Best Centre-Backs in the World (Jun 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: World Centre-Backs 2023-24
Our database tracked 997 World Centre-Backs in the 2023-24 season, representing 669 clubs with a combined market value of €2.0B. The average market value for World Centre-Backs was €2.0M, with the average age at 26.9 years old.
The most valuable centre-back in the World was Dean Huijsen, worth €70.0M and played for Real Madrid at 21 years old. The top 5 Centre-Backs averaged €53.0M in market value, including Leny Yoro and Murillo.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked centre-back was Honest Ahanor (18 years, Atalanta BC, €25.0M), while the oldest was Raúl Albiol (40 years, Pisa Sporting Club, €800K). Research shows Centre-Backs typically peak at age 27.
Historical analysis showed 438 Centre-Backs (44%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The World market for Centre-Backs remained highly competitive with significant transfer activity in the 2023-24 season.
💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Explore Market Size by Position in World
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all World Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 669 clubs with €2.0B combined value.
Age Distribution: World Centre-Backs
The World CB market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (340 players, 34% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €761.4M, averaging €3.2M per player.
Top Centre-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (86 players)
21-23 Years (240 players)
24-26 Years (165 players)
27-29 Years (166 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 100 Centre-Backs (10% of players) control €1.3B
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with elite (€50m+) tier representing 0% of the World CB pool.
Elite (€50M+)
Premium (€30-50M)
High (€15-30M)
Club Distribution: World Centre-Backs
Among 669 World clubs, Real Madrid leads with 4 Centre-Backs worth €116.0M (averaging €29.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 2% of tracked Centre-Backs.
Real Madrid (4 Centre-Backs)
Manchester United (3 Centre-Backs)
Nottingham Forest (3 Centre-Backs)
Sporting CP (1 Centre-Backs)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Dean Huijsen
Real Madrid • 21 years old
€60.5M
€70.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €80.3M
93.3
Leny Yoro
Manchester United • 20 years old
€47.6M
€55.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €65.6M
87.0
Murillo
Nottingham Forest • 23 years old
€47.6M
€55.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €61.3M
83.8
Ousmane Diomande
Sporting CP • 22 years old
€38.9M
€45.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €49.6M
74.4
Luka Vuskovic
Hamburger SV • 19 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €49.6M
71.9
Abdukodir Khusanov
Manchester City • 22 years old
€30.3M
€35.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €38.6M
64.8
Vitor Reis
Girona FC • 20 years old
€25.9M
€30.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €34.4M
56.4
Raúl Asencio
Real Madrid • 23 years old
€25.9M
€30.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €32.1M
56.0
Joel Ordóñez
Club Brugge KV • 22 years old
€24.2M
€28.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €29.6M
53.6
Honest Ahanor
Atalanta BC • 18 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €30.9M
51.3
Giovanni Leoni
Liverpool FC • 19 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €29.8M
51.2
Finn Jeltsch
VfB Stuttgart • 19 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €29.8M
51.1
Renato Veiga
Villarreal CF • 22 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €26.5M
50.9
Konstantinos Koulierakis
VfL Wolfsburg • 22 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €26.5M
50.9
Maxime Estève
Burnley FC • 24 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €25.6M
50.1
Kevin Danso
Tottenham Hotspur • 27 years old
€23.3M
€22.0M
-5.4%
Expected: €19.3M
46.4
Lucas Beraldo
Paris Saint-Germain • 22 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €21.2M
46.0
Jérémy Jacquet
Stade Rennais FC • 20 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €22.9M
45.4
Jaydee Canvot
Crystal Palace • 19 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €23.8M
45.3
Thilo Kehrer
AS Monaco • 29 years old
€23.2M
€18.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €14.9M
43.7
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen at 21 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 100.00×. That means Dean Huijsen is valued 100.00× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Nottingham Forest's Murillo, who is 23 years old, with a 78.57× PPVE. Third is Leny Yoro of Manchester United, who is 20 years old with a 68.75× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 100.00× means the player is worth 9900% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dean Huijsen Real Madrid | 21 | 21-23 | €70.0M | €700K | 100.00× |
| #2 | Murillo Nottingham Forest | 23 | 21-23 | €55.0M | €700K | 78.57× |
| #3 | Leny Yoro Manchester United | 20 | U21 | €55.0M | €800K | 68.75× |
| #4 | Ousmane Diomande Sporting CP | 22 | 21-23 | €45.0M | €700K | 64.29× |
| #5 | Abdukodir Khusanov Manchester City | 22 | 21-23 | €35.0M | €700K | 50.00× |
| #6 | Luka Vuskovic Hamburger SV | 19 | U21 | €40.0M | €800K | 50.00× |
| #7 | Raúl Asencio Real Madrid | 23 | 21-23 | €30.0M | €700K | 42.86× |
| #8 | Maxime Estève Burnley FC | 24 | 24-26 | €25.0M | €600K | 41.67× |
| #9 | Joel Ordóñez Club Brugge KV | 22 | 21-23 | €28.0M | €700K | 40.00× |
