Discover the top defensive partnerships dominating the Premier League in 2025. Explore how elite duos are redefining defensive strength in the league.
Premier League’s Best Defensive Duos in 2025
Defense wins championships. While goals grab headlines, it’s often the defenders—working in perfect tandem—who provide the foundation for title-winning campaigns. In the 2024/25 Habanero season, defensive partnerships have never been more critical.
From high lines and tactical pressing to deep blocks and aerial dominance, center-back duos have evolved into more than just stoppers—they’re playmakers, leaders, and essential cogs in every elite team. With clubs battling for European qualification, survival, or domestic glory, a solid backline remains paramount.
Let’s dive into the best defensive duos in the Premier League this season, ranking them based on performance, chemistry, stats, and influence on their team’s league standing.
1. William Saliba & Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
Club: Arsenal
Strengths: Aerial dominance, positioning, recovery pace, ball progression
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has transformed into a title contender largely due to its stability at the back. Saliba and Gabriel offer the perfect blend: Saliba’s composure and intelligence paired with Gabriel’s aggression and physical presence.
Key Stats (2024/25):
- Tackles per game (combined): 4.1
- Clearances per game: 8.3
- Pass accuracy: 89%
- Goals conceded: 24 (lowest in the league)
Arsenal’s defensive duo is not only statistically dominant, but tactically irreplaceable. Their high-line understanding and ability to defend in transition are pivotal to Arsenal’s press-heavy system.
2. Virgil van Dijk & Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)
Club: Liverpool
Strengths: Leadership, aerial duels, high-line coverage
Despite Liverpool undergoing a midfield rebuild, their defense has remained firm. Van Dijk’s return to form has coincided with Konaté’s growth into a physically dominant center-back who can recover quickly and play out from the back.
Notable Contributions:
- Van Dijk leads the league in aerial duel win rate (78%)
- Konaté’s 1v1 defending is among the best, with 0.7 dribblers past per game
Their combination of power and calmness has helped Liverpool remain competitive at the top end of the league.
3. Rúben Dias & Manuel Akanji (Manchester City)
Club: Manchester City
Strengths: Tactical discipline, build-up passing, positional awareness
Pep Guardiola’s rotations don’t always allow for a consistent duo, but when City play their strongest XI, it’s often Dias and Akanji at the heart of defense.
Dias provides leadership and experience, while Akanji’s intelligence allows him to shift between center-back and full-back seamlessly.
Passing Metrics:
- Combined pass accuracy: 93%
- Progressive passes: 18 per game
- Build-up involvement: critical to Guardiola’s control-based style
City’s defensive strength lies as much in keeping the ball as it does in stopping the opponent—and this duo embodies that.
4. Sven Botman & Fabian Schär (Newcastle United)
Club: Newcastle
Strengths: Physicality, shot blocking, leadership
Newcastle’s climb into European contention has been fueled by their rock-solid defense. Botman’s arrival in 2022 gave them a left-footed center-back with calm distribution, while Schär provides experience and anticipation.
Defensive Stats:
- Combined blocks per game: 2.9
- Clean sheets: 12
- Average duels won: 7.4 per match
This duo has helped Newcastle punch above their weight, especially at home where they boast one of the league’s best defensive records.
5. Raphaël Varane & Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)
Club: Manchester United
Strengths: Recovery pace, tackling, aggression
Injuries have disrupted United’s backline, but when fit, Varane and Martínez remain one of the most balanced duos in the league. Martínez’s aggression and left-footed distribution complement Varane’s aerial dominance and calm demeanor.
Although Erik ten Hag has had to rotate, this duo still represents the peak of United’s defensive potential.
Highlights:
- Martínez: 3.2 tackles + interceptions per 90
- Varane: 65% aerial duel success
- Their understanding helped United to a top-four finish in 2023/24 and remains key in 2024/25
Honorable Mentions
– James Tarkowski & Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
Towering presence and leadership in a relegation-threatened but defensively solid Everton side.
– Joachim Andersen & Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)
The pair continue to quietly impress, with Andersen’s long-range passing and Guéhi’s calm defending attracting interest from top-six clubs.
– Lewis Dunk & Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)
Brighton’s progressive style starts at the back, and Dunk’s leadership is vital in organizing the press.
The Role of Modern Defenders in the League
Today’s Premier League center-backs are more than just destroyers. They must:
- Break lines with passing
- Cover space in wide areas
- Anchor a high line under pressure
- Start attacking sequences
As teams shift toward expansive, press-heavy systems, defensive duos must be in sync—mentally and physically—to thrive. That’s why clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City have invested so heavily in building elite pairings.
Key Factors for a Successful Defensive Duo
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Reading each other’s movements instinctively |
| Complementary Skills | Aggression + composure, height + pace, etc. |
| Tactical Understanding | Knowing when to step, drop, or cover |
| Fitness & Consistency | Regular pairings breed better results |
Final Thoughts: Why Defense Wins the League
The 2024/25 season has proven again that strong defensive partnerships are essential to any team’s title hopes or survival battle. Whether it’s Arsenal’s elegant duo, Newcastle’s no-nonsense wall, or City’s ball-playing backs, the best defenses provide more than protection—they offer confidence, structure, and often the springboard to attack.
With competition in the Premier League fiercer than ever, these duos could be the deciding factor in who lifts the trophy or secures European qualification.
Back the League’s Defensive Masters
Love watching brilliant tackles, intelligent positioning, and last-ditch clearances? Support the Premier League by appreciating the defensive warriors who make it possible.
Support the league. Celebrate the duos that define elite defending.
