Ranking the Top 6 Premier League Defences Ahead of the New Season

The Premier League gets underway on Saturday, with Liverpool and Stoke kicking off proceedings at 12.45 BST at Anfield.

Whenever a new campaign approaches, it is always interesting to evaluate the squads for the coming season and predict the potential strength of each side for the year ahead.

It is never easy—preseason predictions are notoriously difficult to call correctly. However, in general, they are an interesting way to generate debate while there are no matches to comment on.

Rather than offer assessments of club squads as a whole ahead of the new campaign, for a change let us instead evaluate the Premier League's best defensive units.

Below, then, are my picks for the top five defences in the Premier League:

1. Manchester City

There is no doubting that Manuel Pellegrini would like to add depth to his defensive options in the coming weeks, with different names linked on almost a daily basis. His first choice defence, though, is the best the league has to offer.

Joe Hart in goal has his faults but is one of the division's best goalkeepers, while right-back Pablo Zabaleta and centre-back Vincent Kompany would arguably make the majority of Premier League Best XIs.

All three players have been established at the Etihad Stadium for some time and have long since been key to the side's prospects of success.

Add in Matija Nastasic, a highly-promising young defender, and the highly-competent left-back Gael Clichy and you have a truly excellent defensive line.

2. Chelsea

A close runner-up in our list of best defences in the Premier League is Chelsea, who would top our list had they bought a top-class centre-back this summer.

Petr Cech, the club's long-serving goalkeeper, and left-back Ashley Cole are the defence's elite performers at present. It must be added, however, that David Luiz could easily write his name firmly into that category this season should his current development continue.

At right-back, new manager Jose Mourinho also has good options in Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic, with each player offering very different qualities to the side. Depending on the opponent, the Portuguese boss could rotate his two options to suit his tactical needs.

The one question mark surrounds the ageing John Terry. Can he rekindle the form of old for Chelsea under his former manager? We will soon find out, but his stubborn nature could get him through one more campaign.

3. Tottenham Hotspur

By the end of the transfer window, Tottenham could very well end up challenging for a place at the top of this list of best Premier League defences.

In Jan Vertonghen, Spurs have a very accomplished defender at the heart of the back four and, in Hugo Lloris, have perhaps the league's best goalkeeper at present.

English duo Michael Dawson and Kyle Walker are more than decent defensive options, although they may not be everybody's cup of tea. However, the big issue lies in the left-back position.

Danny Rose would seem favourite to start the season in the role, having excelled at Sunderland last campaign. Ideally, though, the club would like to bring in a top-quality replacement for Benoit Assou-Ekotto by the end of the window.

Should they do so, the Spurs defence would instantly look much better.

4. Manchester United

The Manchester United defensive unit four or five years ago would have topped this list without any arguments. However, the Red Devils have experienced considerable issues in defensive areas over the past two seasons.

The 2012-13 campaign was somewhat of a breakthrough campaign for both goalkeeper David de Gea and right-back Rafael within the Manchester United first team. Added to a resurgent Patrice Evra on the left flank, there were undoubtedly major reasons to be positive about the United defence.

However, it is at centre-back that the club have had significant issues. Four of the club's five leading options in the position have suffered recurring injury problems, with only Jonny Evans left to hold court consistently.

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have both made it through preseason this time around, but Phil Jones may be ready to step up to a regular first-team role.

5. Everton

The interesting aspect regarding Everton's defence this season is that nobody is really sure how Roberto Martinez will set out his side. At former club Wigan, he used both a four-man and three-man backline frequently during his reign.

Centre-backs Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin have a well-established partnership at the heart of the defence and, despite their advancing ages, remain one of the league's best defensive double acts.

Along with goalkeeper Tim Howard, they have a great understanding of each other's games which should come to the fore once more this season. Recent signing Antolin Alcaraz is also a decent option as is Netherlands international John Heitinga.

It is at full-back, however, that Everton's defence really shines. Left-back Leighton Baines is widely sought-after for his impressive attacking abilities, but right-back Seamus Coleman is another highly-impressive wing-back at Martinez's disposal.