| #10 | Vitor Reis Girona FC | 20 | U21 | €30.0M | €800K | 37.50× |
| #11 | Konstantinos Koulierakis VfL Wolfsburg | 22 | 21-23 | €25.0M | €700K | 35.71× |
| #12 | Renato Veiga Villarreal CF | 22 | 21-23 | €25.0M | €700K | 35.71× |
| #13 | Honest Ahanor Atalanta BC | 18 | U21 | €25.0M | €800K | 31.25× |
| #14 | Giovanni Leoni Liverpool FC | 19 | U21 | €25.0M | €800K | 31.25× |
| #15 | Finn Jeltsch VfB Stuttgart | 19 | U21 | €25.0M | €800K | 31.25× |
| #16 | Lucas Beraldo Paris Saint-Germain | 22 | 21-23 | €20.0M | €700K | 28.57× |
| #17 | Jacobo Ramón Como 1907 | 21 | 21-23 | €18.0M | €700K | 25.71× |
| #18 | Jérémy Jacquet Stade Rennais FC | 20 | U21 | €20.0M | €800K | 25.00× |
| #19 | Jaydee Canvot Crystal Palace | 19 | U21 | €20.0M | €800K | 25.00× |
| #20 | Yarek Gasiorowski PSV Eindhoven | 21 | 21-23 | €16.0M | €700K | 22.86× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Atalanta BC's Honest Ahanor at 18 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +44%. That means Honest Ahanor is projected to appreciate 44% as they reach their peak age in 8 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Birmingham Legion FC's Ramiz Hamouda, who is 18 years old, with a +44% RPP (8 years to peak). Third is Raul Kumar of NK Istra 1961, who is 18 years old with a +44% RPP (8 years to peak).
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 44% RPP means the player is expected to gain 44% value as they enter their prime—making them excellent growth investments.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Honest Ahanor Atalanta BC | 18 | 8 | €25.0M | €44.7M | +44% |
| #2 | Ramiz Hamouda Birmingham Legion FC | 18 | 8 | €350K | €625K | +44% |
| #3 | Raul Kumar NK Istra 1961 | 18 | 8 | €350K | €625K | +44% |
| #4 | Marcos Maitán Monagas SC | 18 | 8 | €800K | €1.4M | +44% |
| #5 | Nunzio Engwanda RSCA Futures | 18 | 8 | €900K | €1.6M | +44% |
| #6 | Matteo Palma UC Sampdoria | 18 | 8 | €5.0M | €8.9M | +44% |
| #7 | Virgilio Olaya SD Aucas | 18 | 8 | €1.2M | €2.1M | +44% |
| #8 | Nicolás Villarroel Club Always Ready | 18 | 8 | €300K | €536K | +44% |
| #9 | Jonathan Norbye RB Leipzig | 19 | 7 | €300K | €499K | +40% |
| #10 | Dylan Smith Ross County FC | 19 | 7 | €250K | €415K | +40% |
| #11 | Naoufel El Hannach Montpellier HSC | 19 | 7 | €1.2M | €2.0M | +40% |
| #12 | Lautaro Dufur CA Rentistas | 19 | 7 | €250K | €415K | +40% |
| #13 | Vladyslav Zakharchenko Dynamo Kyiv | 19 | 7 | €500K | €831K | +40% |
| #14 | Mathys Angély VfL Wolfsburg | 19 | 7 | €600K | €997K | +40% |
| #15 | Gonçalo Oliveira SL Benfica B | 19 | 7 | €2.0M | €3.3M | +40% |
| #16 | Giovanni Leoni Liverpool FC | 19 | 7 | €25.0M | €41.5M | +40% |
| #17 | Amara Nallo Liverpool FC U21 | 19 | 7 | €1.0M | €1.7M | +40% |
| #18 | Jan Leszczyński Legia Warszawa | 19 | 7 | €300K | €499K | +40% |
| #19 | Krzysztof Falowski LKS Lodz | 19 | 7 | €250K | €415K | +40% |
| #20 | Luis Benedetti Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras | 19 | 7 | €4.0M | €6.6M | +40% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Hamburger SV's Luka Vuskovic has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 70.0. That means Luka Vuskovic has 24% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is UC Sampdoria's Matteo Palma with a 68.9 RAU (23% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Honest Ahanor of Atalanta BC with a 68.9 RAU (23% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 70.0 means the upside is 70.0× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Luka Vuskovic Hamburger SV | €49.6M | €42.7M-56.4M | +24% | 70.0 |
| #2 | Matteo Palma UC Sampdoria | €6.2M | €5.3M-7.0M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #3 | Honest Ahanor Atalanta BC | €30.9M | €26.6M-35.1M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #4 | Virgilio Olaya SD Aucas | €1.5M | €1.3M-1.7M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #5 | Nicolás Villarroel Club Always Ready | €370K | €319K-422K | +23% | 68.9 |
| #6 | Nunzio Engwanda RSCA Futures | €1.1M | €958K-1.3M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #7 | Marcos Maitán Monagas SC | €988K | €852K-1.1M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #8 | Ramiz Hamouda Birmingham Legion FC | €432K | €373K-492K | +23% | 68.9 |
| #9 | Raul Kumar NK Istra 1961 | €432K | €373K-492K | +23% | 68.9 |
| #10 | Leny Yoro Manchester United | €65.6M | €56.6M-74.7M | +19% | 58.7 |
| #11 | Jonathan Norbye RB Leipzig | €357K | €308K-407K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #12 | Naoufel El Hannach Montpellier HSC | €1.4M | €1.2M-1.6M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #13 | Mathys Angély VfL Wolfsburg | €714K | €616K-813K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #14 | Jan Leszczyński Legia Warszawa | €357K | €308K-407K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #15 | Joachim Kayi Sanda Southampton FC | €1.4M | €1.2M-1.6M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #16 | Nóel Atli Arnórsson Aalborg BK | €833K | €718K-949K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #17 | Dylan Smith Ross County FC | €298K | €257K-339K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #18 | Lautaro Dufur CA Rentistas | €298K | €257K-339K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #19 | Vladyslav Zakharchenko Dynamo Kyiv | €595K | €513K-678K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #20 | Gonçalo Oliveira SL Benfica B | €2.4M | €2.1M-2.7M | +19% | 58.0 |
Roster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
What This Shows
Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.
