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.
13. Mohammed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu ranks 13th. The Ghanaian ranked in the top five centre-backs for possession adjusted interceptions. The Southampton defender managed 2.89 per 90 minutes Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
14. Romain Saïss
Romain Saïss ranks 14th. The Moroccan has scored two goals and won 66.1% of his aerial duels. He has also taken 6.39 ball progressing actions per 100 live-ball touches and has been forced into 15.32 possession adjusted defensive actions per 90 minutes this season Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images
15. Davinson Sánchez
Davinson Sánchez ranks 15th. The Colombian has scored two goals and won 58% of his aerial duels. He has also taken 9.35 ball progressing actions per 100 live-ball touches and has been forced into 14.32 possession adjusted defensive actions per 90 minutes this season Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
16. Harry Maguire
Fans might be surprised to see Harry Maguire in the top 20 given Manchester United’s defensive woes. However, Maguire is Man United’s best performing centre-back statistically speaking. He has a positive Z-score for attacking threat (0.46), ball playing (0.35), and defending (0.37) – meaning he is performing above average for a centre-back in each of these categories Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images