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Leonardo Bonucci is a vital presence at the heart of Juventus' typical three-man defence. He benefits greatly from playing alongside such bullish counterparts as Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, but the former Bari man is a completely different beast: a calm, composed ball-playing defender who's more comfortable in possession than most midfielders and attackers.

Now 30 years old, Bonucci is better than ever before. He has completely eliminated the lapses in concentration that once plagued his game, and his grown into one of the world's most complete defenders. Barcelona are reportedly chasing his services this summer, and it's easy to see why: Bonucci's ability to launch attacks from the back is unparalleled in the modern game, and his range of passing is every bit as strong.

As good as he is at initiating attacking plays, Bonucci is just as adept at stopping them. His positioning, strength, and ability to read the game are all top notch, and he has also drawn praise for his leadership. Juventus have plenty of great defenders on their books, but none are more irreplaceable than Bonucci, who they'll want to tie down with a contract extension ASAP.