By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Best Bundesliga centre-backs of the 2024/25 season so far

Kicker has ranked the best centre-backs in the Bundesliga so far in the 2024/25 season.
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Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images
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Kompany visits a FC Bayern fan club for the first time
After the joint sessions had been canceled since 2019 due to the pandemic and the 2022 Winter World Cup and were held in January last winter due to heavy snowfall, FC Bayern were now traditionally held again before Christmas. Head coach Vincent Kompany provided happy moments and an unforgettable afternoon for the Bayern supporters of the fan club "Obing '84 e.V." in the Upper Bavarian district of Traunstein.
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Every six months, Kicker publishes a ranking of the best players in the Bundesliga, as well as the best German players abroad, divided into a number of categories.

The German football magazine recently published the first part of its winter rankings, based on performances in the first half of the 2024/25 season.

Below you'll find the centre-back rankings.

World Class

None.

International class

1. Jonathan Tah, Bayer Leverkusen 

2. Piero Hincapié, Bayer Leverkusen 

3. Dayot Upamecano, Bayern Munich 

4. Willi Orban, RB Leipzig 

5. Arthur Theate, Eintracht Frankfurt 

6. Min-jae Kim, Bayern Munich 

7. Nico Schlotterbeck, Borussia Dortmund 

National class

8. Matthias Ginter, Freiburg 

9. Robin Koch, Eintracht Frankfurt 

10. Julian Chabot, VfB Stuttgart 

11. Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer Leverkusen 

12. Marco Friedl, Werder Bremen 

13. Anton Stach, Hoffenheim 

14. Ko Itakura, Gladbach 

15. Niklas Süle, Borussia Dortmund 

16. Tuta, Eintracht Frankfurt 

17. Castello Lukeba, RB Leipzig 

18. Moritz Jenz, Mainz

19. Philipp Lienhart, Freiburg

20. Danilho Doekhi, Union Berlin 

21. Hauke Wahl, St. Pauli 

Bundesliga news

Mainz & RB Leipzig Henriksen comments on Leipzig links
VfB StuttgartStuttgart chief signs new long-term contract
Preview Bremen BochumWerder Bremen vs VfL Bochum preview: Will Bremen's winning run continue?
Post-match reaction FC Bayern Kompany on Bayern’s Champions League exit: “We did enough to win”
FC BayernThomas Müller reflects on his final Champions League game for Bayern
Match report FC BayernDraw ends Bayern’s Champions League hopes as Inter move on to semi-finals
FC BayernConfirmed lineups: Inter vs. Bayern Munich
Europa LeagueEintracht Frankfurt vs. Tottenham preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Predicted lineups BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 30
Einrtacht FrankfurtEintracht turn Kristensen's loan move into permanent one
Rumor FC BayernThomas Müller attracting interest from around the globe
Rumor FC BayernReport: Bayern considering re-signing young star from Juventus
Rumor RB LeipzigMarco Rose linked with Wolfsburg

Table

Bundesliga

Regular Season

#TeamP
1 FC Bayern69
2 Leverkusen63
3 Frankfurt51
4 RB Leipzig48
5 Mainz 0546
6 Freiburg45
7 Gladbach44
8 Dortmund42
9 Bremen42
10 Augsburg42
11 Stuttgart40
12 Wolfsburg38
13 Union Berlin34
14 Hoffenheim30
15 St. Pauli29
16 Heidenheim22
17 Bochum20
18 Holstein Kiel18
View full table
Kickfieber

Match days

Predicted lineups BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 30
Team of the week Bundesliga Bundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 29
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany on wild draw with Dortmund: "I'd buy a ticket for a game like that"
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac reacts to Bayern draw: "We achieved what we wanted"
Post-match reaction FC BayernMüller rues missed chances after Bayern's draw against Dortmund
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso insists Leverkusen won't give up in title race
Post-match reaction GladbachKleindienst slams Gladbach's body language after defeat
Bayern & DortmundConfirmed lineups: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
Match report Bochum & AugsburgLate winner sees 10-man Augsburg beat Bochum
Match report Holstein Kiel & St. PauliSt. Pauli edge Kiel in relegation battle with dramatic injury-time winner
Match report Leverkusen & Union BerlinLeverkusen's title challenge dented by 0-0 draw with Union
Match report Hoffenheim & MainzKramaric's brace lifts Hoffenheim to important win over Mainz
Match report Gladbach & FreiburgFreiburg climb past Gladbach after late winner
Mainz 05Burkardt misses Mainz's clash with Hoffenheim
Match report Leipzig, WolfsburgLeipzig climb to Champions League place with thrilling win
Preview Kiel, St. PauliHolstein Kiel v St. Pauli preview: Newcomers battle in classic relegation six-pointer
Preview Bochum, AugsburgVfL Bochum v FC Augsburg preview: Rock solid FCA travel to relegation-threatened Blues
Preview Hoffenheim, MainzTSG Hoffenheim v Mainz preview: Spirited 05ers aim three points in front of “home” support
Bayern, DortmundKompany talks about a BVB player he once labelled “future Ballon d’Or candidate”
Preview Bayern, DortmundBayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund preview: Bundesliga giants lock horns after European woes
Bayer 04 LeverkusenWirtz set for Leverkusen return against Union Berlin
MainzMainz will travel to Hoffenheim with 10,000 fans
Borussia DortmundNiko Kovac: "We have to do more against top teams”
VfL WolfsburgWolfsburg injuries starting to clear up ahead of Leipzig clash
Bayer 04 LeverkusenWirtz in line for return against Union Berlin, confirms Rolfes

