Top five young defenders in the Premier League 2024-25

The English Premier League continues to grow its stature, with multiple young defenders breaking out season after season. The young players are now an integral part of their team's core, with big clubs having a streak where the academy graduates have continued to feature on the match day for several decades. As the nature of the game has changed, so has the nature of the defenders in the Premier League. The new-age defenders continue to make an impact.

Here is the list of top 5 young defenders in the Premier League 2024/25 who are in their breakout season while being a big part of their club’s fortunes:

5.  Nathan Collins - Brentford

Rising through the ranks of Stoke City, Burnley, and Wolves, the Irish center-back Nathan Collins is making significant strides in the English Premier League in the ongoing season. Making a move to the Gtech Community Stadium-based outfit at the start of the last season in a deal worth €26.85 million, the right-footed center-back is making his mark for the second consecutive season after a breakthrough in the 2023/24 season.

In the previous campaign for the Bees, he had 29 starts with 2 G/A to his name. His completion rate has increased from ~82% to ~85%, averaging three blocks and an interception per 90 in the English top flight. The Irish center-back is on the radar of multiple clubs with his contribution to the Bees, and the club will hope to reap the benefits from the player.

4. Micky van de Ven - Tottenham Hotspur

Some defenders are known for their tenacity and some are known for their valiant defending skills. Micky van de Ven is the perfect combination of both worlds. The 23-year-old central defender, hailing from the Netherlands, clocked 37 kmph speed in a Premier League fixture, shocking every attacker.

His playmaking skill against Manchester United made him one of the young defenders to be watched out. Making his move from the German outfit in the previous season in a deal worth € 55 million, the right-footed center-back has been the mainstay in Ange Postecoglu’s defense.

He clocked 27 appearances during the last season, whereas he has had eight starts in the ongoing season. Micky van de Ven is a great reader of the game, accounting for 1.16 interceptions per 90. One of the great carriers of the ball, the Dutch center-back progressively carries an average of 60 and 279 yards covered in the game. The center-back is to be looked out for as the global footballing giants struggle to get talented defenders.

3. Jarrod Branthwaite - Everton 

One of the most touted young center-backs in the league, Jarrod Branthwaite, has made significant strides in the English Premier League over the past two seasons. Raising through the ranks of Carlisle, Branthwaite moved to Everton in a deal worth € 1.1 million in 2021. After a couple of loan spells at Blackburn and PSV Eindhoven, he has become the mainstay at Goodison Park.

Good on the ball as well as in the air, Branthwaite is highly rated by the rivals and Manchester United pursued him in the summer transfer window. He averages two tackles per 90 whilst having an average interception of 1.6 per game. The player wins an average of 68% of the headers in the Premier League, accounting for one of the most efficient players. With Everton’s season on the line, they will look at this young defender to sail smoothly. 

2. Josko Gvardiol - Manchester City 

Though Manchester City struggles in the ongoing Premier League season, Josko Gvardiol is making the left-back spot his own in Pep Guardiola’s lineup. The Croatian defender caught the attention of the fans when he successfully passed the test in the World Cup 2022. He moved to England last summer from RB Leipzig in a deal worth €90 million, making him one of the most expensive defenders.

From 12 Premier League appearances, he has three goals in the ongoing season, putting some forwards to shame. Averaging close to 2 tackles per 90, he is one of the most efficient tacklers. However, he has struggled with take-on in the league, causing problems for the champions. With the title drifting away, Josko Gvardiol will be critical in Cityzens’ aspirations.

1. Conor Bradley - Liverpool

Breaking through the Liverpool academy at the age of 21, Conor Bradley continues to rise in stature at Anfield. Making his debut under Jurgen Klopp, Conor Bradley has made the proper back spot off his own despite the competition from Trent Alexander Arnold. In the ongoing season, he has made six starts to the campaign with two Champions League fixtures under his belt for the side. His breakout season came during his loan stint with Bolton in the 2022/23 season, with 41 starts. 

Bradley is a great passer of the ball with a pass completion rate of 87.8% in the ongoing season, with him being one of the great readers of the game. The player accounts for 1.7 blocks per 90 and 1.2 interceptions per 90 for Liverpool. The club hopes to reap dividends in the near future, with Liverpool in the title race.