Top 10 Defenders to Watch In ISL 2025 – The Ultimate List

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The great walls of ISL are here. Let’s see who the most reliable defenders of the decade are. Choose your walls for League 11. 

You know what this reminds me of? That one scene from the movie “300” where all the Spartans shield against tens of thousands of enemies.

Watching this gives the same goosebumps as witnessing our defenders shield the opposition goal with all their might. These men are the “shield of faith” for the team. 

Looking back at the decade, the defenders are the most robust pillars, playing at the heavy price of even a slight misjudgment that can cost a whole goal. 

These masters of minutes hold the grave responsibility of stalling the entire opposing team. Their resistance shows persistence, and we can’t help but marvel at the guardians of football. 

Now that I am done obsessing over them, let’s get started with the list.

Disclaimer: The list is compiled data from Reddit, Youtube, Twitter, Quora, other football forums, and articles, as well as official ISL site rankings. We have also sprinkled a few of our personal biases. The pool may contain past players simply because their iconic history can’t be ignored. Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments section below. 

The Ultimate Wall Of Football: Saviours Of The Decade

We have analysed the stats based on clean sheets, interceptions, tackles, passes, blocks, recoveries, and more. These men have proven time and again that they are the most reliable backers for the team. Let’s celebrate the most underrated position in football with the league of Extraordinary Men. (In no particular order)

Miloš Drinčić (Kerala Blasters FC)

You don’t want to wake up the beast! His stats roar through the stadium with 5 clean sheets, 18 tackles, & 86 clearances in just 20 appearances. If you think you can surpass the passing king of 80% accuracy, then you are in the delulu land. He dominates the duel game with 72 wins with a rate of 40 passes per game. 

Do I need to say more on how much he has achieved in such a young age? Place your stakes on the aggressive defender.  

Míchel Zabaco (NorthEast United FC)

The seasoned Spanish player brought a whole new dimension to ISL with his flare with 92 clearances in just 21 appearances. He is the stallion with high stakes with a clean rep and steady stats. That’s a solid return-to-risk ratio we can bet on. 

Anwar Ali (East Bengal FC) 

The boy with humble beginnings has become the man of steel right before our eyes. 166 clearances is not a number that you tread lightly. His remarkable defence stance earned him 16 clean sheets and counting. 

His experience echoes how sensations are not created overnight. Ali is the star that shines bright in all seasons. 

Hamza Regragui (NorthEast United FC)

The tall Moroccan wall will give it back like a lightning force. His passing accuracy of 74% is the wild card when the team is in trouble. Even with his brief appearance, he has quickly become a breakout star through his sheer persistence. 

Mehtab Singh (Mumbai City FC)

The word is relentless. There are no cracks in this wall with 84% passing accuracy and 192 clearances. Singh is the backbone of the team every time it falters. He can change the game in his favour with 194 duels, 33 tackles won, and 76 interceptions. 

No matter how many amazing stats are stated, you must witness his steadfastness to realise his true value. 

Hormipam Ruivah (Kerala Blasters FC)

This young lot is a different breed altogether. Ruivah is definitely a player to watch out for. As underrated he is, he never backed down from an attack. Even with brief appearances, he has proven his record with 41 passes/game and 75% passing accuracy. 1455 successful passes and 174 clearances– seems like the odds are always in his favour. 

It’s Ruivah’s world and we are just living in it. 

Sandesh Jhingan (FC Goa)

He is the moment! I can go on about his exceptional stats, but never in my most descriptive vocabulary can I describe his performance on the field. If you want a story about never giving up, then you get much more with Jhingan. From being awarded AIFF to becoming the captain of the Indian National team, his credentials speak volumes as a wall that falls and builds himself back. 

Ryan Edwards (Chennaiyin FC)

One does not simply join one season and already win our hearts. Not everyone is Ryan Edwards. His phenomenal performance is a holy book for the upcoming players about the precision and brilliance of being a shield.  

Héctor Yuste (East Bengal FC)

This was by far the best decision by ISL to get Yuste on board. The Spaniard guardian reinvented how we were used to watching defence strategy in ISL.