German Teams in Europe

Post-match reaction FC Bayern Kompany on Bayern’s Champions League exit: “We did enough to win”
Match report FC BayernDraw ends Bayern’s Champions League hopes as Inter move on to semi-finals
FC BayernConfirmed lineups: Inter vs. Bayern Munich
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovač ushers players to build on latest performance: "We have to draw strength from this game"
Post-match reaction Borussia Dortmund"We are out because of the away game" - Groß pins BVB elimination on first-leg disaster
Match report UEFA Champions LeagueBarcelona book semi-final berth despite Dortmund's gallant battle
FC BayernKane demands better finishing as Bayern aim to turn around Inter deficit
FC BayernKompany addresses criticism of Kim Min-jae ahead of Inter showdown
Preview UEFA Champions LeagueConfirmed Lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund Dortmund travel to team hotel without duo ahead of Barcelona clash
Dortmund & BayernPredicted Champions League lineups: How all teams could line up for the quarter-final second legs
Preview FC BayernInter vs. Bayern Munich preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayern MunichNo return for Neuer against Inter as Urbig retains keeper duties
Rumor Borussia DortmundDortmund midfielder set for snub against Barcelona, Sky reports
Preview Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC BayernNeuer expected to miss Bayern's Champions League return leg against Inter
Match report Europa LeagueSantos secures important draw for Frankfurt against Tottenham
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac reacts to crushing 4-0 defeat: "We need to defend together"
Borussia DortmundAdeyemi slams "embarrassing" Dortmund performance against Barcelona
Match report UEFA Champions LeagueBVB blown away by bullish Barcelona
Borussia DortmundConfirmed lineups: FC Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund
Preview Eintracht FrankfurtTottenham vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction FC BayernVincent Kompany: "We still fully believe in our chances"
Post-match reaction FC BayernLaimer confident Bayern can turn tie around after "frustrating" 1-2 defeat to Inter
Post-match reaction FC BayernThomas Müller: "We wanted a different result, but we know all is not lost"

DFB-Pokal

VfB StuttgartWoltemade on reaching the DFB-Pokal final: "One of the best moments of my career"
Match report VfB Stuttgart & RB Leipzig Stuttgart book their place in DFB-Pokal final
VfB Stuttgart & RB Leipzig Confirmed lineups: VfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig
Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldWhat happens if Arminia Bielefeld win the DFB-Pokal?
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso admits Leverkusen deserved to lose to Bielefeld: "Almost nothing worked"
Post-match reaction Arminia BielefeldArminia Bielefeld coach on sensational semi-final win over Leverkusen: "No one will be sleeping tonight"
Bayer 04 LeverkusenAndrich self-critical after Leverkusen's cup exit: "By far our worst game of the season"
Match report DFB-PokalArminia Bielefeld shock Leverkusen to reach first DFB-Pokal final in club history
DFB-PokalConfirmed lineups: Arminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Preview Stuttgart & RB LeipzigVfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayer 04 LeverkusenAlonso gives update on Tella, Wirtz and Tapsoba ahead of Bielefeld clash
Preview Bielefeld & LeverkusenArminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Leverkusen, Bielefeld, Leipzig, StuttgartPokal draw: Leverkusen play third-tier Bielefeld, Leipzig away at Stuttgart
Post-match reaction Leipzig & WolfsburgLeipzig's handball penalty against Wolfsburg sparks debate
Match report RB Leipzig & WolfsburgSesko penalty sees Leipzig book semi-final spot
RB Leipzig & WolfsburgConfirmed lineups: RB Leipzig vs VfL Wolfsburg, DFB-Pokal quarter final
Post-match reaction Werder BremenBittencourt lashes out at Köhn after cup defeat
Post-match reaction Werder BremenWerner reacts to Werder's shocking cup exit: "We missed out on a huge opportunity"
Match report DFB-Pokal Giant-killing continues as Bielefeld roll past Bremen into Pokal final-four
Preview Leipzig & WolfsburgRB Leipzig vs. Wolfsburg preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bielefeld & WerderArminia Bielefeld vs Werder Bremen preview: Can Bielefeld keep their cup dream alive?
Post-match reaction Köln & LeverkusenKöln defender lashes out at "arrogant" Leverkusen after Pokal defeat
Match report BAYER LEVERKUSENBayer Leverkusen squeeze past Köln into Pokal semis
Bayer LeverkusenAlonso expresses excitement for derby
Match report VfB StuttgartStuttgart end losing streak to reach Pokal semis

