Chelsea
Top 10 Central Defenders in World Football
Central defenders are naturally the toughest and strongest players on the field and here we learn about the top 10 central defenders in world football.
10. Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt became one of the hottest commodities in football after a brilliant 18-19 season, with teams such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus vying for his signature.
De Ligt has shown to be one of the brightest talents of the future as the first defender to ever receive the Golden Boy award. He joined Juventus in 2019 and, because of his fantastic performances, helped his team win Serie A in his first season.
9. Leonardo Bonucci
Bonucci began his career as a midfielder before moving to defence, which may explain why his composure under pressure when in control ranks among the greatest in the game. Bonucci is recognised for his passing range, skill, and ability to attack from behind with long passes.
He’s a tall, strong defender with superb anticipation, solid tackling, and the ability to understand the game. He has excellent marking skills, thrives in the air, and is a constant danger from set-pieces.
8. Milan Skriniar
Since joining Inter Milan in 2017, the Slovakian has progressed from strength to strength, establishing himself as one of Europe’s greatest centre-backs.
He’s the whole deal. Skriniar’s one-on-one defence is his most notable trait. The centre-back is generally perfectly positioned and has excellent game reading skills. The teenage defender is fantastic in individual ground fights, sturdy in the air, nimble in his mobility, and has incredible placement. When you add in his passing ability, you have a defender capable of playing for any top club in the world.
7. Eder Militao
In his early Real Madrid days, Eder Militao took a lot of heat for specific errors or teething difficulties. However, the fact that Brazilians are so prevalent is revealing.
Real Madrid lost Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane at the same time, with neither being replaced by a strong defensive leader in the same mould. Although Los Blancos signed David Alaba, a different type of defender, Militao has been counted on as the defensive bite. This season, he’s developed into a more certain, confident player and has been a major component of a title-winning team.
6. Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva has long been considered as one of the finest centre-backs in the world, but he is nearing the end of an illustrious career. His performance has not been hindered by his age. Silva has proven that class never fades and has made a significant impact to the Chelsea backline thus far this season, with his leadership and forceful presence assisting the Blues in improving their defensive record after a shaky start.
5. Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte is the quintessential Guardiola centre-back: elegant, at ease in possession, and not afraid to put his head where it hurts when the situation calls for it.
Manchester City’s defence has been a tight ship anytime Laporte, who joined them for £57 million from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, has been at the helm. He’d fit in with any team in the world – except his own, where Pep preferred Stones – and is now Spain’s substitute for Sergio Ramos. He’ll have enormous shoes to fill, to be sure.
4. Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly is a ‘Colossal Beast’ simply because of the way he plays. He is a huge, energetic, fast, and physically strong yet exquisite player. His awareness, positioning, tackling, attitude, skill, and passing are all outstanding. Koulibaly has grown into one of the most exceptional athletes in modern football after being questioned by practically everyone as a teenager.
Koulibaly is one of the finest defenders in the world, combining enormous power, quickness, aggressiveness on and off the ball, remarkable control, and excellent passing range. He is a player who is covered by practically every major European team for a reason.
3. Ruben Dias
The Portugal international has progressed through the Lisbon club’s youth systems to become one of the top young defenders outside of Europe’s big leagues, helping Benfica win the league title and the Nations League at international level during the 2018/19 season. Dias has had an immediate impact on City’s defence, forming a promising connection with Aymeric Laporte.
2. David Alaba
David Alaba is not just one of the finest centre-backs in the world, but also one of the best left-backs, a competent midfielder, a passable left-winger… and if you gave him some gloves, he’d probably maintain a clean sheet as well.
Alaba has been heralded as one of the best free signings of the season after switching from Munich to Real Madrid last summer. The Austrian has been a constant in a Real backline that has won La Liga and reached the Champions League final. If Spain want to dominate Europe, Alaba must be at his best against Liverpool on May 28.
1. Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool has become a superpower thanks to the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk. After his record-breaking move to Anfield, almost everyone doubted the Dutchman would live up to the price tag. Years of setbacks and tribulations have taught him how to silence the sceptics.
He is a defender who can evaluate his timing and challenge at the appropriate time. Given his massive frame, his speed is astonishing. Van Dijk, in addition to being a great ball distributor, poses a threat to the opponent when moving out of the defensive line with the ball. He can dribble well and force opponents to break their defensive blocks.
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Chelsea Women travel to St. Helens Stadium on Sunday afternoon with history beckoning, sitting just one match away from setting a new WSL record for the longest unbeaten run. The reigning champions currently match their own 33-game streak, with struggling Liverpool representing the last team to beat them in league competition back in May 2024.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Women (4-2-3-1): Peng; Carpenter, Bright, Bjorn, Charles; Kaptein, Walsh; Rytting Kaneryd, Cuthbert, Macario; Thompson
Liverpool Women (4-3-3): Kirby; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Woodham; Nagano, Kerr; Holland, Kapocs, Enderby; Olsson
Chelsea’s Record-Breaking Run
Sonia Bompastor’s side equalled their 33-game unbeaten mark with last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal, though the dropped points allowed Manchester City to leapfrog them into first place. Chelsea now sit second, one point behind City with both teams having played eight matches.
The Blues bounced back midweek, demolishing St Polten 6-0 in the Champions League. Catarina Macario and Sam Kerr each grabbed braces, extending Chelsea’s tally to seven points from three European matches. Chelsea have scored 15 league goals already this season, with seven arriving inside the opening 15 minutes.
Captain Millie Bright is set to make her 211th WSL appearance, breaking the league’s all-time appearance record.
