Tbf though I don’t think this is the best reference for who the best players actually were, especially for CBs, since certain stats can really boost a player’s rating. For Otamendi in that City side he was the most active/aggressive defender who was also at the center of recycling possession, which led to him leading the team for recovering possession, and I’m pretty sure leading the league for passes completed. Remembering back to that season though, no one really talked about him being one of the best in the world, because although he performed his role incredibly well, it mostly came down to the team and system around him.
Tbf though I don’t think this is the best reference for who the best players actually were, especially for CBs, since certain stats can really boost a player’s rating. For Otamendi in that City side he was the most active/aggressive defender who was also at the center of recycling possession, which led to him leading the team for recovering possession, and I’m pretty sure leading the league for passes completed. Remembering back to that season though, no one really talked about him being one of the best in the world, because although he performed his role incredibly well, it mostly came down to the team and system around him.