German National Team

German National TeamNagelsmann's deal includes release clause valid from 2027
DFBVöller extends contract with DFB
Facts German National TeamGermany's EURO 2024 nets €2.5billion record windfall for UEFA
Post-match reaction DFBGermany boss singles out Kleindienst for praise after Italy draw
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann reacts to Germany's wild 3-3 draw with Italy
Match report German national teamNationalelf secure Nations League semi-final place despite late drama
GermanyConfirmed Lineups: Germany vs. Italy
DFBNagelsmann confirms ter Stegen is still seen as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper
GermanyKleindienst certain to start against Italy
Other GermanyOliver Baumann: "I've always accepted every role”
Preview GermanyJulian Nagelsmann: “We want to write our own history”
Preview DFBGermany vs. Italy preview: Team news and predicted lineups
DFBVöller postpones decision on Germany future
Post-match reaction German National TeamGoretzka jubilant after comeback against Italy: "It feels nice to be back"
Post-match reaction German National Team"Happy with the win and the performance" - Kimmich reflects on victory in Milan
Post-match reaction German National TeamJulian Nagelsmann: "The team showed desire and did everything to win"
Post-match reaction German National TeamGermany player ratings against Italy
Match report German National TeamGoretzka guides Germany to first-leg comeback victory over Italy
Preview German National TeamConfirmed Lineups: Italy vs. Germany
DFBGoretzka earns praise from Nagelsmann amid reports he will start for Germany against Italy
DFBNagelsmann opens up about tight goalkeeping battle
German National TeamLina Magull retires from the Germany women's national team
DFB & AugsburgDahmen on standby for Germany
DFBItaly without star striker against Germany
FC Bayern & DFBBayern's Urbig withdraws from Germany U21 squad due to injury

Long reads

Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldBelief in Bielefeld: How Pokal underdogs Arminia plotted an historic path to Berlin
Editor's pick Arminia BielefeldWhat happens if Arminia Bielefeld win the DFB-Pokal?
Editor's pick MainzWho is the maverick man leading Mainz to the Champions League? – Discovering who Bo Henriksen is by those that knew him
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWhat's going wrong with Werder Bremen?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga European race: The full assessment
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and Andre Silva: A potentially sneaky important move
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 19
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and the potential curse of Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary SV Werder BremenWhy Werder Bremen have made a change at wingback
Analysis/Commentary BayernJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Bayern München
Analysis/Commentary Bayer 04 LeverkusenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Analysis/Commentary FC St. Pauli January 2025 Transfer Primer: FC St. Pauli
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: SC Freiburg
Analysis/Commentary 1. FC HeidenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary VfL BochumJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Bochum
Analysis/Commentary Union BerlinJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Union Berlin
Analysis/Commentary Eintracht FrankfurtJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Eintracht Frankfurt
Analysis/Commentary TSG 1899 HoffenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Werder Bremen
Analysis/Commentary RB LeipzigJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: RB Leipzig
Analysis/Commentary Borussia MönchengladbachJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Analysis/Commentary VfL WolfsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Wolfsburg
Analysis/Commentary FSV Mainz 05January 2025 Transfer Primer: FSV Mainz 05
Analysis/Commentary FC AugsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Augsburg
Analysis/Commentary Holstein Kiel January 2025 Transfer Primer: Holstein Kiel

Exclusive interviews

Exclusive interview VfL WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Mads Roerslev opens up on injury struggles, Wolfsburg loan so far, future and more
Interview BundesligaEXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen talks Kane, Musiala, Sancho and looks back on famous hat-trick against Germany
Editor's pick Bundesliga & DFBEXCLUSIVE: Dietmar Hamann on the Bundesliga title fight, Der Klassiker and Nagelsmann's start as Germany coach
Editor's pick MainzEXCLUSIVE: Danny da Costa rules out future coaching job
Interview Bayer LeverkusenEXCLUSIVE: Edmond Tapsoba on England links, his role models and Leverkusen's struggles this season
Interview Bundesliga InterviewEXCLUSIVE: From infancy to Eisernen - An Interview with Union Berlin’s rising star Laurenz Dehl
Editor's pick LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview – part two: Leverkusen boss points out "problem" with German youth development
Editor's pick LeverkusenFernando Carro interview: Bayer Leverkusen CEO says Bundesliga rights are “sold under value”, questions 50+1 rule
Editor's pick Bayer 04 LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview: Leverkusen boss on global scouting, Frimpong’s “fantastic” rise and more
Editor's pick WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Jonas Wind on Wolfsburg's poor start, Niko Kovac, his dream club and more
Editor's pick EXCLUSIVE: Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind gives injury update, shares thoughts on ...
Editor's pick DortmundEXCLUSIVE: Ex-BVB star and agent Niclas Jensen on life on and off the pitch and why Bielefeld's Bello is one to watch
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach's Joe Scally on first United States call-up and World Cup chances
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach and USMNT defender Joe Scally on his rise to stardom and season so far

Team News