Four Promising Centre-Backs To Watch in 2025
There’s a new wave of young, battle-hardened center backs who are making a name for themselves in European football and staking their claim in the footballing elite. Today, we’re taking a look at four young center backs who are destined for stardom.
Four Centre-Backs To Watch In 2025
Name: Abdukadir Khusanov, Age -21
Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Uzbekistan
It has been nothing short of a meteoric rise for Abdukadir Khusanov. After developing in Uzbekistan and spending 16 months with Bulgarian side Energetik-BKU, Khusanov would make the move to France in the summer of 2023, joining Ligue 1 side Lens. Over the next year, Khusanov would become the first Uzbek to play in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, as well as the youngest Uzbek to compete in the UEFA Champions League, and represent his country in the AFC Asian Cup and the Olympic Games.
Khusanov looked set to start the 2024/25 season as a rotation player behind Kevin Danso, Jonathan Gradit and Facundo Medina, only for Danso’s €25 million move to Roma be scuppered after the cardiologist spotted a minor, harmless scarring on his heart during the medicals. Whilst Danso recovered, Khusanov would cement a starting spot in the back three thanks to his blistering pace, his ability to split the lines with his incisive passing, and his full-throttle slide tackles. He compensated for his slight 6’1” frame with a stellar ability to progress the ball forward with inch-perfect switches of play, a speed that enables him to correct his and other defenders’ positioning and get back in time to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity, an a brilliant anticipation which saw him average 2.0 interceptions per 90, the third-most in Ligue 1. Khusanov staked a claim for himself as one of the best defenders in France’s top-flight and earned the interest of various English sides, with defending champions Manchester City winning the race for €40 million.
Five days after joining City, Khusanov became the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League on January 25. It was a nightmare debut for the youngster, who received an early booking after coughing up possession in a dangerous area and attempting to correct his mistake. However, his biggest error came in the third minute: rather than play a simple back to his goalkeeper with his feet, he made a pathetic attempt at a headed pass and enabled Nicolas Jackson to pick it up and fire a cross towards Noni Madueke, who broke the deadlock. By the time that he was hauled off after 54 minutes, Khusanov had delivered a Premier League debut that will live on in infamy.
One month later, Khusanov is proving that you can’t judge a book by its cover. The Uzbek youngster has been arguably City’s most reliable defender over the past few months, capable of beating his man for pace and holding his own in physical duels. City have been conspicuously lacking in speed and aggression at the back, and Khusanov’s ability to cover ground has helped them execute a higher line and play with more confidence. Moreover, he’s proving to be more and more composed and less eager to go to ground and commit a risky slide tackle. Khusanov’s confidence on the ball allows him to take on players and find teammates with an incisive pass, but his confidence off the ball is what could very well see him become one of the best center backs of his generation.
Name: Piero Hincapié- Age 23
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Nationality: Ecuador
There are more than a few question-markers in Bayer Leverkusen’s defense. It remains to be seen whether or not vice captain Jonathan Tah will renew his contract, with the German international being linked with a free transfer to Barcelona, whilst Nordi Mukiele and Mario Hermoso are expected to return to their parent clubs after their loan spells. However, one thing’s for sure: Piero Hincapié isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The Ecuadorian defender penned a new contract until 2029 in December, the perfect end to the perfect year. After cutting his teeth in Argentina and Ecuador, Hincapié took his talents to Germany where he quickly became a key figure in defense. He took his game to the next level under Xabi Alonso, excelling at the back as Die Werkself won their first-ever Bundesliga title, claimed the DFB-Pokal to end a 31-year trophy drought, and came within inches of the UEFA Europa League title.
Capable of operating as a center back or left back, Hincapié’s tenacity and ability to make a split-decision allows him to snuff out danger and come away with the ball without conceding a costly foul. However, his real moneymaker is his skill in possession: he’s the ultimate ball-playing defender, someone who’s always confident and front-footed and looking to advance the ball into the final third even if it’s a slightly risky option. He backs himself on and off the ball, with his positional discipline and physical prowess enabling Álex Grimaldo to push forward into the left flank whilst he focuses on cleaning up danger and putting in a robust, well-timed tackle.
