There's no good team whithout good defense

Keeping a clean sheet is just as important as scoring goals. This is something a lot of managers tend to forget when they load up their save, but investing in world-class center backs can be a highly effective way of improving the level of your team.

With the amount of attacking quality around the world now, you need a superb commander at the back to keep the defense organized and frustrate your opponent.

So, who are the most amazing defenders in FM20? Here they are:

15. Jérôme Boateng

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 31 years old
• Nationality: German
• Club: Bayern Munich
• Value: 35 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2021.   

• His mental attributes are crucial to a defender
• He is a supremely fit defender who is very well rounded 
• Will fit in almost any team immediately 

Jerome Boateng is a 30 years old (as of July 2020) professional footballer from Germany. He plays either foot equally and his best role is Central Defender (although he can play on either left or right side of the backline if necessary). In the first season of Football Manager 2020 Jerome Boateng is contracted to FC Bayern until 30-Jun-2021 earning 198K per week and has a market value of 35M. He is in his prime for an elite DC and will tighten your defense massively.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147164/jer-me-boateng/ 

14. Aymeric Laporte

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 26 years old
• Nationality: France
• Club: Manchester City
• Value: 75 M 
• Contract expires: 30.06.2025.   

• Aymeric Laporte in FM 2020 is a solidly established first-team DC but yet has some room to develop his attributes 
• His mental attributes are amazingly rounded
• Solid passing, technic, and vision will contribute largely to creating attacks from behind

Aymeric Laporte is a 26 years old (as of July 2020) professional footballer from France. His preferred foot is Left and his best role is Central Defender (either one, and also if quite necessary you can use him as an LB). In the first season of Football Manager 2020 Aymeric Laporte is contracted to Man City until 30-Jun-2025 earning 120K per week and has a market value of 55M. You can help him reach his full FM20 potential with proper training.  Laporte is solid on the physical side, good in the air, strong and also reasonably quick. He can be the central defender that you need if you manage a top European club.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147097/aymeric-laporte/ 

13. Samuel Umtiti

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 26 years old
• Nationality: France
• Club: FC Barcelona
• Value: 47 M 
• Contract expires: 30.06.2023.

• Fantastic physical attributes
• Very high anticipation, along with positioning, and composure makes him a perfect attack stopper
• Not fully developed

Samuel Umtiti is a very strong center back. His best role is Central Defender and he is left-footed. In the first season of Football Manager 2020 Samuel Umtiti is contracted to Barcelona so it’ll take a big chunk of your transfer and wages budget to make him switch to your side. But it will be worth it. With Umtiti in your backline you’ll have a perfectly fit DC that no attacking player can pass by ease.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155152/samuel-umtiti/ 

12. Marquinhos

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 25 years old
• Nationality: Brazil
• Club: PSG
• Value: 53M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2022.

• His tackling skills make him almost impassable 
• Not too aggressive but very determined 
• With 25 years old still some room for improving already high overall attributes

Marquinhos is a 25 years old Brazilian center back. His preferred foot is Right and his best role is Anchor Man. In the first season of Football Manager 2020, Marquinhos is contracted to Paris SG until 30-Jun-2022 which leaves some room for his acquisition by major European clubs. He won’t dive into tackles easily and will mark his opponents tightly. 

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155124/marquinhos/ 

11. Mats Hummels

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 30 years old
• Nationality: Germany
• Club: Borussia Dortmund 
• Value: 53 M 
• Contract expires: 30.06.2022.    

• Excellent mental stats ensure crucial stability in your backline.
• Naturally fit player.
• Defensive rock

Hummels is an old school DC, whilst also possessing the capabilities to play the role of a ball-playing center back. Fairly slow but does compensate with high anticipation and positioning. Opposing attackers are going to have a real issue breaking down any defense this man’s a part of. The only downside to this DC is the high price for his age and qualities. 

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155145/mats-hummels/ 

10. Thiago Silva

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 34 years old
• Nationality: Brazil
• Club: PSG
• Value: 5,9 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2020.

• Extremely experienced DC.
• Excellent mental stats.
• Amazingly high physical stats for his age.

The seasoned Brazilian defender has just turned 35 but he is still meanly locking the Parisian backline and could flourish under the right manager. His experience would also prove invaluable for anyone looking to develop a young center-back. Best thing: he’ll sign for free on a Bosman ruling after January 2020.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/148973/thiago-silva/ 

9. Matthijs de Ligt

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 19 years old
• Nationality: Dutch
• Club: Juventus
• Value: 34,5 M 
• Contract expires: 30.06.2024.    

• Excellent mental stats highlighting the fact that he will be a star in any league.
• He has a very good work-rate and is a natural leader.
• He has the potential to become one of the best players in the world in his position.

De Ligt is already one of the best defenders in the world at the young age of 19. He is also a natural leader at the back, and in the dressing room, making him a very stable calming presence.

He is likely to grow into a beast in most saves and will also get you a lot of set-piece goals should you make some effort in concentrating on set pieces. He will also play an important part in defending these set pieces with his aerial superiority.

A good manager will bring out the best in him and make him one of, if not the best central defender in the game.

Details on: https://www.fmscout.com/player/37055843/matthijs-de-ligt.html

8. Jan Vertonghen

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 32 years old
• Nationality: Belgium 
• Club: Tottenham  Hotspur
• Value: 26 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2020.

