Fast forward to the late 1980s and early ’90s, and under Sir Bobby Robson, England enjoyed another golden, if ultimately trophyless, era with Des Walker and Terry Butcher\u2014two bloodied warriors and defensive titans from a bygone age\u2014at the heart of defence.<\/p>\n
The 2000s brought another elite partnership, this time in the form of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand\u2014two of the world\u2019s best centre-halves who anchored England\u2019s back line during a period that promised much but delivered little silverware.<\/p>\n
Ironically, in more recent years, despite Gareth Southgate overseeing arguably England<\/a>\u2019s most consistent spell of tournament performances, a reliable, top-tier centre back pairing is something they\u2019ve lacked. Had that final piece of the puzzle been in place, perhaps those runner-up finishes at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 might have ended differently.<\/p>\n Now, with Thomas Tuchel taking the reins and a new era underway, Sports Illustrated have ranked the German\u2019s current options at centre back.<\/p>\n Taylor Harwood-Bellis was a standout for Southampton in 2024\/25. \/ IMAGO\/News Images<\/p>\n Manchester City\u2019s academy has produced several standout talents in recent years\u2014many of whom have found success away from the Etihad. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, now at Southampton<\/a>, is one such example.<\/p>\n While Southampton endured a difficult 2024\u201325 campaign\u2014plagued by a leaky defence and ultimately ending in relegation\u2014Harwood-Bellis was a rare bright spot. Composed, mature, and consistently reliable, he often looked a level above those around him, clearly too good to be scrapping at the bottom of the table.<\/p>\n His potential hasn\u2019t gone unnoticed. Called up by interim boss Lee Carsley in November, Harwood-Bellis marked his England debut with a goal in a 5\u20130 win over the Republic of Ireland\u2014a promising sign of a bright international future ahead.<\/p>\n Fikayo Tomori has never been given a real chance with England. \/ Lucas Boland-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Usually, it’s only England’s rugby team that forbids players based abroad from representing the national side\u2014but Fikayo Tomori seems to be suffering from the same unwritten rule. Since moving to AC Milan in 2021, the centre back has been consistently overlooked.<\/p>\n Despite establishing himself as one of Serie A’s standout defenders\u2014no small feat in a league renowned for its defensive pedigree\u2014Tomori was barely given a look-in by Southgate, even when he played a key role in Milan\u2019s 2021\/22 Scudetto triumph.<\/p>\n Even Rio Ferdinand publicly criticised Southgate<\/a> for his continued exclusion. Let\u2019s hope Thomas Tuchel takes a different view because, if given the opportunity, Tomori has the tools to shine in an England shirt.<\/p>\n Branthwaite was superb for Everton in 2024\/25. \/ IMAGO\/Visionhaus<\/p>\n If Everton<\/a> were one thing in 2024\u201325\u2014under both Sean Dyche and later David Moyes\u2014they were incredibly tough to break down. They conceded the joint fourth-lowest number of goals in the Premier League and the fewest by some margin outside the top half.<\/p>\n Much of that resilience came down to their rock-solid centre back pairing of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite (though Jordan Pickford certainly deserves a shoutout too). While Tarkowski impressed in his own right, it was Branthwaite who truly stood out.<\/p>\n With his towering frame, physical presence, and calmness under pressure, the young defender looks equally comfortable defending deep or stepping up high on the halfway line. Despite having just one England cap to his name so far, he\u2019s firmly in the conversation for a regular spot\u2014especially if he continues his upward trajectory.<\/p>\n Harry Maguire has always been superb for England. \/ IMAGO\/PRiME Media Images<\/p>\n Harry Maguire may never be universally adored, but one thing’s certain\u2014he\u2019s never let England down when it matters most.<\/p>\n A mainstay of the national setup since the 2018 World Cup, Maguire has built a reputation for delivering when the stakes are high, whether through commanding defensive displays or clutch goals from set pieces. His absence from Euro 2024 due to a calf injury was a rare setback in an otherwise consistent international career.<\/p>\n With Southgate now gone, his future under Tuchel is uncertain. But given his proven record on the big stage, Maguire shouldn’t be written off just yet.<\/p>\n Dan Burn was handed his England debut by Tuchel. \/ IMAGO<\/p>\n Dan Burn certainly isn\u2019t the most glamorous name on this list, but his performances for Newcastle<\/a> over the past few seasons have been impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n In many ways, he\u2019s a throwback defender\u2014the type Walker and Butcher would be proud of. No-nonsense, fearless, and always willing to put his body on the line, Burn epitomises the old-school defensive spirit.