With simply 25 appearances he has managed to accumulate 8 clean sheets at the rate of 44 passes/game with a staggering accuracy of 87%. 

Yuste is single-handedly a four-wall man. His defence can leave the opposing team in tears. 

Carlos Delgado (Odisha FC)

 A name synonymous with “every minute counts!” ISL clocked Delgado for 5128 minutes, and with every moment he created history. 194 clearances, 55 tackles, and 202 duels won with 84% passing accuracy– Delgado is the jack of all trades of defence. 

Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC)

Bheke is the epitome of “do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Coming from humble beginnings, even dreaming is considered a privilege. But Bheke proved that with his remarkable ISL history, anybody can dream as long as you are ready to pay with determination and consistency. 

49 clean sheets, 167 tackles & 569 duels won, and 234 interceptions with 83% passing accuracy… Bheke is the name etched in history. 

Akash Mishra (Mumbai City FC)

Not gonna lie– watching an Indian with the right balance of aggression and stoicism is an inherent dopamine. 170 clearances and 141 interceptions is a poised evidence of dominating humbly. This young lad has mastered what takes years to even understand– remain grounded and the ground will respect you back. 

The crowd-favourite has a long way to go and we are here to witness the journey, already being validated with AIFF as the emerging player. 

Laldinpuia PC (Chennaiyin FC)

Had it not been for the fan threads and football forums, Laldinpuia would remain a fairly underrated name. Success is not just about greatness, it’s also about carving a trajectory of improvement. The man has become an inspiration for all who feel the journey is better than the destination, as he constantly showed remarkable performances every season. With 5 clean sheets under his credit, the center-back defender is a resistance that can change currents.  

Odei Onaindia (FC Goa)

Speaking of legends, how can Odei not be in a discussion about defenders? The seasoned player is one of the best in clearances with 268 under his credit. 2283 successful passes with 82% accuracy is the only maths I understand. But to really fathom the depth of his greatness, you have to witness him live in action. His interceptions can make you jump from the edge of your seat. 

Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG)

Say the name….with all your might, coz Bose is the pride. He is a pillar for the India National Football team. 

But Bose’s chronicles in ISL are a whole different story. With the highest clean sheets (50) until now on this list, his unprecedented 224 interceptions and 834 duels won is like the “crouching tiger, hidden dragon” all in one man. 

Jay Gupta (FC Goa)

Coming back to young blood, Gupta is one player to watch out for this season. He has already exhibited precision with 43 passes/game at 75% passing accuracy– definitely not to be underestimated. 

Gupta is not just a breakout star but also a dedicated chap who isn’t afraid to dish it out among the experienced players. 

José Luis Espinosa Arroyo aka Tiri (Mumbai City FC)

As football fans, we need to realise one thing– being the main character is not necessarily the best attitude in the game. A defender has to ensure that he is guarding the team, which may also mean that they can slip under the radar of popularity. However, Tiri is one such teammate that you want by your side to rely on when it gets chaotic. As a defender, he has mastered passes with 4277 successful ones, yielding 38 clean sheets in his ISL journey.  

Amey Ranawade (Odisha FC)

Adding another emerging star in the mix, I am eager to see how Ranawade shines this season. His stats with 81% passing accuracy make him Mr. dependable when it comes to avoiding conceded goals. 1490 successful passes in just 61 appearances is beyond the expected for a right-back defender, as he subverts the expectations that only attackers can be star players. 

Marco leskovic (Kerala Blasters FC)

I know you have been waiting for this name. If you are talking about legendary defenders and Leskovic is not mentioned, then it’s a disservice to the integrity of the game. 

Straight from the cold streets of Croatia, Leskovic is the cool-headed player who controls the other team with his gameplay. Everyone, including his own team members, has to be hypervigilant coz when Leskovic kicks back, it’s nothing less than iconic. If you doubt this, there are hours of footage of his incredible interceptions and partnerships. 

Here you have foot-folks… the pool of legends. What would you consider the required characteristics for a reliable defender? Which player on the list had the most astounding performance arch? Which players would you like to add to the list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Choose your defenders who you would want in your league 11. Let’s see which players emerge on top. 

Also, don’t forget to browse the other listicles to complete your dream team as shown below.  

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