TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent believes Newcastle United's Sven Botman has been the second best defender in the Premier League so far this season.
The Dutch defender has enjoyed an incredible start to his career on Tyneside since arriving from Lille this summer, making up one part of what is currently the best defence in the division through 13 games.
The Magpies have conceded just 10 goals this season, one less than Arsenal and Manchester City.
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Newcastle were keen on landing the 22-year-old in January but were unable to come to an agreement with the Ligue 1 side.
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However, this summer, they were determined to land their man, beating off competition from Serie A champions AC Milan to sign the Dutchman, whose performances for Newcastle have earned him a call-up to the Netherlands preliminary World Cup squad.
Botman has taken to life in the Premier League like a duck to water. Alongside Fabian Schar, he looks confident, comfortable and completely at home in a division that can sometimes be tough to adapt to.
And alongside Arsenal's William Saliba, who has also been one of the Premier League's standout performers, Bent believes Botman has been the second-best defender in the division so far this season.
"If I had to pick two centre-backs, I'm torn a little bit," said Bent.
"So one, would be William Saliba. I think he's been brilliant, you've seen how good he's been for Arsenal this season.
"Now I'm torn because I like [Lisandro] Martinez at Manchester United but I also like Sven Botman at Newcastle. I think I'm going to go with Sven Botman. Sven Botman, it's like a flip of a coin. I think he's been brilliant.
"He's only 22 as well. Newcastle chased him for a while and his performances have been outstanding. I've gone for Sven Botman and William Saliba."
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