Top 8 Young Central Defenders in World Football
It is perhaps the most difficult position of all for a young player to succeed in. Thus, to see any young player excelling in a centre-back role is always particularly impressive.
There are, though, some supremely talented young central defenders in world football at present who are deserving of every accolade that is thrown in their direction.
Over the next few pages, Bleacher Report takes a look at some of the best around from the younger generation, considering only those aged 21 and under at the start of the 2013-14 European season.
Who, then, are the best young central defenders in the game today?
Marquinhos (PSG)
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Just 19 years old, Marquinhos is a phenomenon of a defender and was fully deserving of his recent international debut for Brazil.
Transfermarkt reports that his switch to Paris from Roma this summer was worth £27.6 million, despite having played just one season of regular first-team football. Such is Marquinhos' potential, and PSG's depth of pocket, that they were willing to spend well above market value to secure his long-term future.
Although yet to bulk out, Marquinhos is quick across the ground and possesses an excellent leap. However, it is his excellent reading of the game that allows him to stand out from the crowd.
There can be no doubting that the Brazilian is one of the game's truly special talents at present and, with enough technical skill to also play at full-back, he could be one of the most complete defenders of his generation.
Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate)
2 of 8An absolute revelation of the 2013 calendar year, Colombian centre-back Éder Álvarez Balanta has not only made himself a regular in the River Plate first-team, but has also attracted admirers from European football.
Balanta has wonderful physique, with his height, speed and strength all well above the levels of most fellow 20-year-olds. He also has wonderful passing skills off his left foot.
Per Sky Sports, River Plate have set his initial asking price at €15 million, amid reported interest from European giants Barcelona. Such sums of money are almost unprecedented for a defender playing in South America, yet alone one with such limited first-team experience.
Balanta has more to prove than anybody on this list, but his potential is frightening. He recently received his first call-up to the Colombia international side and, given Los Cafeteros' aging defensive options, could even make the World Cup next summer if coach José Pékerman is prepared to roll the dice.
Kurt Zouma (St. Etienne)
3 of 8Now a full France international, Kurt Zouma is currently serving a 10-match suspension after a tackle somewhat unfortunately broke the leg of an opponent, per the Daily Mail's Bob Treasure.
However, that incident should not take away from the fact that 19-year-old Zouma, already in his third year as a first-team player, is an exceptional talent and should go far in the game.
FourFourTwo's Tim Simon recently described his strengths as follows:
"Zouma is dominant in the air - he's already made 102 clearances in his first 11 appearances this season and won a healthy 80% of his headed duels - and is one of the quickest defenders in Ligue 1. The young Frenchman is an accurate passer of the ball too, completing 86% of his efforts so far this season.
In a recent game against PSG, he was a stand-out performer as Saint-Etienne drew with the French champions. He blocked five shots in the match, made three clearances and one interception as Les Verts almost pulled off a surprise victory.
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Already linked with the Premier League for some time, per Sky Sports, Zouma will hope for a strong second half of the season, with a World Cup spot an outside possibility.
Phil Jones (Manchester United)
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He may not always get to play in his preferred centre-back role, with his versatility a negative when it comes to progressing in the position. However, there can be no doubting that it is where his long-term future lies.
What is encouraging is that, having played at right-back and in midfield, Jones is blessed with technical abilities that mean he is well suited to the demands placed upon modern centre-backs to be the first distributor in attack.
Add in his excellent tackling and heading, both aided by his physical strength, and it is clear that he has the potential to be a truly outstanding central defender.
If there is one weakness in his game at present, it is that he occasionally switches off to dangers developing around him. That element of his all-round play, though, should improve with regular playing time at the heart of the defence.
Doria (Botafogo)
5 of 8Brazil Under-20 captain Dória is perhaps unlucky that Marquinhos' progress means that he is forced to share the headlines. However, the Botafogo man is without doubt an exceptional talent himself.
Much more of a physical force than the PSG man, Dória blends his size with impressive dexterity on the ball and is another wonderful distributor with his left foot.
Over the past 12 months, the defender has been heavily linked with a move to both Juventus, per BeIn Sport, and Tottenham, per the Mirror's Ed Malyon. For the moment, though, he remains a Botafogo player.
With his first full season at senior level now under his belt and an international cap to his name, Dória's reputation and price continues to rise as faith in his potential increases.
One of the few players to emerge from Brazil's terrible 2013 South American Youth Championship unscathed, it will not be long before the young star is also performing at football's highest levels—whether with club or country.
Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
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Just 20 years old, Serbian Matija Nastasic is already well on his way to making himself known as one of the world's leading defenders, having already excelled in both English and Italian football.
The regular partner of Vincent Kompany at centre-back for Manchester City, Nastasic has proven to be composed beyond his years since arriving at Eastlands in 2012—often the stronger of the pair during the 2012-13 season.
The former Lazio player is an excellent reader of play and is also more than willing to pit himself physically against any opponent. He has, thus far, rarely been found wanting.
Niggling injuries have disrupted his second campaign with City thus far, but he has been generally exceptional when fit—including in difficult and hostile Champions League ties.
He was not cheap, costing over £13 million, but is proving to be worth every penny for Manchester City thus far.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
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Were it not for the injury problems, Raphaël Varane would have been a regular first-team starter for Real Madrid by this point in his development. However, thus far, he has sadly hit regular obstacles when beginning to establish himself at the Bernabéu.
When available, he plays and invariably performs well. Defensively Varane is incredibly secure and, while he has made the odd error, he has largely proven to be capable of performing to a high level in both domestic and continental football.
In turn, his strong and composed performances—often in a far-from-rock-solid defensive line—have also thrust him firmly into Didier Deschamps' plans with the France squad.
Having only started four league games this season, the hope must be that Varane can overcome his knee concerns to push on later in the campaign and confirm a World Cup berth. To be struggling so badly aged 20 is undoubtedly a major concern.
Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke)
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Another with major fitness concerns, Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos has appeared just 10 times in the Bundesliga over the past 18 months, with persistent knee injuries a concern.
However, when fit, Papadopoulos is a sensational defender whose immense physicality makes him a real challenge for any opponent.
For all his strength and power, though, he remains a surprisingly technical player who retains possession well and distributes with accuracy from the defensive line. It is perhaps no surprise then that Brendan Rodgers has been a notable suitor in recent times, per the Express' Ben Jefferson.
Much of his future will now depend on how well he can recover from his injury travails. If he can return to former levels and continue to improve, though, he will be a defensive star of the next decade.
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