WSL Centre-Back Rankings 2024/25: Data-Driven Analysis
We employed a data-led approach to rank WSL's top 20 centre-backs using defensive metrics, progressive play, attacking contributions and reliability. Which defenders truly excel in the modern game?
Introduction
Centre-backs form the backbone of any defence, but the modern game demands more than just clearances and aerial dominance. Today's top centre-backs must also be calm on the ball, progressive in possession, and capable of contributing to attacks.
This comprehensive analysis ranks the best centre-backs in the Women's Super League so far this season using a data-led approach. By combining defensive strength with progressive play, attacking contributions, and reliability metrics, we've created a holistic assessment of centre-back performance.
Methodology
Our analysis uses four weighted performance categories that reflect the comprehensive demands of the modern centre-back position:
1️⃣ Defensive Strength (50%)
First and foremost, a centre-back's job is to defend. This category measures security at the back through:
Tackles won (%)
Interceptions
Blocks
Clearances
Aerial duels won (%)
Defensive duels won (%)
We've weighted this category heavily (50%) to reflect the primary responsibility of centre-backs, focusing purely on positive defensive actions.
2️⃣ Progressive Play (30%)
Modern centre-backs are expected to contribute to build-up and help control possession. We track ball progression through:
Progressive passes
Progressive carries
Long passes completed
Passes into the final third
Pass completion percentage under pressure
These stats help identify defenders who break lines and keep their teams ticking. At 30% of the overall rating, this recognises the growing importance of ball-playing defenders in the modern game.
3️⃣ Attacking Contribution (10%)
While it's not their primary role, some centre-backs impact the final third — whether through set-pieces or supporting play in the opposition half. To reflect that, we've included:
Goals + Assists (G+A)
Shot-Creating Actions
Non-penalty xG + xAG
This 10% weighting ensures that proactive centre-backs who chip in offensively get the credit they deserve without overvaluing this secondary aspect of their game.
4️⃣ Reliability (10%)
The best defenders aren't just skilled — they're consistently available, effective, and avoid costly mistakes. Our reliability category measures:
Clean sheets
Minutes played
Errors leading to shots (inversely weighted)
Our Approach to Data
All metrics are normalised on a 0-10 scale to ensure fair comparisons across different statistical categories. This approach controls for varying scales and allows us to compare performance across different dimensions.
The 50/30/10/10 weighting system provides a balanced view of centre-back excellence, acknowledging traditional defensive duties as the foundation while recognising that the modern game demands more from defenders than ever before.
Positional Integrity: Only True Centre-Back Minutes Count
Some players have rotated between full-back and centre-back. To stay accurate:
We only include players whose primary role has been at centre-back this season.
For those who’ve shifted positions, we focused on metrics logged during their time at CB (where data allowed).
If a player played enough minutes at CB (typically over 600), they remained eligible even with some tactical variation.
The Cutoff: 900+ Minutes Played
To ensure a fair sample size, we only included players who have featured for 900 minutes or more this season. This filters out small-sample outliers and rewards consistency over time.
Key Methodological Consideration
Possession Adjustment: Defensive statistics were normalised based on team possession rates to ensure fair comparisons between defenders from possession-dominant teams and those who defend more frequently.
By balancing defensive reliability, on-ball contribution, and attacking impact, this methodology highlights the most complete and effective centre-backs in the WSL — not just the most vocal or physical, but the most well-rounded.
The Rankings: WSL's Best Centre-Backs
1. Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United) - 7.23 ⭐⭐⭐
🧠 Le Tissier represents the complete modern centre-back – exceptional defensively while offering significant ball progression abilities. At just 22, she's become the defensive lynchpin for Manchester United, combining physical presence with technical excellence.
💪 Strengths: Her defensive metrics (4.08) are the best in the league, with outstanding aerial duel success and intelligent positioning. Her progression score (1.64, 3rd highest) is well above average, and she offers consistent attacking threat (0.64, 5th best) despite her primarily defensive role.
🔍 Areas for improvement: While already impressive, she could further develop her progressive carries to add another dimension to her build-up contribution.
🥇 Why she's #1: Le Tissier's exceptional balance across all categories makes her the prototype modern defender. She excels in her primary defensive duties while significantly contributing to build-up play, all with remarkable consistency at a young age. Her ceiling remains extraordinarily high.
2. Leah Williamson (Arsenal) - 6.59 ⭐⭐
🧠 Williamson exemplifies the elite ball-playing defender, orchestrating Arsenal's build-up and serving as their primary progression hub. Since returning from her ACL injury she has remained Arsenal's primary build-up orchestrator from the back.
💪 Strengths: Her progressive abilities (2.73) are unmatched in the league, with exceptional progressive passing and carries. Her elite ball-striking ability allows her to break lines consistently, and she offers the highest attacking contribution (0.76) among all centre-backs, making her a dual threat.
