Per-90 performance rankings · Rising Transfers DNA Analysis · 25 players ranked
Based on per-90 statistics across 25 Ligue 1 defenders in 2025/26, Moussa Niakhaté leads the ranking as a Ball-Playing CB with a composite score of 0.74. Nayef Aguerd (Ball-Playing CB) ranks second at 0.74, followed by Gautier Lloris (Ball-Playing CB) at 0.73. All rankings are calculated using Rising Transfers' 47-dimension per-90 analysis methodology.
Methodology: Per-90 stats explained · DNA matching
32 games · Senegal
16 games · Morocco
| # | Player | Style | TW/90 | Int/90 | Clr/90 | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moussa Niakhaté | Ball-Playing CB | 0.62 | 0.98 | 6.01 | 32 | Similar → |
| 2 | Nayef Aguerd | Ball-Playing CB | 1.03 | 1.35 | 4.83 | 16 | Similar → |
| 3 | Gautier Lloris | Ball-Playing CB | 1.02 | 1.57 | 5.63 | 29 | Similar → |
| 4 | Malang Sarr | Ball-Playing CB | 1.21 | 2.29 | 3.94 | 25 | Similar → |
| 5 | Aïssa Mandi | Ball-Playing CB | 0.90 | 1.69 | 3.89 | 28 | Similar → |
| 6 | Marvin Senaya | Defender | 1.34 | 1.77 | 3.88 | 25 | Similar → |
| 7 | Guela Doué | Active Full-Back | 1.67 | 1.18 | 4.49 | 24 | Similar → |
| 8 | Anthony Rouault | Ball-Playing CB | 0.81 | 0.99 | 5.80 | 21 | Similar → |
| 9 | Moustapha Mbow | Ball-Playing CB | 1.20 | 1.32 | 5.30 | 31 | Similar → |
| 10 | Brendan Chardonnet | Physical Stopper | 0.77 | 1.17 | 6.46 | 29 | Similar → |
| 11 | Arouna Sangante | Ball-Playing CB | 0.87 | 1.50 | 4.63 | 27 | Similar → |
| 12 | Rasmus Nicolaisen | Ball-Playing CB | 0.42 | 1.49 | 5.28 | 33 | Similar → |
| 13 | Montassar Talbi | Ball-Playing CB | 0.68 | 0.90 | 6.48 | 29 | Similar → |
| 14 | Charlie Cresswell | Ball-Playing CB | 0.58 | 0.99 | 6.15 | 29 | Similar → |
| 15 | Benjamin Pavard | Ball-Playing CB | 0.49 | 1.21 | 3.55 | 27 | Similar → |
| 16 | Clément Akpa | Ball-Playing CB | 0.89 | 1.07 | 4.36 | 26 | Similar → |
| 17 | Lucas Hernández | Active Full-Back | 0.54 | 1.03 | 2.32 | 25 | Similar → |
| 18 | Otávio | Ball-Playing CB | 1.25 | 1.37 | 6.20 | 23 | Similar → |
| 19 | Lilian Brassier | Ball-Playing CB | 0.53 | 1.52 | 3.16 | 27 | Similar → |
| 20 | Facundo Medina | Ball-Playing CB | 1.10 | 1.65 | 3.56 | 17 | Similar → |
| 21 | Chidozie Awaziem | Ball-Playing CB | 0.73 | 0.88 | 7.35 | 27 | Similar → |
| 22 | Ilya Zabarnyi | Ball-Playing CB | 0.81 | 0.79 | 3.36 | 28 | Similar → |
| 23 | Leonardo Balerdi | Ball-Playing CB | 1.18 | 1.21 | 4.52 | 26 | Similar → |
| 24 | J. Teze | Ball-Playing CB | 1.88 | 1.12 | 2.13 | 33 | Similar → |
| 25 | Willian Pacho | Ball-Playing CB | 1.60 | 1.22 | 3.10 | 23 | Similar → |
KP = Key passes · TW = Tackles won · Int = Interceptions · Clr = Clearances · GC = Goals conceded
Based on per-90 data in 2025/26, Moussa Niakhaté is the top-ranked defender in the Ligue 1. Moussa Niakhaté is classified as a Ball-Playing CB by Rising Transfers' DNA analysis system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
