Best Defenders in the Ligue 1 2025/26
Per-90 performance rankings · Rising Transfers DNA Analysis · 7 players ranked
Based on per-90 statistics across 7 Ligue 1 defenders in 2025/26, Malang Sarr leads the ranking as a Ball-Playing CB with a composite score of 0.71. Benjamin Pavard (Ball-Playing CB) ranks second at 0.64, followed by Lucas Høgsberg (Ball-Playing CB) at 0.58. All rankings are calculated using Rising Transfers' 47-dimension per-90 analysis methodology.
Methodology: Per-90 stats explained · DNA matching
Malang Sarr
25 games · France
Benjamin Pavard
23 games · France
Lucas Høgsberg
20 games · Denmark
Full Ligue 1 Defenders Rankings
| # | Player | Style | TW/90 | Int/90 | Clr/90 | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malang Sarr | Ball-Playing CB | 1.21 | 2.32 | 3.94 | 25 | Similar → |
| 2 | Benjamin Pavard | Ball-Playing CB | 0.49 | 1.22 | 3.50 | 23 | Similar → |
| 3 | Lucas Høgsberg | Ball-Playing CB | 0.50 | 0.70 | 3.25 | 20 | Similar → |
| 4 | Jonathan Clauss | Active Full-Back | 1.45 | 1.72 | 2.31 | 24 | Similar → |
| 5 | Ruben Aguilar | Active Full-Back | 1.20 | 1.58 | 1.52 | 21 | Similar → |
| 6 | Maxime Colin | Active Full-Back | 1.65 | 1.31 | 2.34 | 19 | Similar → |
| 7 | Ben Chilwell | Active Full-Back | 0.99 | 1.29 | 2.98 | 18 | Similar → |
KP = Key passes · TW = Tackles won · Int = Interceptions · Clr = Clearances · GC = Goals conceded
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best defender in the Ligue 1 right now?
Based on per-90 data in 2025/26, Malang Sarr is the top-ranked defender in the Ligue 1. Malang Sarr is classified as a Ball-Playing CB by Rising Transfers' DNA analysis system.
How are Ligue 1 defenders ranked on Rising Transfers?
Rising Transfers ranks defenders using a composite per-90 score across key performance dimensions specific to the position. All statistics are normalised per 90 minutes of play to allow fair comparison between players with different minutes. Only players with 1,350+ minutes (equivalent to approximately 15 full matches) are included to ensure statistical reliability.
What does the DNA archetype mean for defenders?
Each player is assigned a DNA archetype (e.g. Creator, Ball-Winner, Pressing Forward) based on their playing style vector — a 768-dimensional representation of their per-90 performance across 47 metrics. The archetype describes how the player plays, not just their position.
How often is the Ligue 1 defender ranking updated?
Rankings are recalculated weekly as new match data is processed into Rising Transfers' DNA pipeline. The underlying per-90 statistics are sourced from live match data across the Ligue 1 season.
Defenders Rankings in Other Leagues
Other Positions in the Ligue 1
Rankings are generated by Rising Transfers using per-90 statistics from the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season. Only players with 1,350+ minutes in the current season are included to ensure statistical reliability. Scores are computed using a position-specific composite formula across 47 performance dimensions. Data is refreshed weekly. Learn more about our methodology →
Some players may be excluded due to data availability (e.g. mid-season transfers, injury absences, or cup-only appearances). Rankings reflect on-pitch statistical performance and do not account for team defensive structure or shot quality — elite players on dominant teams may rank lower on volume-based metrics.