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her defensive metrics (2.46) are merely good rather than exceptional, placing her 8th among top 10 players ranked in pure defensive actions. She could improve in direct defensive actions to become more complete.
🥈 Why she's #2: Williamson's extraordinary progressive abilities make her the premier ball-playing centre-back in the WSL. While Le Tissier offers more defensive solidity, no defender can match Williamson's impact on building attacks and breaking opposition lines.
3. Millie Bright (Chelsea) - 6.27 ⭐⭐
🧠 Chelsea's captain embodies leadership and defensive presence, evolving her game to meet modern demands while maintaining her traditional defensive strengths. Her commanding presence organises Chelsea's entire defensive unit.
💪 Strengths: Bright offers strong defensive metrics (3.38, ranked 4th overall) while developing her progressive abilities (1.35) significantly in recent seasons. Her reliability (0.89, highest in the league) is exceptional, and she contributes meaningfully to attack (0.65, tied for 3rd highest).
🔍 Areas for improvement: While competent in possession, her progressive play (1.35) lags behind the elite ball-playing defenders, limiting her effectiveness in certain build-up scenarios.
🥉 Why she's #3: Bright combines excellent defensive skills with the progressive abilities required in the modern game. Her top-ranked reliability and set-piece threat add intangible value, making her the complete package as Chelsea's defensive cornerstone.
4. Millie Turner (Manchester United) - 5.64 ⭐
🧠 The unsung hero of Manchester United's defence, Turner excels in traditional defensive duties while offering reliable distribution. Her partnership with Le Tissier creates arguably the WSL's most balanced defensive pairing.
💪 Strengths: Turner's defensive metrics (3.61) are exceptional, ranking third league-wide behind only Le Tissier and Matthews. Her positioning is impeccable, and she maintains consistent reliability (0.74, 4th best) across all competitions.
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her progressive (1.04, 10th ranked) and attacking metrics (0.25) lag behind the elite defenders, limiting her overall impact. More ambitious passing could elevate her game further.
🏅 Why she's #4: Turner's defensive excellence provides the platform that allows her more progressive partner Le Tissier to thrive. Her consistent performances and defensive fundamentals make her invaluable, even if she lacks the progressive flair of those ranked above her.
5. Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City) - 5.51 ⭐
🧠 City's Spanish international epitomises the technical, ball-playing defender who thrives in a possession-dominant system. Her comfort under pressure and progressive passing are crucial to City's build-up play.
💪 Strengths: Her progressive metrics (2.26) are second only to Williamson, highlighting her exceptional ability to break lines and initiate attacks. She combines this with solid defensive fundamentals (2.36, 9th among top 10) and meaningful attacking contribution (0.52, 9th overall).
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her reliability metrics (0.37) are the lowest in the top 10, suggesting room for greater consistency. Her aerial duel success could also improve to round out her defensive profile.
🏅 Why she's #5: Aleixandri's exceptional progressive abilities make her the perfect fit for City's possession-based approach. At just 24, she represents the future of the position – technically gifted defenders who can play through pressure and initiate attacks.
6. Nathalie Björn (Chelsea) - 5.40 ✨
🧠 A perfectly balanced modern defender who offers Chelsea tactical flexibility. Her ability to operate as a centre-back who can drift into defensive midfield highlights her technical quality and game intelligence.
💪 Strengths: Björn provides an excellent combination of defensive solidity (2.67, 7th among top 10), progressive ability (1.54, tied for 4th overall), and attacking threat (0.62, 6th overall). Her positional versatility and press resistance add significant tactical value to Chelsea's squad.
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her minutes (910) are lower than other top-ranked defenders, highlighting a need to establish herself more consistently in Chelsea's starting XI.
🏅 Why she's #6: Björn's balanced skill set and tactical flexibility make her the prototype of the modern utility defender. Her per-90 metrics suggest she could rank even higher with more consistent playing time.
7. Jasmine Matthews (Liverpool) - 5.10 ✨
🧠 The WSL's premier pure defender, Matthews excels in traditional defensive actions despite Liverpool's mid-table status. Her anticipation and positioning allow her to consistently neutralise opposition attacks.
💪 Strengths: Matthews boasts the second-highest defensive score in the league (3.69), with exceptional tackle success, interception rates, and aerial dominance. She provides a defensive foundation that has transformed Liverpool's defence.
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her progressive metrics (0.63) are limited, placing her firmly in the traditional defender category. Developing her ball-playing abilities could elevate her into the elite tier.
🏅 Why she's #7: Matthews proves that traditional defensive excellence still has immense value in the modern game. Only Le Tissier can match her pure defensive impact, but she lacks the progressive abilities of those ranked above her.
8. Gemma Bonner (Liverpool) - 4.93 ✨
🧠 Liverpool's veteran defender brings experience and leadership to a young squad. Her game intelligence and positioning compensate for any physical limitations, allowing her to consistently perform at a high level.
