the best centre-back in the Premier League in 2025-26. He sat in the best percentile for challenges lost and clean sheets, proving important for Man City’s defence. Dias also sat in the best percentile for goals conceded among cente-backs. His general passing stats were all good too, which is becoming such a big part of a centre-back’s game in 2026.
How do Squawka player ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is completely stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
Using extensive research and our expertise, we tailored each score to the players’ respective positions. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes and so on.