One big star is ahead in SIX categories with PL's best centre backs head-to-head

It's been a busy week for Tottenham in the transfer window, with Ange Postecoglou's side having signed both Timo Werner on loan from Red Bull Leipzig before also snapping up Radu Dragusin from Genoa.

Spurs beat off competition from German powerhouses Bayern Munich to land the defender, completing a £25million deal to sign him on Thursday evening.

On Friday, Postecoglou insisted that both Dragusin and Werner would be 'good fits' for what Tottenham are trying to build, with the 6ft 2in defender being a physical and aerial presence in the backline, but also possesses an impressive technical ability.

So how does he stack up against other defenders currently playing in the Premier League?

Squawka have compared his Serie A stats to those of defenders Ruben Dias, William Saliba, Ezri Konsa and Ibrahima Konate in the Premier League this season and there is one player who is streaks ahead of the rest.

Dragusin pips the others when it comes to Areial duel success percentage, clearances made and interceptions per 90 minutes. But he ranks lowest for tackles made and forward passess produced.

Comparitively, Liverpool star Konate, is the pick of the five defenders, leading the way in six different categories including ball recoveries made, long passes attempted and forward passes made per 90.

He also ranks top for tackles made, aerial duels won and blocks made, giving evidence to the exceptional season he's been having for Jurgen Klopp's side so far this season.

Konate has made 14 appearances for Liverpool during the 2023-24 campaign, notably starting in nine of those games and delivered an excellent performance during their recent 2-0 FA Cup victory against Arsenal.

Back in October, Konate vowed to be come 'better' than his team-mate Virgil van Dijk and he certainly is well on the way to doing that.

He is notably way ahead of his competitors in several categories, winning just under one aerial duel more than Dragusin per match.

Saliba, who has returned to action for Arsenal this season has made 20 appearances in the Premier League, but only ranks top in one category alongside Konate for ball recoveries made.

Aston Villa star Konsa, meanwhile is the best long ball player of the five and surpasses his peers winning a whopping 81 per cent of the ground duels he competes in.

But Dias is the one player of the quintet who does not rank top of any of the categories, despite coming close in interceptions made per 90, forward passes produced and long pass accuracy.

With the Premier League set to get back underway this weekend, Konate said he was relishing the challenge that lays ahead of Liverpool who are now chasing four trophies.

'It's hard to play a lot of games but we love it,' he said to the BBC. 'We did it two years ago, we won two cups.

'I hope this season is different [win more]. Fingers crossed.'