The 5 most underrated Premier League defenders this season and why they deserve more credit
The Unsung Heroes: Premier League's Most Underrated Defenders of 2025/26
In an era where defensive excellence is often overshadowed by attacking flair and social media highlight reels, the Premier League's most consistent defenders frequently operate in the shadows. While the spotlight gravitates toward household names like Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, a select group of defenders have been delivering world-class performances week after week, forming the backbone of their teams' campaigns without receiving their due recognition.
This season has been particularly revealing. As tactical systems have evolved and the demands on defenders have intensified—requiring not just defensive solidity but also progressive passing, positional versatility, and leadership—certain players have risen to meet these challenges with remarkable consistency. These are the defenders who don't just stop attacks; they initiate them, organize entire defensive structures, and provide the platform for their teams to compete at the highest level.
Let's examine five defenders who have been criminally underrated this season, analyzing the specific metrics, tactical contributions, and contextual factors that make their performances truly exceptional.
Murillo (Nottingham Forest): The Brazilian Revelation
When Nottingham Forest secured Murillo from Corinthians for approximately £15 million in the summer of 2023, the signing barely registered outside the East Midlands. Fast forward to March 2026, and the 22-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League's most impressive young defenders, anchoring a Forest backline that has been instrumental in their push for European qualification.
Statistical Excellence and Tactical Intelligence
Murillo's numbers tell a compelling story. He's averaging 2.3 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per 90 minutes this season—figures that place him in the top 15% of Premier League center-backs for defensive actions. But raw numbers only scratch the surface of his impact. His tackle success rate of 78% demonstrates not just aggression but timing and intelligence, crucial attributes that separate elite defenders from merely active ones.
What truly distinguishes Murillo is his progressive passing ability. He's completing 4.2 progressive passes per 90 minutes with an 89% pass completion rate, making him one of the most reliable ball-playing center-backs in the division. In Nuno Espírito Santo's system, which demands defenders who can break lines with their passing, Murillo has become indispensable. His ability to identify and execute passes into midfield under pressure has transformed Forest's build-up play, allowing them to transition from defense to attack with greater efficiency.
Maturity Beyond His Years
Perhaps most impressive is Murillo's composure in high-pressure situations. Forest have faced 387 opposition attacks this season, yet Murillo's error count leading to shots stands at just two—a remarkable figure for a defender in his second Premier League campaign. His reading of the game, particularly his anticipation of through balls and his positioning in the defensive third, suggests a player with far more experience than his age would indicate.
Former Premier League defender and pundit Rio Ferdinand recently noted: "Murillo has that rare quality of making defending look effortless. He's not scrambling, he's not lunging—he's just always in the right position at the right time. That's elite-level defending."
Issa Diop (Fulham): The Redemption Story
Issa Diop's transformation from West Ham liability to Fulham stalwart represents one of the Premier League's most compelling redemption arcs. After struggling with consistency during his final seasons at the London Stadium, the 27-year-old French defender has rediscovered his best form under Marco Silva, becoming the defensive cornerstone of Fulham's impressive campaign.
Defensive Dominance in the Air and on the Ground
Diop's aerial prowess has been particularly crucial for Fulham this season. He's winning 4.7 aerial duels per 90 minutes with a success rate of 71%, making him one of the most dominant aerial defenders in the league. In an era where set-pieces can determine entire seasons, Diop's ability to neutralize opposition threats from corners and free-kicks has been invaluable. Fulham have conceded just 11 goals from set-pieces this season, the fourth-best record in the division, with Diop's presence a primary factor.
His ground-level defending has been equally impressive. Averaging 4.8 clearances and 1.4 blocks per game, Diop consistently makes crucial interventions that don't always appear in highlight packages but are essential to Fulham's defensive solidity. His partnership with Tim Ream has provided the stability that allows Fulham's attacking players—Willian, Andreas Pereira, and Rodrigo Muniz—to express themselves without defensive concerns.
The Silva Effect
Marco Silva's coaching has clearly unlocked something in Diop. The Portuguese manager has simplified his defensive responsibilities, allowing him to focus on his strengths: physical dominance, aerial ability, and no-nonsense defending. Silva has also worked extensively on Diop's positioning, reducing the frequency of those costly lapses in concentration that plagued his West Ham career. This season, Diop has been directly at fault for just one goal—a dramatic improvement from his previous campaigns.
