Ranking the top 12 best EFL Championship centre-backs so far this season | OneFootball

FLW has looked at the best centre-backs across the Championship's first 15 games

The Championship is currently home to several standout centre-backs at varying stages of their careers, with some earning plenty of plaudits for their performances so far this season.

With the second-tier currently in the midst of a two-week fixture break due to the November internationals, many managers and players - if they aren't on duty for their respective nations - will be utilising such time to reflect on their performances thus far, as several clubs have started the season either matching the expectations placed on their shoulders, or in some cases, have severely underperfomed in relation to those.

The job of a defender in the modern game has changed drastically in recent years, with many expected to boast strong ball-playing ability to compliment the styles of play adapted by several managers, along with their defensive nous and aerial prowess.

With that being said, there are numerous players in this department of the pitch who have caught the eye across the opening 15 games of the Championship season, and Football League World has ranked the 12 best performers who feature at the heart of their club's defence.

Kickstarting this list is Rob Atkinson of Bristol City, who is currently one of several absentees for Gerhard Struber.

However, a hamstring issue shouldn't take away from what was an impressive 13-game stint at the beginning of the season, which included a goal against Ipswich and a tidy assist for Sinclair Armstrong against Birmingham City.

Despite being absent from the past two games, the 27-year-old remains within the top 10 percent of Championship players when it comes to tackles and duels won, as well as having a strong percentage when it comes to winning aerial battles, highlighting his prior consistency.

11 ? ? Ben Wilmot

Aside from the heroics of Viktor Johansson, the just-as experienced Ben Wilmot has been a key influence behind Stoke City's strong start under Mark Robins.

Of course, the 26-year-old has, occasionally, dipped below-par in the opening 15 games. But, putting up numbers such as 68 recoveries and 73 duels won has aided what still remains as the division's best defensive record, with the Potters conceding just 10 times across the first three months of the campaign.

10 ? ? Charlie Hughes

Charlie Hughes has been one of several impressive figures in Hull City's unexpected play-off bid under Sergej Jakirovic, with the 22-year-old continuing his upward trajectory at the MKM Stadium.

Whilst the Tigers have only kept three clean sheets thus far, the Wigan-born man has remained largely composed at the heart of defence when it comes to winning battles and his distribution, which was evidenced through a stunning assist for Joe Gelhardt in the 3-2 success over Portsmouth, as well as leading the way in terms of blocks per 90 in the division.

9 ? ? Lloyd Jones

Charlton Athletic's strong start has been built on defensive foundations, with Lloyd Jones picking up exactly where he left off in League One for the Addicks.

The former Liverpool man was named in the third-tier Team of the Season and has started this season with an impressive run of form, which sees him currently posting the third-best average in terms of clearances per 90 and the fourth-best number for interceptions on average in comparison to his centre-back counterparts across the Championship.

8 ? ? Dara O'Shea

Ipswich Town were able to retain the services of Dara O'Shea this summer amid links of a Premier League return, with the Tractor Boys captain recently instrumental in an upsurge in form at Portman Road.

The Republic of Ireland international was rewarded with his first Town goal in a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough last month, and has performed at a high standard of late, particularly when it comes to winning aerial battles and recovery tackles.

If such form continues, the Tractor Boys could soon be in the position which many expected in pre-season, which is to achieve promotion immediately.

7 ? ? Jannik Vestergaard

It has been more of a mixed start for Leicester City, and one which could have been worse, were it not for the defensive nous of Danish international, Jannik Vestergaard.

The 33-year-old has been a composed figure for the Foxes, showcased by his ability to play out from the back under pressure, as well as his aerial dominance which has been a useful weapon in an attacking sense for Marti Cifuentes, with goals coming against Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.

Preston North End are another side who continue to defy the odds, with the presence of Jordan Storey certainly helping Paul Heckingbottom from a defensive point of view.

The 28-year-old has made a remarkable number of 22 interceptions thus far, and has also, like many others on this list, been a domineering figure by ensuring he has won the vast proportion of his ground and aerial battles against opposition attackers, with the Lilywhites looking transformed thanks to several tweaks within their three-back system.

5 ? ? Tristan Crama

Despite starting the campaign at right-back, Tristan Crama has excelled at centre-back for Millwall alongside Jake Cooper from September onwards following Japhet Tanganga's move to Sheffield United.

The Frenchman continues to look a bargain pickup for the Lions after moving from Brentford, which has also seen him earn praise from West Bromwich Albion captain, Jed Wallace, due to his calmness in possession as well as the intimidation the combined unit of he and Cooper provide, particularly during encounters at The Den.

4 ? ? Christoph Klarer

Birmingham City's season has been mixed thus far, but the same cannot be said about the performance levels of newly-appointed captain, Christoph Klarer.

The Austrian was viewed as League One's best defender by some distance last term, and such form has carried over into this season, as he begins to form another strong partnership with summer addition, Phil Neumann.

At 6"3, the former Southampton figure is rarely beaten in the air, and has continuously shown the composure to step into midfield with the ball in order to start attacks, evidenced by the fact he has averaged the most accurate passes per 90 in the Championship after 15 games.

3 ? ? Dael Fry

Kickstarting the top three is Middlesbrough's homegrown captain, Dael Fry, who has been a revelation for the North East side thus far.

Last season, the 28-year-old saw his campaign ravaged by injury issues, before returning to fitness in the final weeks of Michael Carrick's tenure.

Former Boro boss, Rob Edwards, was certainly the beneficiary of a fit and firing Fry from the get-go this time around though, with the dominant figure setting the tone with an opening-day strike against Swansea City, before scoring his second of the campaign in an emotion-filled encounter against Birmingham on November 8th.

blocks per 90, forming a strong back three alongside Luke Ayling and Alfie Jones.