From 22-year-old captains to lower league veterans, the second tier is hardly lacking in centre-backs who belong at a higher level.
As the obsession with the ‘modern centre-half’ grows, it’s worth a reminder that it wasn’t John Stones who lifted the Premier League trophy last season. Nor was it Daley Blind, Jan Vertonghen or Laurent Koscielny. Instead, it was Wes Morgan, an old-school, iron-headed number 5 who honed his trade away from the pristine lawns of La Masia or Sabener Strasse.
As the 32-year-old hoisted the trophy aloft, it did not merely represent a triumph for Leicester City, but also for lower-league alumni, graduates from the School of Hard Knocks.
But, among the current contingent, who could follow Morgan onto the main stage?
Jason Shackell
Guiding Burnley to promotion as captain in 2013-14, why Jason Shackell has made only 49 Premier League appearances in an era where top tier sides are crying out for a solid, experienced centre-half is anybody’s guess. Commanding and uncompromising, Derby County re-signed the now 33-year-old for a hefty £3 million at the start of last season, proving how highly rated the former Norwich youngster is in the lower leagues.
Tom Lees
With Leeds United currently looking as porous as a perforated sponge, they could be forgiven for wondering why they ever let Tom Lees go. For, just five years after signing his first professional contract at Elland Road, he signed for Sheffield Wednesday on free and promptly developed into one of the league’s top defenders. With Carlos Carvalhal’s side stocked with attacking intent, Lees holds the side together with his aerial prowess and underrated passing ability.
Chancel Mbemba
With Georginio Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko ‘earning’ big-money moves to Liverpool and Tottenham after a season of underachievement, the fact Chancel Mbemba remained largely absent from the gossip column was something of a surprise. The Congolese international was one of the few reliable performers for the Magpies last season, after all. A powerful yet classy centre-back, Mbemba has all the tools to be the most convincing Newcastle defender in recent memory.
Lewis Dunk
Dunk’s accession to the Premier League appeared a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ not so long ago. Yet, he remains on the South Coast and, after signing a new three-year contract earlier this week, will do for the foreseeable future. And, with Brighton aiming to remedy their play-off heartbreak this season, Dunk’s confirmed commitment could not be better timed. According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old has scored almost as many goals (9) as he’s won Man of the Match awards (11) in the last two seasons.
Jamaal Lascelles
It takes some serious mental strength to assume the captaincy of a sinking ship. Yet, earlier this summer, Jamaal Lascelles did exactly that. Aged just 22, and with one season at St James’ under his belt, the former Nottingham Forest youngster inherited the captains armband from Fabricio Coloccini. And, most remarkably, nobody batted an eyelid. A calming presence in an all-too-often flustered backline, Rafa Benitez has good reason for placing his trust in his fresh-faced skipper.
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