Fulham currently sit 9th in the Premier League with 48 points, their best position at this stage of a season since their return to the top flight. Their defensive record of 42 goals conceded in 30 matches represents a significant improvement from last season, and Diop's consistency has been central to that progress.
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United): The Swiss Army Knife
While Newcastle United's defensive struggles this season have been well-documented—particularly during their injury crisis in January and February—Fabian Schär has remained a model of consistency and versatility. The 32-year-old Swiss international has been asked to perform multiple roles within Eddie Howe's system, and he's delivered in each one with characteristic professionalism.
Versatility and Leadership
Schär has played as a right-sided center-back, a central center-back in a back three, and even as a makeshift right-back during Newcastle's injury crisis. This tactical flexibility, combined with his technical ability, makes him one of the Premier League's most valuable defensive assets. He's averaging 1.9 successful aerial duels per 90 minutes while also contributing 5.1 progressive passes per game—numbers that highlight his dual threat as both a defensive stopper and a progressive passer.
His long-range passing has been particularly valuable for Newcastle's counter-attacking system. Schär completes an average of 2.3 long passes per game into the final third, often bypassing opposition midfield lines and releasing Newcastle's pacey forwards—Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almirón, and Alexander Isak—into dangerous positions. This ability to transition play quickly has been crucial for a Newcastle side that thrives on vertical, direct football.
The Unsung Defensive Leader
Beyond the statistics, Schär's leadership qualities have been essential during a challenging season for Newcastle. With Sven Botman sidelined for much of the campaign and Jamaal Lascelles struggling with fitness, Schär has been the defensive organizer, constantly communicating, adjusting positions, and covering for teammates. His experience in multiple leagues—having played in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and England—provides him with a tactical sophistication that younger defenders lack.
Newcastle have conceded 48 goals in 30 matches this season, but context is crucial. During the 12 matches when Schär, Botman, and Dan Burn were all unavailable or playing through injury, Newcastle conceded 1.8 goals per game. In the 18 matches where Schär played the full 90 minutes alongside at least one of his preferred partners, that figure drops to 1.3 goals per game—a significant difference that underscores his importance to Newcastle's defensive structure.
Max Kilman (Wolves): The Quiet Captain
Max Kilman's journey from non-league football to Premier League captain is well-documented, but his performances this season deserve far greater recognition. Under Gary O'Neil's management, Wolves have transformed from relegation candidates to mid-table stability, and Kilman's defensive excellence has been the foundation of that remarkable turnaround.
Positional Mastery and One-on-One Excellence
Kilman's greatest strength is his positioning. He's been dribbled past just 0.6 times per 90 minutes this season—one of the lowest rates among Premier League center-backs who play for teams outside the traditional top six. This statistic reflects his exceptional reading of the game and his ability to position himself to cut off attacking threats before they develop into dangerous situations.
His defensive actions per 90 minutes—combining tackles, interceptions, and clearances—total 8.7, placing him in the top 20% of Premier League defenders. But it's the quality of these interventions that matters most. Kilman rarely commits fouls in dangerous areas (just 0.4 fouls per 90 minutes), demonstrating his discipline and technical proficiency in one-on-one situations.
The Organizational Lynchpin
As Wolves captain, Kilman's organizational skills have been crucial to their defensive improvement. Wolves are conceding 1.4 goals per game this season compared to 1.8 last season—a significant reduction that has translated directly into points. Their expected goals against (xGA) of 1.3 per game suggests they're not just getting lucky; they're genuinely defending better as a unit, with Kilman's leadership and communication central to that improvement.
Gary O'Neil has implemented a more compact defensive structure this season, asking his defenders to maintain tight spacing and cover for each other more effectively. Kilman has been the primary communicator of this system on the pitch, constantly adjusting his teammates' positions and ensuring defensive discipline. His partnership with Craig Dawson has provided Wolves with a solid foundation, allowing their creative players—Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto, and Hwang Hee-chan—to take risks in attacking areas.
