The exciting Premier League tournament is well underway, and each season, the audience gets to experience impressive performances from all the top-rated English clubs. Analyzing the prestigious tournament as it occurs is the best way to look for improvements or disappointments in players, clubs, and managers. Matchweek five definitely did not disappoint, and the clubs kept fans on their feet. Liverpool currently dominates the table with 14 points, and Manchester City is close behind. The Reds are determined to score another Premier League title after 2019’s success, and their hard-earned victory against the Eagles at Anfield certainly displays it. We’ve also seen quite a few defensive performances during the week in clubs like Wolves, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Southampton — not to mention the last two’s impressive clean sheets on Saturday. Although we expect loads of twists and turns that might transpire in the coming weeks, we have chosen our top three defenders for match week five and hope to see more from them as the season progresses.
3. Matty Cash – Aston Villa
Cash arrived at Aston Villa in September 2020 and was congratulated by former teammate Jack Grealish for scoring his first goal for the club. Aston Villa beat Everton 3-0 on Saturday evening, and Matty Cash did the honors of scoring the opening goal.
He was one of the star performers for his side and made an excellent run from the right-hand side, firing his shot past Begovic. The right-winger is one of Aston Villa’s most solid defenders and won seven duels and four aerial duels throughout the game. Grealish also took note of the impressive performance and cheered his former teammate on: “Well done brother, deserved that”
2. Kristoffer Ajer – Brentford
Ajer was one of Brentford’s summer transfers, and it looks like they made a good call over the former Celtic lad. The Norwegian defender was integral to Brentford’s surprise victory over Wolves, despite the Bees playing the second-half with merely ten men. Transferred for a fee of $17 million, Ajer has only impressed so far and seems to cooperate well with Pontus Jansson and Ethan Pinnock. Brentford coach Thomas Frank was clearly right when he offered the five-year contract as Ajer is a brilliant defender. Speaking to the club’s website, he said: “Kris is very composed and can find the right passes between the lines. His level when bringing the ball forward is very high. As a defender, he has the physicality that you need, and he won his duels when he played in the Scottish league. He can help us in both boxes, with his strength in the air. “He is a player at a good age, and we think he comes straight in and be ready to perform in the Premier League. But he also fits the way we want to recruit players and work with them. He can develop as a player and both Brentford FC and Kris can move to a higher level in the coming years.”
1. Thiago Silva – Chelsea
After winning the Champions League 2020/21, Chelsea looks determined to bag some Premier League silverware this season. Under Thomas Tuchel’s management, the team has a fresh and renewed energy and is simply smashing it lately. It is reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s era at Chelsea, who is hailed one of the Greatest English Club Managers according to Sportingbet. He won the Premier League title in 2004 in each of his first two seasons and secured a third during his second spell at the club. Mirroring Chelsea’s solid image, Thiago Silva is at the height of his defensive career lately. His stunning performance against Spurs, in which he intercepted the ball thrice, is why he is our top-rated defender of the week.