As the football season progresses, the search is on for the best young defenders to look out for in 2023. Who has been tipped to break into the top 10 by pundits? And who should you be keeping tabs on? In this article, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most promising young defenders to break in 2023 and making sure that your team has an edge over their opponents in upcoming competitions.
Why finding the best young defenders are so important
As the game of football has progressed, so too has the importance of having a strong defense. In the modern game, teams are built from the back and the best young defenders are vital to any team’s success.
Defenders are now required to be much more than just shot-stoppers and tackle-makers; they are expected to possess good passing ability and be comfortable in possession. This is why finding the best young defenders is so important; they are the building blocks of a successful team.
There are a number of factors to consider when assessing a young defender; their physical attributes, technical ability, and tactical understanding all play a part. Here, we take a look at some of the best young defenders in world football and what makes them stand out from the crowd.
We’ve put together this table that summarises the best U23 Prospects, listed by;
| Name | Age | POS | Team | SR :Listed | Rare ETH Price | Our Rating |
| Alphonso Davies D, M (L) | 22 | DF | Bayern | y | 2 | 85 |
| Josko Gvardiol D (CL) | 20 | DF | RB Leipzig | y | 0.7 | 85 |
| William Saliba D (C) | 21 | DF | Arsenal | y | 1.1 | 83 |
| Jules Kounde D (C) | 22 | DF | Barcelona | y | 0.74 | 81 |
| Marc Guéhi D (C) | 22 | DF | Crystal Palace | n | 1.9 | 80 |
| Benoît Badiashile D (C) | 21 | DF | Monaco | y | 0.8 | 80 |
| Sergiño Dest D (RL), M (R) | 22 | DF | Milan | y | 0.77 | 79 |
| Nuno Mendes D, M, AM (L) | 20 | DF | PSG | y | 1.49 | 78 |
| Wesley Fofana D (C) | 22 | DF | Chelsea | y | 1.4 | 75 |
| Ryan Sessegnon M (RL), D (L) | 22 | DF | Tottenham | y | 1.26 | 75 |
| Manu Sánchez D, M, AM (L) | 22 | DF | Osasuna | y | 0.8 | 73 |
| Mohamed Simakan D (CR) | 22 | DF | RB Leipzig | y | 0.85 | 70 |
Let’s dive in and take a deeper look at everything from their skill sets and strengths to how they fit into potential lineups and formations
Alphonso Davies 
RNDM RATING – 85/100
| PRO | CON |
| – Plays regularly for Bayern Munich and regular high-scoring contributions against weaker opposition | – One of the more popular players on Sorare and as a result expensive |
| – Scores well, consistent performer, international USA | – plays in a competitive team but is a regular starter currently |
Alphonso Davies is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a fullback for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and the Canadian national team. Alphonso Davies was born on November 2, 2000, in Edmonton, Alberta, to Liberian parents. He grew up in the suburb of Dickenson Narrows and began playing soccer at an early age.
Alphonso Davies made his debut for the Whitecaps first team in 2016 and became the youngest player to score in Major League Soccer when he scored against Orlando City SC. In 2018, Davies signed a contract with Bayern Munich for a then-MLS record transfer fee of $22 million.
Alphonso Davies is known for his pace, dribbling ability, and crossing ability. He has been described as “one of the most exciting young players in world football.”
Josko Gvardiol 
RNDM RATING – 85/100
| PRO | CON |
| – Plays regularly for RB Leipzig | – One of the more popular players on Sorare and as a result expensive |
| – Scores well, consistent performer, strong team, international utility | – Has a big transfer on the cards, some uncertainty |
Josko Gvardiol is one of the best young defenders in Europe right now. The Croatian international has been impressing for Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian First League and has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Gvardiol is a tall, physical defender who is excellent in the air. He is also a very good ball-player and is comfortable bringing the ball out from the back. Gvardiol has already made 9 appearances for Croatia’s senior team and looks to have a bright future ahead of him.
William Saliba 
RNDM RATING – 83/100
| PRO | CON |
| – Plays regularly for Arsenal and has now grabbed his spot in the France team | – One of the more popular players on Sorare and as a result expensive and has a limited supply |
| – Tipped to be a future regular for France | – scores well on AA scores but lacks devices |
William Saliba is one of the hottest prospects in world football. The 22-year-old Frenchman is a powerful and composed center-back who has already attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019 for a fee of £27 million. He was immediately impressed with his physicality and aerial ability and was thrown into the first team for the final few games of the season.
Despite his tender years, Saliba looks like he could be a future Arsenal captain. He has all the attributes to be a top-class defender, and he is already showing maturity beyond his years.
Jules Kounde 
RNDM RATING – 81/100
| PRO | CON |
| – Plays regularly for Barcelona and has cemented a place in the France team | – One of the more popular players on Sorare and as a result expensive |
| – Tipped to be a future Number 1 for France and has many seasons ahead of utility | – plays in a rotation squad. Uncertainty over selection |
Jules Kounde is one of the hottest young prospects in world football. The 20-year-old Frenchman has been impressing for Spanish side Sevilla since breaking into the first team in 2018.
Kounde is a stylish and elegant defender, who is comfortable both on the ball and in the air. He has excellent technical ability, and is also a very good reader of the game.
Sevilla signed Kounde from Bordeaux in 2018 for a fee of around €20 million, and he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe. He was named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season for 2019/20, and has also been called up to the France national team.
Kounde still has some developing to do, but he looks like an outstanding talent, and one who could go on to become one of the best defenders in the world.
Benoît Badiashile. 
RNDM RATING – 80/100
| PRO | CON |
| – Plays regularly for Chelsea although has recently gained his place | – One of the more popular players on Sorare and has limited supply |
| – Scores well, consistent and flexible, bags of future potential | – Chelse form currently is uncertain |
Badiashile is a French center-back who currently plays for AS Monaco. He made his senior debut for the club in 2018 and has since made over 50 appearances in all competitions. Badiashile has also represented France at U16, U17, and U19 level.
Badiashile is a tall and physically imposing center-back who is excellent in the air. He is also a very good reader of the game and is comfortable playing out from the back. Badiashile still needs to work on his decision-making and can be guilty of rushing into tackles. However, he has all the attributes to be a top class defender and has already shown that he has the potential to be a future star for both club and country.
The best of the rest – the best young defenders outside the mainstream
There are a number of other young defenders who have shown promise in recent years. Here are some of the best of the rest:
- Goncalo Inacio
- Jeremie Frimpong
- Castello Lukeba
- Anel Ahmedhodžić
- Félix Nzouango
- Micky van de Ven
Conclusion
The long and short of it is that 2023 looks set to be a banner year for young defenders in football, with some of the most exciting talent ever seen taking up defensive positions across Europe. We’ve examined some of the best prospects on offer today, from breakthrough talents to promising newcomers. Combining great young defenders with great young goalkeepers is also a great strategy, check out our article here too.
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However, how you choose to build your team’s defense, this guide can help make sure you have the very best players at your disposal. Here’s hoping 2023 will be full of success for these young stars!