English Premier League: Top 10 Defenders to Follow in 2011-12

Preseason training has already started for the teams of England's Top Flight. The English Premier League has some of the best defenders in the world and some of the most exciting young defenders that will be expected to step up this season.

After a month and a half of the transfer window, some players have moved to bigger clubs and will be expected to perform. Others will hope to hold on to their spot after surprise performances and the rest can only hope to hold on to their prolific career at the back before their prime time passes.

With that I give you a list of the top 10 defenders to follow this up and coming 2011-12 EPL season.

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Gary Cahill

It is still undecided where Gary Cahill will play next season. At the moment, he looks to be remaining at the Reebok with manager Owen Coyle and will remain the backbone of the Wanderers defense.

Cahill is one of the brightest young center backs in the league and he will have to have another dominant season to keep Bolton in the top 15, as they look to be a little less potent this season with the loss of Johan Elmander up front and it is unknown if they will secure a second loan for Daniel Sturridge.

Phil Jones

A big-money transfer from Blackburn Rovers to Manchester United has seen England U21 Skipper Phil Jones make a huge step in his career at his young age.

He will join Rafael as the future of the Red Devils defense and he will be fighting aging legend Rio Ferdinand for a spot next to Nemanja Vidic at the back.

Jones proved he had ability at Blackburn, but he will be held to a higher standard at United, and it will be interesting to see if he can force himself into the first 11 at Old Trafford.

Bacary Sagna

Arsenal right back Bacary Sagna was the only real bright spot for the Gunners defense last season. Arsene Wenger truly needs more quality signings in the center of his defense and perhaps they would not bleed goals so badly.

If not for Sagna, there would have been many more slip ins, and he will once again have to own the right side of defense with hope of future support.

Branislav Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic made himself invaluable for Chelsea this season. His ability to keep a cool head and make the right tackles when the time came was indispensable.

Under new management this season, he will once again have to prove himself, but he seems more than capable of taking on the challenge.

Fabricio Coloccini

Newcastle United owe a debt of thanks to Fabricio Coloccini for his performances this past season, as he helped to keep the Magpies higher in the table than they might have ended without him at the back.

He will once again need to be on top of his game this coming season as the Tyneside club will be trying to improve on their 12th-place finish last season.

Leighton Baines

Everton's Leighton Baines continues to grow and could potentially take the place of Manchester United's Patrice Evra and Chelsea's Ashley Cole as one of the best left fullbacks in the EPL.

He still has years of life left on his career and his continued growth as a player only keeps shining through as his play keeps getting better and better.

Vincent Kompany

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany could be one of the best younger defenders in the league as his poise and position at the back combined with a soft touch for the pass helped to shepherd the Citizens to an FA Cup Trophy and a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Kompany will have to be at his best this season, as the Citizens will face more challenges this year as they become targets of the bigger clubs who are not so happy to have been displaced by them in recent seasons.

Martin Kelly

Although his time got cut short thanks to a hamstring injury against West Ham, Liverpool's Martin Kelly proved to be a breath of fresh air for the club as he took over the right side of defense and bossed it.

This coming season, we could bear witness to the emergence of a future star for Liverpool and England if he is given the chance once again under now permanent manager Kenny Dalglish.

David Luiz

Could Chelsea have signed a better young defender last January?

I truly do not think so.

David Luiz came in at the last minute completely overshadowed by the Blues' recent purchase of Fernando Torres, and he electrified the team and the fans.

For the remainder of the season, he was all over the place defending and attacking when on the pitch, and next season he could prove to be an even bigger asset to the club.

Nemanja Vidic

Manchester United's skipper had a season to remember, as he was the solid bedrock of the Red Devils' spine this past campaign.

Constant injury problems for Rio Ferdinand were rarely noticed, as Vidic continues to become one of the best defenders of the Premier League Era.