Standout defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)

Three full-backs stood out with their performances.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has switched his allegiance to DR Congo, made the most interceptions (66) and completed the most dribbles (64) among Premier League defenders – form that saw him voted West Ham’s player of the season by fans.

Algeria’s Rayan Ait-Nouri provided a serious attacking threat playing as a wing-back, bagging four goals and seven assists in a struggling Wolves side.

Ola Aina had the best season of his career for Nottingham Forest, impressively winning back possession 190 times – the highest figure recorded by any top-flight defender.

The Nigerian right-back also made a joint-high three clearances off the line, a figure which was matched by six other players including, unexpectedly, Everton and Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye.

Aina’s international team-mate Calvin Bassey touched the ball 2,536 times for Fulham – more than any other African in the Premier League – and his 1,926 successful passes, 113 clearances and 17 blocks were the most by a defender from the continent.

Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui’s 115 tackles and 216 duels for Manchester United ranked the Moroccan second and third respectively among the league’s defenders.