Undervalued in the Transfer Market
Despite his consistent performances, Kilman remains undervalued in the transfer market. While defenders of similar age and ability command fees of £40-50 million, Kilman's estimated value sits around £25-30 million. This discrepancy reflects the broader tendency to underrate defenders who play for mid-table clubs, regardless of their individual quality. For Wolves, this represents excellent value; for Kilman, it's a reminder that consistent excellence doesn't always translate into widespread recognition.
Antonee Robinson (Fulham): The Relentless Engine
In modern football, the full-back position has evolved into one of the most demanding roles on the pitch, requiring elite athleticism, defensive discipline, and attacking contribution. Antonee Robinson embodies this evolution, delivering performances of remarkable consistency for Fulham while somehow remaining underappreciated in broader discussions of the Premier League's best defenders.
Defensive Tenacity and Athletic Excellence
Robinson's defensive statistics are exceptional for a full-back in a team that doesn't dominate possession. He's averaging 2.6 tackles per 90 minutes with a success rate of 71%, consistently winning his individual battles against opposition wingers. His recovery speed—clocked at 36.7 km/h this season, making him one of the fastest players in the Premier League—allows him to recover defensive positions even when caught upfield, providing Fulham with crucial insurance when transitions break down.
His one-on-one defending has been particularly impressive. Robinson has been dribbled past just 0.9 times per 90 minutes, a remarkable figure for a full-back who faces some of the Premier League's most dangerous wingers week after week. Whether defending against Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, or Luis Díaz, Robinson has consistently held his own, using his pace, positioning, and timing to neutralize threats.
The Complete Modern Full-Back
While Robinson's defensive work is excellent, his attacking contributions elevate him into a different category. He's providing 0.18 expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 25% of Premier League full-backs for creative output. His 2.8 progressive carries per game—dribbles that advance the ball significantly toward the opposition goal—demonstrate his ability to drive Fulham forward in transition.
Robinson's crossing has improved significantly this season, with a crossing accuracy of 28%—above the Premier League average for full-backs. More importantly, his crosses are dangerous, often delivered with pace and precision into areas where Fulham's attackers can capitalize. He's created 31 chances this season, contributing directly to Fulham's attacking threat down the left flank.
International Recognition Still Lacking
Despite his club form, Robinson remains somewhat underappreciated at international level. While he's a regular for the United States Men's National Team, his performances haven't generated the same level of acclaim as some of his American contemporaries playing in more glamorous positions. This reflects a broader bias toward attacking players in media coverage and individual awards, even as the importance of elite full-back play has never been greater.
Robinson's durability is another underrated aspect of his value. He's played 2,610 minutes across 29 Premier League appearances this season, missing just one match through injury. In an era where player availability is increasingly precious, Robinson's consistency and fitness provide Fulham with a reliable foundation on the left side of their defense.
Why These Defenders Deserve Greater Recognition
The undervaluation of these five defenders reflects several broader trends in football analysis and media coverage. First, there's an inherent bias toward attacking players and spectacular moments—goals, assists, and highlight-reel skills—that naturally disadvantages defenders whose best work often involves preventing things from happening rather than making them happen.
Second, defenders playing for mid-table clubs face a visibility problem. While every touch from a Manchester City or Arsenal defender is scrutinized and analyzed, consistent performances for Fulham, Wolves, or Nottingham Forest receive far less attention. This creates a feedback loop where lack of coverage leads to lack of recognition, which leads to continued undervaluation.
Third, modern defensive metrics are still evolving. While attacking statistics like expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) have become mainstream, defensive metrics remain more complex and less widely understood. Concepts like defensive actions, pressures, and positional value don't translate as easily into punditry and casual discussion, making it harder for defensive excellence to be recognized and celebrated.
Finally, there's the simple reality that defensive excellence is often most visible in its absence. When a defender performs consistently well, attacks are stopped before they become dangerous, and the game flows smoothly. It's only when defensive errors occur that attention focuses on the backline—a dynamic that inherently disadvantages consistent, reliable defenders who rarely make mistakes.