• Well rounded attributes
• Plenty of experience 
• Fantastic mental attributes

Vertonghen is a very strong, well rounded defender. Mainly a central defender, he can also play as a left back. Vertonghen transferred to Tottenham in July 2012, and made the PFA Team of the Year in his first Premier League season, going on to make over 200 appearances for Spurs and winning their player of the year award in 2018. A defender in his prime, with all the necessary attributes high enough for a first class DC.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147245/jan-vertonghen/

7. Kalidou Koulibaly

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 28 years old
• Nationality: Senegal
• Club: Napoli
• Value: 57 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2023.

• Unmatched physical attributes 
• Very brave and determined 
• Proper ironman

A fresher face, Kalidou Koulibaly has long been a good buy in FM. The Senegalese defender arrived at Napoli in 2014 from Genk for just £6.5 million and has turned into a dominant player, racking up more than 200 appearances for his club. With 19 strength, 17 pace, and 17 stamina Koulibaly is a beast. He also brings 18 marking and 17 tackling to the field, along with 16 positioning, 16 teamwork, and 16 work rate. Superb buy, fits straight to the first team of any club and has many quality years in front of him.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147090/kalidou-koulibaly/ 

6. Gerard Piqué

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 32 years old
• Nationality: Spain
• Club: FC Barcelona
• Value: 30 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2022.    

• One of the best DCs in the game.
• Brings ball out of defense
• Goes forward whenever possible

Another member of the old guard, Gerard Piqué is still one of the best defenders in the world. The Barcelona captain had a brief stint at Manchester United, but returned to Catalonia to rack up eight La Liga titles, three Champions League titles, and then pick up a European Championship and World Cup with Spain.

In FM20 Pique has excellent mental stats, with 18 composure, 18 positioning, and 17 decisions. He also has 16 marking and 16 passing, but lacks speed with just 13 pace and 11 acceleration.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147190/gerard-pique/ 

5. Giorgio Chiellini

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 34 years old
• Nationality: Italy
• Club: Juventus
• Value: 6,8 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2020.    

• High determination and work rate makes him a very reliable player
• Mental attributes are just stunning
• Fantastic addition to any backline

Giorgio Chiellini has been with Juventus since 2005 and has claimed eight Serie A titles in his time with the Old Lady.

Despite his age, Chiellini is still a superb defender. A consummate pro, his stats are highlighted by 20 bravery, 18 positioning, 18 teamwork, and a massive 19 tackling. He still has 16 pace too, although his 10 acceleration does undo that somewhat.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/148591/giorgio-chiellini/

4. Harry Maguire

 

• Position: DC, DM
• Age: 26 years old
• Nationality: England
• Club: Manchester United
• Value: 39 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2025.

• Amazingly rounded mental stats
• Tremendous jumping and heading will make him dominant in the air in both boxes
• Still have some room to improve

Harry is one of the best center-backs in the game today. He can play defensively in the midfield if necessary. 

He is a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure - coupled with his composure on the ball and a huge presence in both boxes. He will fit well into almost any group both on and off the pitch.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147148/harry-maguire/

3. Raphaël Varane

 

• Position: DC
• Age: 26 years old
• Nationality: France
• Club: Real Madrid
• Value: 50 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2022.

 

• Fantastic physical stats
• Outstanding defending skills
• Some room for progress 

Varane is best as a Central Defender. Naturally strong but also fast, he is very dominant in the air. He is a humble, hard-working player who does not seem to be affected by the major spike in attention. Varane is not replaceable both in Real Madrid and in the French squad. Zinedine Zidane described him as the best French central defender since Laurent Blanc.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155139/rapha-l-varane/

2. Sergio Ramos

 

• Position: DC, DR, WBR, DM
• Age: 33 years old
• Nationality: Spain
• Club: Real Madrid
• Value: 23 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2020.  

  

• Amazing physical attributes considering the age
• His technical skills are just tremendously rounded
• True leader

The Real Madrid captain is a vital piece of the team. His list of career honors lacks nothing, with four La Liga titles, four Champions League winners medals, and two European Championships and a World Cup with Spain.

He has not lost any of his pace or stamina despite being 33, and Ramos still looks like a world-class central midfielder rather than a defender – with green stats for passing, flair and leadership.

Reached his full potential, but precious asset to any team. In FM 2020 Ramos is basically perfect.

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147305/sergio-ramos/

1. Virgil van Dijk

 

• Position: DC, DM
• Age: 27 years old
• Nationality: Holland
• Club: Liverpool
• Value: 65 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2022.

• All necessary defending skills peaked
• Unmatched physical attributes
• Still can improve 

It’s no surprise to see Virgil van Dijk atop this list. The man who so nearly won the Ballon d’Or, and who won the Premier League’s highest individual honor last season, is unsurprisingly the best defender in FM20. In Football Manager 2020 van Dijk is a monster. He has a host of 18s and 19s in classic center-back areas, including heading, tackling, marking and positioning.

Van Dijk is as unbeatable in the game as in real life, and at 27 has another four or five years at this level. He will become a fearsome force in the heart of your defense that a few can escape. 

Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147081/virgil-van-dijk/

You may also be interested in: 

• [Top 10] FM20 Best Coaches

• FM20 Best Director of Football

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Strikers Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Players Who Are Amazing

• [Top 10] FM20 Best Clubs To Manage

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Wonderkids Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Right Wingers Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Defenders Who Are Amazing