Hincapié has established himself as a vital figure for both club and country, being named to the Copa América Team of the Tournament last summer, and there’s reason to believe that he will continue to prove instrumental for Ecuador as they look to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Name: Murillo – Age 22
Club: Nottingham Forest
Nationality: Brazil
Last season, it was Bayer Leverkusen who took world football by storm after winning an unbeaten domestic double. This season, that title belongs to Nottingham Forest. After narrowly avoiding relegation in their first two seasons in the top-flight, Forest currently sit third in the Premier League and are on track to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 44 years. They’ve done so thanks to a stalwart backline featuring the likes of Ola Aina, Nikola Milenković, Neco Williams and goalkeeper Matz Sels. However, one of their most important members in defense has been Murillo.
After impressing for Corinthians, Murillo earned a move to Forest for €12 million with an additional €3 million in bonuses. Despite barely having a full season of senior football under his belt, Murillo made a seamless transition from Brazil to England and was able to oust veteran performers like Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall and become one of the first names on the team sheet. And after winning the club’s Player of the Season award, Murillo has taken his performances to the next level this season under Nuno Espírito Santo.
His silky footwork enables him to absorb the pressure and dribble forward to aid his team in the build-up, oozing confidence whilst going forward and freeing up space for his teammates to attack. He can pinpoint a pass to perfection and meet his target with a perfectly weighted through ball, dismantling an opposing defense by a delightfully choreographed pass in behind. And even at such a tender young age, Murillo constantly sets an example for his teammates and is their captain without the armband, proving an authoritative presence and getting tight to his opponents so that they don’t have freedom to turn and fashion a shooting opportunity.
Murillo’s diligence and perseverance allows him to snuff out opportunities and respond to danger at a moment’s notice. He is forceful in tackles and will make sure that his opponents have to deal with his brutish physique whilst going forward. He times his tackles to perfection and is capable of shifting his positioning and keeping a watchful eye on his opponent thanks to his low center of gravity and concentration. Having led Forest to a legendary underdog run, it’s only a matter of time before Brazil manager Dorival Júnior hands him a maiden call-up.
Name: Ilya Zabarnyi – Age 22
Club: Bournemouth
Nationality: Ukraine
If Nottingham Forest are the breakout stars of the 2024/25 season, Bournemouth surely aren’t far behind. The Cherries sit seventh in the Premier League table and have a chance of qualifying for European football for the first time ever, and they’ll be taking on Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
One player who has proven vital is Ilya Zabarnyi. Since joining from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, Zabarnyi has emerged as a leader in central defense, whose aerial prowess allows him to challenge for headers and make himself a nuisance whilst attacking set-pieces. When Bournemouth are searching for a goal, Zabarnyi has the composure and vision to play out from the back, bypass the press, and find teammates in advanced areas. When they’re protecting a lead, Zabarnyi is a brick wall, remaining poised and undaunted as they deal with attacking onslaughts.
He’s skilled at outmuscling or outwitting opponents in 1v1 situations, who has the stance and positioning to keep his man at a disadvantage. Zabarnyi is a proactive defender who has the anticipation and intelligence to step off his line and intercept passes before they can fully develop into attacking opportunities. His strong tackling and reading of the game has seen him become integral in Bournemouth’s high line, allowing them to suffocate their opponent into their own half and win the ball back on the halfway line. Between him and Dean Huijsen, Bournemouth boast a central defensive duo that is rivalled by precious few teams in England.
Zabarnyi has emerged as a vital cog at the Vitality Stadium thanks to his fearlessness in duels and ability to sweep up danger, and he’s not only helping transform Bournemouth’s fortunes, but helping to give hope to a beleaguered nation. Alongside the likes of Vitaliy Mykolenko, Valeriy Bondar and Artem Smolyakov, he looks set to play a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense for the next decade.
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