Players were assessed on a weighted scoring model which considers attacking threat (20% weight), ball playing (40% weight), and defending (40% weight – includes aerial ability), by analysing over 20 different per 90-minute performance metrics.
To improve the accuracy of the results possession adjusted statistics were used for defensive stats – these give a more accurate representation of a players defensive output by accounting for team possession.
To avoid bias towards centre-backs who spend a lot of time on the ball, stats such as progressive passes and carries were adjusted per 100 live-ball touches to provide a truer account of a player’s use of the ball.
A pair of Brighton & Hove Albion defenders have been named amongst the league's shining defensive lights.
You can see where they rank in BetVictor's standings in the gallery below.
5. John Stones
John Stones is fifth on the list but comes out on top on aerial wins. The Manchester City man has won 84.2% of his headers this season. His rate of 13.21 ball progressing actions per 100 live-ball touches is the fourth best in the league Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
6. Antonio Rüdiger
Antonio Rüdiger ranks sixth. The German has scored three goals and won 68.9% of his aerial duels. He has also taken 10.79 ball progressing actions per 100 live-ball touches and has been forced into 12.43 possession adjusted defensive actions per 90 minutes this season Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
7. Rúben Dias
Rúben Dias ranks seventh. The 24-year-old has scored two goals and won 58.6% of his aerial duels. He has also taken 13.73 ball progressing actions per 100 live-ball touches and has been forced into 13.46 possession adjusted defensive actions per 90 minutes this season Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
8. Andreas Christensen
Andreas Christensen ranks eighth but has taken the most possession adjusted defensive actions per 90 minutes (20.63) in the Premier League this season. The Dane has won 61.5% of his aerial duels and take 8.02 ball progressing actions per 100 live-ball touches Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images