6 - Jose Fonte (Southampton) Jose Fonte seems to slip under the radar when discussing the best defenders in the Premier League, but while his £20million ex-defensive partner Dejan Lovren has fallen apart at Liverpool, Fonte has retained his secret status as one of the best centre backs in the country. He has made the most amount of passes, been part of 15 clean sheets and is in the top quartile on almost every statistic you can use to judge a defenders’ performance – a top quality all-rounder. Away from numbers, Fonte’s steady and calming influence on the Southampton back four can be seen whenever he plays. Instructing others, intercepting danger and excellent when forced into making a tackle, it is only Fonte’s aerial ability that really needs to improve. And even saying that is harsh. Picture: REUTERS

Credit : REUTERS