💪 Strengths: Bonner combines excellent defensive metrics (3.07, 5th overall) with surprising attacking threat (0.65, tied for 3rd highest among all centre-backs). Her set-piece presence and leadership provide intangible value beyond the statistics.
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her progressive abilities (0.73) remain modest, and at 32, physical decline is a potential concern for future seasons.
🏅 Why she's #8: Bonner's combination of defensive excellence and attacking threat makes her a dual-impact player for Liverpool. Her experience helps organise a Liverpool’s defence particularly difficult season.
9. Lucy Parker (Aston Villa) - 4.65 ✨
🧠 One of the WSL's most promising emerging defenders, Parker offers an intriguing blend of attacking threat and progressive ability. Her comfort stepping into midfield creates numerical advantages for Villa in build-up.
💪 Strengths: Parker provides the second-highest attacking contribution (0.74) among all centre-backs while offering strong progressive metrics (1.43, ranked 6th). Her ability to impact both ends of the pitch makes her a unique modern defender profile.
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her defensive metrics (2.05, lowest among top 10) lag behind the elite defenders, suggesting room for development in her primary responsibilities. Positioning and concentration can still improve with experience.
🏅 Why she's #9: At 26, Parker represents one of the most exciting defensive prospects in the league. Her all-action style and attacking threat provide a glimpse of her potential ceiling, even as her defensive fundamentals continue to develop.
10. Sophie Howard (Leicester City) - 4.56 ✨
🧠 The standout defender from a team in the bottom half of the table, Howard excels despite having to defend more frequently than her peers at top clubs. Her defensive awareness and leadership have been crucial to Leicester's survival hopes.
💪 Strengths: Howard's defensive metrics (2.83) are impressive, especially considering Leicester's league-low 36.9% possession average. Her possession-adjusted numbers highlight how she thrives despite constant defensive pressure, and her reliability (0.73) ranks among the league's best.
🔍 Areas for improvement: Her progressive abilities (0.54) are limited, though this is partly a function of Leicester's direct playing style rather than technical limitation.
🏅 Why she's #10: Howard's ranking illustrates the value of our possession-adjusted methodology. Her ability to perform at this level in a team that defends so frequently demonstrates exceptional defensive quality that might otherwise be overlooked.
Complete Rankings (Top 20)
Key Insights
The Big Three Dominance
Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea account for 5 of the top 6 spots, reflecting how these clubs have invested in defenders who excel both defensively and in possession. Manchester City's Laia Aleixandri represents the only non-United/Arsenal/Chelsea player in the top 6.
Progressive Play: The Modern Differentiator
The data reveals three distinct tiers of ball-playing ability among WSL centre-backs:
Elite Progressors (2.0+ progressive score):
Leah Williamson (Arsenal): 2.73
Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City): 2.26
Strong Progressors (1.3-2.0 progressive score):
Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United): 1.64
Nathalie Björn (Chelsea): 1.54
Steph Catley (Arsenal): 1.54
Lucy Parker (Aston Villa): 1.43
Average Progressors (0.7-1.3 progressive score):
Millie Bright (Chelsea): 1.35
Anna Patten (Aston Villa): 1.39
Julie Thibaud (Leicester City): 1.17
Katrine Veje (Crystal Palace): 1.10
Millie Turner (Manchester United): 1.04
This tiering highlights how important progressive ability has become for top centre-backs, with the very best players excelling in both traditional defending and possession-based metrics.
Liverpool's Defensive Core
Liverpool place three centre-backs in the top 15 (Matthews, Bonner, and Clark), highlighting their strong defensive unit despite middling league position. Matthews in particular stands out with the highest pure defensive score in the WSL (3.69), illustrating how traditional defensive excellence can still shine in the modern game.
Possession Adjustment Reveals Hidden Gems
Our possession-adjusted methodology helps identify strong performers at teams with less possession:
Sophie Howard (Leicester City, 10th) excels despite her team averaging just 36.9% possession
Julie Thibaud (Leicester City, 11th) similarly impresses in a team that defends more frequently
Amber Tysiak (West Ham, 16th) ranks well considering West Ham's 39.6% average possession
Without possession adjustment, these players would rank significantly lower, highlighting the importance of contextual analysis.
Conclusion
The data confirms that the modern WSL centre-back must be multi-dimensional. The very best players blend traditional defensive strengths with progressive capabilities, attacking threat, and consistent reliability.
Maya Le Tissier's position at the top represents this modern archetype – a defender who excels across all facets of the position while maintaining consistent availability and performance levels. Meanwhile, specialists like Leah Williamson (progression) and Jasmine Matthews (defending) demonstrate how excelling in specific areas can still create tremendous value.
As the women's game continues to evolve, we can expect the importance of progressive metrics to grow further, with the ability to build from the back becoming increasingly essential for top centre-backs. The next generation of defenders will need to develop this complete skill set to reach the pinnacle of the game.
Note: All statistics are based on data through Match Week 18 (April 2025) for players with 900+ minutes played. Raw data sourced from FBref.