Liverpool’s Struggles Continue
Gareth Taylor has endured a torrid start to his first season as Liverpool boss. The Reds have managed just one point from eight league games, leaving them in 11th position.
Liverpool finally claimed their first point last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Brighton. Beata Olsson’s 26th-minute opener had them positioned for victory, only for Brighton to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser. Liverpool have scored just four league goals all season whilst conceding 13 times.
Long-term injuries to Zara Shaw, Marie Hobinger, and Sophie Roman Haug have depleted the squad. Chelsea remain without Kadeisha Buchanan, Brooke Aspin and Mayra Ramirez, while Hannah Hampton faces an extended absence with a quad injury.
Kick-off: 12:00 PM Sunday, November 17th, 2025
Venue: St Helens Stadium
TV and Live Streaming: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football (UK)
Read More: “Not Good Enough”: Renee Slegers Admits Arsenal Women’s Bayern Collapse Was Unacceptable
Chelsea and Norway winger Guro Reiten has become a mother after welcoming her first child with partner Julie Nilssen on November 13, 2025. The 31-year-old announced the arrival of their son Felix through an Instagram post, marking a significant personal milestone during the current Women’s Super League season.
A Long-Awaited Arrival For Guro Reiten and Julie Nilssen
Reiten shared the news on social media alongside an image of the newborn’s feet, writing: “Finally we got to meet our Felix.” The announcement comes months after the couple first revealed they were expecting a child earlier in 2025.
Fans reacted to the announcement. Check out some reactions below:
In a summer interview, Reiten had spoken about the careful planning involved in balancing her football career with starting a family, saying: “There’s a lot of planning, but we’re well underway, so it will work out. It’s just a lot of positive energy. It’s been a dream for a long time, and finally it’s happening. We’re really looking forward to it.”
Guro Reiten’s Impact on Chelsea Season
The timing of Felix’s arrival comes during a crucial period for Chelsea, who currently sit second in the WSL table, one point behind closest rivals Manchester City. Reiten has been instrumental in the Blues’ dominant start to the season under new manager Sonia Bompastor, having recently extended her contract with the club until 2026.
The Norwegian international has made 177 appearances for Chelsea since joining from LSK Kvinner in 2019, winning five WSL titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, and the Community Shield. Her recent form saw her pass the 50-goal milestone for the club and earn recognition as one of the league’s most consistent performers.
While Chelsea have not yet announced how long Reiten will be absent from action, the club’s squad depth should help them maintain their title challenge. The football community has rallied around the couple with congratulations pouring in following the announcement, highlighting the growing support for players balancing professional careers with parenthood in women’s football.
Also read: Arsenal Women vs. Tottenham Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Charlotte Searle is the former travel manager of Liverpool FC, and she is known for being the wife of a Celtic FC manager Brendan Rodgers.
Searle comes from Leicestershire, and she is known for being the partner of the best football manager of all time, Brendan Rodgers. Under Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic football club won the Scottish Premiership title. He was also the manager of top football clubs all over the world like Watford, Reading, Swansea City, Liverpool, and Leicester City. He has led the clubs to many titles in a short time.
Charlotte Searle and Brendan Rodgers Families
Charlotte was born in 1984 in the Merseyside region of North West England. Unfortunately, there is no such information regarding her parents.
Brendan Rodgers was born on 26 January 1973 in Carnlough, Northern Ireland. His father Malachi was a painter and decorator and his mother Christina was a volunteer for the Irish charity Trocaire. He also has a younger brother.
Charlotte Searle’s husband, Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers is one of the top managers of the Premier League, having managed over 7 clubs in his tenure to date. Rodgers began his career as a defender at Ballymena United and was signed by Reading at 18. But due to a generic knee condition forced him to retire at the age of 20.
Brendan was invited by Jose Mourinho to join Chelsea as a Youth Manager in 2004. He managed Swansea City in 2010 to promotion to the Premier League, the first Welsh team to do so.
Rodgers led Celtic to an undefeated domestic season in his first year and trebles in his first two seasons. He also led Leicester City to its 2021 FA Cup in its second entire season. After placing third in their Europa League group, Leicester City was demoted to the UEFA Europa Conference League for the 2021–22 season. They advanced to their first-ever European semi-final but fell to Roma, managed by José Mourinho’s former teammate, 2-1 on aggregate.
With seven losses in their first 10 Premier League games of the 2022–23 season, Leicester started off poorly, and Rodgers came under fire from supporters. After a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, he departed the club by mutual consent, expressing confidence in his abilities to keep them in the Premier League.
Later, in June 2023, Rodgers returned to Celtic and signed a three-year contract. Celtic won to start the 2023–24 campaign, but their form quickly started to slip.
Charlotte Searle and Brendan Rodgers Kids
Charlotte started dating Brendan while working for Liverpool FC soon after separating from his wife Susan Rodgers, after 24 years of marriage. Searle also was married for seventeen months before that to Steven Hind. She also has a daughter with her named Lola, who was born in 2013.
Rodgers got engaged to Charlotte in February 2016, and they married in a lavish ceremony on the shores of Scotland’s Loch Lamond at the Loch Lamond Golf Club. They don’t have any children yet. Brendan has two children from his earlier marriage, a son named Anton and a daughter named Mischa.
Charlotte Searle Profession, Career, Net Worth
Charlotte Searle is an English travel coordinator and manager who has worked for Liverpool FC as well. Unfortunately, there is no other information regarding what she is doing at present. There is no information about her salary and earnings. She and Brendan have a net worth of roughly $20 million. They have their own business ventures as well.
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