The Broader Implications
The undervaluation of these defenders has real consequences. For the players themselves, it means reduced transfer values, fewer individual accolades, and less recognition for their contributions. For their clubs, it means they can retain top-quality defenders at below-market rates, providing competitive advantages in squad building and financial planning.
For the broader football ecosystem, it perpetuates a narrative that undervalues defensive excellence and organizational quality in favor of individual attacking brilliance. This narrative influences everything from youth development priorities to tactical trends to media coverage, potentially skewing the sport's evolution in ways that diminish the appreciation for complete, well-rounded team performances.
As the 2025/26 season enters its final stretch, these five defenders will continue doing what they do best: defending with consistency, intelligence, and professionalism. Whether they receive the recognition they deserve remains to be seen, but their contributions to their teams' successes are undeniable. In a league obsessed with goals and glory, they represent the unglamorous excellence that makes football's most exciting moments possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Premier League defender "underrated" compared to simply being a good player?
An underrated defender is one whose performances consistently exceed their public recognition and perceived market value. This typically involves players who deliver elite-level statistics and tactical contributions but play for mid-table clubs, don't generate social media buzz, or perform roles that don't translate into highlight reels. For example, a defender who wins 70%+ of their duels, rarely makes errors, and provides organizational leadership but receives minimal media coverage or individual award consideration would be considered underrated. The gap between actual performance level and public/professional recognition is the key factor.
How do modern defensive metrics differ from traditional statistics like tackles and clearances?
Modern defensive metrics provide much deeper context than traditional statistics. While tackles and clearances measure defensive actions, they don't account for positioning that prevents attacks from developing, the quality of those interventions, or the risk context in which they occur. Advanced metrics like pressures (defensive actions that force opponents into mistakes), pass completion rates under pressure, progressive passes from defensive positions, and expected goals prevented (xG prevented) offer a more complete picture of defensive contribution. Additionally, metrics like "times dribbled past" and "error leading to shot/goal" provide better indicators of defensive reliability than raw tackle counts, which can actually indicate poor positioning if too high.
Why do defenders from mid-table clubs often receive less recognition than those from top-six teams?
Several factors contribute to this recognition gap. First, media coverage disproportionately focuses on top clubs, meaning fewer people watch mid-table defenders regularly. Second, defenders at top clubs often face less defensive pressure due to superior possession and territorial dominance, making their jobs appear easier and their occasional standout performances more visible. Third, top clubs' success in competitions generates more individual award nominations and international recognition for their players. Finally, there's a perception bias where performances for successful teams are weighted more heavily, even when individual defensive metrics suggest mid-table defenders are performing at similar or superior levels. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle where visibility drives recognition, which drives further visibility.
How important is a defender's passing ability in modern Premier League football?
Passing ability has become crucial for Premier League defenders, particularly in possession-based systems. Modern teams build attacks from the back, requiring defenders who can progress the ball through passing rather than just clearing danger. Defenders who complete 85%+ of their passes, make 4+ progressive passes per 90 minutes, and can break opposition pressing lines with accurate distribution provide enormous tactical value. This ability allows teams to maintain possession, bypass midfield pressure, and create numerical advantages in attacking areas. Teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Brighton have demonstrated how elite ball-playing defenders can transform a team's attacking efficiency. However, passing ability must be balanced with defensive fundamentals—a defender who can't defend one-on-one or position properly provides little value regardless of passing statistics.
What should fans look for when evaluating defensive performances beyond goals conceded?
Evaluating defenders requires looking beyond team-level statistics like goals conceded, which reflect entire defensive units and systems rather than individual quality. Key indicators include: (1) Duel success rates—both aerial and ground—which show one-on-one effectiveness; (2) Positioning and anticipation, visible through low "times dribbled past" statistics and high interception numbers; (3) Error rates, particularly errors leading to shots or goals; (4) Progressive passing and ball-carrying statistics, which indicate ability to contribute to build-up play; (5) Consistency across multiple matches rather than occasional standout performances; and (6) Performance context, including the quality of defensive partners, the team's overall defensive system, and the level of opposition faced. Watching how defenders position themselves off the ball, communicate with teammates, and recover from difficult situations provides insights that statistics alone cannot capture.