Corriere dello Sport, the Italian newspaper, have today suggested a potential nine replacements for when Stefan De Vrij leaves Lazio this summer. We’re going to take a look at the nine names and describe a little bit about the kind of defenders they are.

Diego Antonio Reyes (Porto) – Reyes is a Mexican 25-year-old who currently plies his trade in the Liga NOS for Porto. Reyes is a physical presence and often wins aerial duels, yet his tackling is yet to be perfected. He’s played just 8 (+3 subs) league games this season but has bagged himself two goals and an assist, with an 86.2% passing accuracy.

Matej Mitrovic (Besiktas, on loan at Club Brugge) – Matej Mitrovic is a 24-year-old Croatian centre-back who is currently on loan at Club Brugge from Besiktas. Although he has a poor disciplinary record, Mitrovic is a talented defender, yet nowhere near the best on this list.

Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton) – Funes Mori has come from River Plate in Argentina, and has flourished into a very talented, and versatile defender. Despite his poor discipline, Funes Mori is a keen passer of the ball and is known for clearing the ball down the pitch to the attacking options.

Ricardo Fereira (Braga) – Fereira is a 25-year-old Portuguese centre-back who is currently playing for Braga. The defender, similarly to Funes Mori, is known for his passing more-so than his tackling, allowing play to transition from defence to attack very quickly. However, he may not be the right choice to replace De Vrij, who has been a consistent and solid tackler of the ball since day 1.

Eder Alvarez Balanta (Basel) – This 25-year-old Colombian centre-back initially played for River Plate, before moving to Basel back in 2016. Balanta is very gifted on the ball, as well as a strong physical presence off it – always running back to make tackles and interceptions. In 28 league games at Basel, Balanta has scored four times: showing he is much an attacking threat as he is a defensive stalwart.

Sebastian Coates (Sporting) – Sebastian Coates is slightly older than the prior entries on this list, at 27-years-old. The former Liverpool defender has had a career resurgence since leaving Anfield and has become a vital part of Sporting Lisbon’s consistent defence. Coates has made on average 2 tackles per game, 1.5 interceptions per game, and nearly 4 clearances per game in the league this season. Although perhaps an ageing defender, Coates is still solid, reliable and has much to offer.

Fabian Schar (Deportivo) – My personal favourite option on this list, Schar is a 26-year-old Swiss defender currently playing for Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga. He has been in great form this season, making an average 2.3 tackles p/g, 1.7 interceptions p/g and 5.5 clearances – with a further 1.2 successful dribbles p/g. He is consistent, reliable and in my opinion, a near like-for-like replacement for Stefan De Vrij.

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) – The final two names on this list may shock many people. Corriere dello Sport have suggested that Lazio may look to a more experienced name. First up is Tottenham’s Belgian defender, Jan Vertonghen. The 30-year-old has been vital to Spurs’ defence over the past few seasons, but as he grows older, and Spurs start to replace him, it is possible than the Belgian may seek a move away.

Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid) – Finally, a 32-year-old defender who has been making headlines for years. Atletico Madrid’s Uruguayan centre-back, Diego Godin, has been at the club for years and has seen them rise to prominence, challenging both Barça and Real Madrid for the La Liga title. Statistically, Godin is one of the best centre-backs in the world and has been instrumental to Atletico Madrid’s success over the past half-decade.

Nine names on this list, but which one would you like the most at Lazio? Who is the perfect fit to replace De Vrij? Let us know on Twitter @LazioBlogEN or in the comments below!