How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.
Current market: centre-back position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.
Position Depth Analysis
Highest Z-Scores
Lowest Z-Scores
Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
RCD Espanyol Barcelona's Leandro Cabrera in the 30+ age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-17.5%. That means Mykola Matvienko captures 16.7% of total market value while representing only 34.1% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is Club Nacional's Sebastián Coates with a +-17.5% ASC (16.7% value share vs 34.1% player share in 30+ bracket). Third is Chris Smalling of Al-Fayha FC with a +-17.5% ASC (16.7% value vs 34.1% players in 30+ bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-17.5% ASC means the player captures -17.5% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.
Value Concentration by Player
| Rank | Player | Age Bracket | Value Share | Player Share | ASC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Leandro Cabrera RCD Espanyol Barcelona | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #2 | Sebastián Coates Club Nacional | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #3 | Chris Smalling Al-Fayha FC | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #4 | Victor Cuesta Club Atlético Platense | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #5 | Bram Nuytinck NEC Nijmegen | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #6 | Emmanuel Olivera Independiente Santa Fe | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #7 | Jeffrey Gouweleeuw FC Augsburg | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #8 | Stefan Savic Trabzonspor | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #9 | Antonio Briseño Deportivo Toluca | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #10 | Hugo Nervo CA Huracán | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #11 | Ruben Gabrielsen Lillestrøm SK | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #12 | Benjamin Tiedemann Aalborg BK | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #13 | Dmytro Pospelov UTA Arad | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #14 | Nicolò Brighenti US Catanzaro | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #15 | Dominique Heintz 1.FC Köln | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #16 | Stefan de Vrij Inter Milan | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #17 | Ahmed Hegazy NEOM SC | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #18 | Bruno Martins Indi Sparta Rotterdam | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #19 | Marcos Alonso Celta de Vigo | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
| #20 | Jakub Brabec Rio Ave FC | 30+ | 16.7% | 34.1% | -17.5% |
Buy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
What This Shows
How to use: "Buy Now - High Upside" = immediate priority targets. "Watch List" = monitor for 6-12 months. "Peak" = pay premium for proven performers. "Aging" = short-term depth only.
Current market: 39 immediate targets, 287 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 268 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
Price vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
What This Shows
How to use: Z-score < -1.5 = significantly undervalued (potential bargain). Z-score > +1.5 = premium pricing (requires strong justification). Within ±1.0 = fair market value.
Current market: Position median is €400K. 0 undervalued, 137 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vitor Reis Girona FC | €30.0M | €600K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Murillo Nottingham Forest | €55.0M | €600K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Thilo Kehrer AS Monaco | €18.0M | €600K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Noahkai Banks FC Augsburg | €15.0M | €600K | -0.71 | Good Value |
Srdjan Babic Spartak Moscow | €5.0M | €600K | -0.67 | Good Value |
Carl Starfelt Celta de Vigo | €5.0M | €600K | -0.67 | Good Value |
Kalidou Koulibaly Al-Hilal SFC | €5.0M | €600K | -0.67 | Good Value |
Yusuf Akçiçek Al-Hilal SFC | €16.0M | €600K | -0.57 | Good Value |
Ramón Arias Club Atlético Tigre | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Ilya Zuev Volgar Astrakhan | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Nino Galović Without Club | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Bevis Mugabi Carlisle United | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Isaac Donkor Al-Mesaimeer SC | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Daniel Granli Without Club | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Aldair Salazar Deportivo Garcilaso | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Gastón Campi CA Barracas Central | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Eriks Santos JK Trans Narva | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Marcos Rojo Racing Club | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Vladimir Kovacevic Sokol Saratov | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
Aldo Corzo Universitario de Deportes | €225K | €600K | -0.46 | Fair Value |
