The Championship currently has several standout centre-backs at various phases of their careers, with several receiving much of praise for their performances this season. With the second-tier currently in the midst of a two-week fixture break due to the November internationals, many managers and players – if they aren’t on duty for their respective nations – will be taking advantage of the opportunity to reflect on their performances thus far, as several clubs have started the season either matching or significantly underperforming the expectations placed on their shoulders. The role of a defender in the contemporary game has evolved dramatically in recent years, with many required to have excellent ball-playing ability to complement the styles of play adopted by various managers, as well as defensive nous and aerial capability. Having said that, there are countless players in this area of the pitch who have caught the eye over the first 15 games of the Championship season, and Football League World has ranked the 12 finest performers who play at the heart of their club’s defence.
12Rob Atkinson
Rob Atkinson of Bristol City leads off this list, as he is currently one of several absentees for Gerhard Struber. However, a hamstring injury should not detract from his impressive 13-game run at the start of the season, which included a goal against Ipswich and a nice assist for Sinclair Armstrong against Birmingham City. Despite missing the last two games, the 27-year-old is still in the top ten percent of Championship players in terms of tackles and duels won, as well as a high percentage in aerial battles won, demonstrating his previous consistency.
11Ben Wilmot
Menu FootballLeagueWorld logo Ranking the top 12 best EFL Championship centre-backs so far this season Jannik Vestergaard and Tristan Crama Follow Like Thread Link copied to clipboard 4 By Benedict Ferraby 1 hour ago The Championship is currently home to several standout centre-backs at varying stages of their careers, with some earning plenty of plaudits for their performances so far this season. With the second-tier currently in the midst of a two-week fixture break due to the November internationals, many managers and players – if they aren’t on duty for their respective nations – will be utilising such time to reflect on their performances thus far, as several clubs have started the season either matching the expectations placed on their shoulders, or in some cases, have severely underperfomed in relation to those. The job of a defender in the modern game has changed drastically in recent years, with many expected to boast strong ball-playing ability to compliment the styles of play adapted by several managers, along with their defensive nous and aerial prowess. With that being said, there are numerous players in this department of the pitch who have caught the eye across the opening 15 games of the Championship season, and Football League World has ranked the 12 best performers who feature at the heart of their club’s defence. 12 Rob Atkinson Rob Atkinson of Bristol City Kickstarting this list is Rob Atkinson of Bristol City, who is currently one of several absentees for Gerhard Struber. However, a hamstring issue shouldn’t take away from what was an impressive 13-game stint at the beginning of the season, which included a goal against Ipswich and a tidy assist for Sinclair Armstrong against Birmingham City. Despite being absent from the past two games, the 27-year-old remains within the top 10 percent of Championship players when it comes to tackles and duels won, as well as having a strong percentage when it comes to winning aerial battles, highlighting his prior consistency. 11 Ben Wilmot Ben Wilmot of Stoke City vs Middlesbrough Aside from the heroics of Viktor Johansson, the just-as experienced Ben Wilmot has been a key influence behind Stoke City’s strong start under Mark Robins. Of course, the 26-year-old has, occasionally, dipped below-par in the opening 15 games. But, putting up numbers such as 68 recoveries and 73 duels won has aided what still remains as the division’s best defensive record, with the Potters conceding just 10 times across the first three months of the campaig
10
Charlie Hughes
Charlie Hughes has been one of numerous standouts in Hull City’s surprising play-off run under Sergej Jakirovic, with the 22-year-old continuing his rise at the MKM Stadium. While the Tigers have only kept three clean sheets this season, the Wigan-born man has remained largely composed at the heart of defence when it comes to winning battles and distribution, as evidenced by a stunning assist for Joe Gelhardt in the 3-2 victory over Portsmouth, as well as leading the division in terms of blocks per 90 minutes.
9Lloyd Jones
Menu Football League World logo Rank the top 12 best EFL Championship center-backs this season. Jannik Vestergaard & Tristan Crama Follow Like Thread Copy link to clipboard 4. By Benedict Ferraby, 1 hour ago. The Championship currently has several standout centre-backs at various phases of their careers, with several receiving much of praise for their performances this season. With the second-tier currently in the midst of a two-week fixture break due to the November internationals, many managers and players – if they aren’t on duty for their respective nations – will be taking advantage of the opportunity to reflect on their performances thus far, as several clubs have started the season either matching or significantly underperforming the expectations placed on their shoulders. The role of a defender in the contemporary game has evolved dramatically in recent years, with many required to have excellent ball-playing ability to complement the styles of play adopted by various managers, as well as defensive nous and aerial capability. Having said that, there are countless players in this area of the pitch who have caught the eye over the first 15 games of the Championship season, and Football League World has ranked the 12 finest performers who play at the heart of their club’s defence. 12. Rob Atkinson Rob Atkinson, Bristol City Rob Atkinson of Bristol City leads off this list, as he is currently one of several absentees for Gerhard Struber. However, a hamstring injury should not detract from his impressive 13-game run at the start of the season, which included a goal against Ipswich and a nice assist for Sinclair Armstrong against Birmingham City. Despite missing the last two games, the 27-year-old is still in the top ten percent of Championship players in terms of tackles and duels won, as well as a high percentage in aerial battles won, demonstrating his previous consistency. 11. Ben Wilmot Ben Wilmot of Stoke City versus Middlesbrough Aside from Viktor Johansson’s heroics, the equally veteran Ben Wilmot has been a driving force behind Stoke City’s good start under Mark Robins. Of course, the 26-year-old has occasionally performed below expectations in the first 15 games. However, with 68 recoveries and 73 duels won, the Potters have maintained the division’s finest defensive record, allowing only 10 times in the first three months of the season. 10 Charlie Hughes Charlie Hughes of Hull City versus Sheffield United Charlie Hughes has been one of numerous standouts in Hull City’s surprising play-off run under Sergej Jakirovic, with the 22-year-old continuing his rise at the MKM Stadium. While the Tigers have only kept three clean sheets this season, the Wigan-born man has remained largely composed at the heart of defence when it comes to winning battles and distribution, as evidenced by a stunning assist for Joe Gelhardt in the 3-2 victory over Portsmouth, as well as leading the division in terms of blocks per 90 minutes. 9 Lloyd Jones Lloyd Jones, Charlton Athletic vs. Sheffield United Charlton Athletic’s impressive start has been based on solid defensive foundations, with Lloyd Jones continuing where he left off in League One for the Addicks. The former Liverpool player was named to the third-tier Team of the Season and has begun the season with an impressive run of form, currently posting the third-best average in terms of clearances per 90 and the fourth-best number of interceptions on average among his Championship centre-back counterparts.
8Dara O’Shea
Dara O’Shea was able to stay at Ipswich Town this summer despite speculation of a return to the Premier League, with the Tractor Boys captain recently playing a key role in a run of good form at Portman Road. The Republic of Ireland international scored his first goal for Town in a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough last month and has been in excellent form recently, particularly in aerial fights and recovery tackles. If their current form continues, the Tractor Boys could soon be in the situation that many predicted in preseason: quick promotion.
xz