<\/p>\n He\u2019s already been brought into the England fold since Tuchel took charge, and don\u2019t expect him to disappear from the conversation anytime soon.<\/p>\n Trevoh Chalobah had an impressive, but turbulent, 2024\/25 season. \/ IMAGO\/Pro Sports Images<\/p>\n You have to feel for Trevoh Chalobah. Just as he was beginning to establish himself at Chelsea<\/a>, he found himself surplus to requirements\u2014first under Mauricio Pochettino, then again under Enzo Maresca. The latter even placed him in his now-infamous \u201cbomb squad\u201d and shipped him out on loan to Crystal Palace.<\/a><\/p>\n Yet, less than six months later, it was Maresca who came calling again. After a hugely impressive spell at Selhurst Park, Chalobah was recalled as emergency cover, promptly registered an assist on his return, and went on to impress for the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n Now, with competition for places at Chelsea increasing again, Chalobah is in the fight of his life to prove his worth\u2014though perhaps not to Tuchel, who is very aware of what he can do.<\/p>\n John Stones has loads of England experience. \/ IMAGO\/Pro Sports Images<\/p>\n John Stones has been England\u2019s first-choice centre back for some time now. Calm and composed on the ball, thanks in large part to his development under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City<\/a>, he combines technical elegance with solid, tactically astute defending. At his best, few can match him in terms of ability.<\/p>\n However, a string of injuries and recent uncertainty around his best position at City have cast a shadow over his reputation. While that positional flux rarely impacted his performances for England in the past, it seemed to catch up with him at Euro 2024\u2014where he at times looked unsure, as if caught between systems. It was a struggle mirrored by his club teammate Phil Foden.<\/p>\n Still, with his talent and experience, Stones remains England\u2019s most gifted centre back. If Tuchel can unlock his best form again, and keep him fit, he\u2019ll undoubtedly continue to be a cornerstone of the Three Lions\u2019 defence.<\/p>\n Ezri Konsa is already a regular for England. \/ IMAGO\/Pressinphoto<\/p>\n Ezri Konsa\u2019s Aston Villa<\/a> teammate Tyrone Mings had previously been part of the England setup, but a long-term injury saw the left-footed defender fall out of contention.<\/p>\n In Mings\u2019 absence, Konsa stepped up in a big way at Villa Park\u2014reaching new heights in his performances, and many felt his first senior England call-up in November 2023 was long overdue.<\/p>\n Now firmly part of the Three Lions squad, Konsa\u2019s versatility has been a major asset. Just as he has done for Villa, he\u2019s shown his ability to slot in at right-back when required, which played a key role in his selection for Euro 2024.<\/p>\n Levi Colwill will be a big part of England’s future. \/ IMAGO\/News Images<\/p>\n Another Chelsea star, Levi Colwill, enjoyed the finest season of his career in 2024\u201325.<\/p>\n After a frustrating campaign under Mauricio Pochettino\u2014where he was often deployed at left-back and looked uncomfortable\u2014 he has thrived since being moved back to his natural centre back position by Enzo Maresca. The switch has paid off, with Colwill largely excelling at the heart of Chelsea\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n Composed on the ball, quick across the ground, physically dominant, and tactically sharp, Colwill combines defensive steel with progressive passing. Crucially, he\u2019s also left-footed\u2014a rare and valuable trait at the top level. He played a key role in Chelsea\u2019s Europa Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs<\/a>, notably keeping the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 and D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9 quiet in the latter\u2019s final against PSG.<\/p>\n The only thing still holding him back is a tendency for the occasional lapse in concentration, but those errors are becoming less frequent. If he continues on this trajectory, a starring role for England may not be far off.<\/p>\n Marc Guehi is England’s current best centre back. \/ IMAGO\/Crystal Pix<\/p>\n Marc Gu\u00e9hi stepped into the spotlight in Harry Maguire\u2019s absence at Euro 2024\u2014and he absolutely seized his opportunity.<\/p>\n Widely regarded as England\u2019s standout performer at the tournament, the Crystal Palace defender shut down some of the continent\u2019s top attackers with a perfect blend of no-nonsense, old-school defending and the calm, composed ball-playing qualities demanded of the modern game.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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