In a time where defenders' worth used to be neglected in favour of splashing the cash on the goal-getters up top, the process of constructing attacks from the back has given their role added meaning.
Additionally, as a result of that, it has given the role added cost.
Full-backs are now arguably more important in attack than they are in defence, whilst centre-backs have to be good with their feet in an age where hoofing it does not suffice.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the most expensive defenders of all time...
(Staggeringly, every transfer on this list has been made in the past six years).
15. Eliaquim Mangala - Porto to Manchester City - £32m
The Frenchman arrived at the Etihad in 2014 for a staggering £32m fee, becoming the first in a long line of unprecedentedly expensive defensive recruitment for Manchester City.
His signing did not have the desired effect, as Mangala failed to make his mark on the Citizens' first team.
Many City fans even criticised the defender for turning up to their 2017/18 title celebrations in full kit, despite being on loan at Everton as the former Porto man went full 'John Terry'.
14. Thilo Kehrer - Schalke to Paris Saint-Germain - £33m
The highly rated Germany Under-21 defender joined Paris Saint-Germain from Schalke in the summer of 2018 in a big money move.
Kehrer is a rare breed of modern defender in his exceptional versatility across the field.
In his first 45 Bundesliga appearances, the Schalke academy graduate played in no less than eight positions including defence, midfield and even as a winger.
PSG seem to have snapped up a great example of what is required from the modern defender.
13. Antonio Rüdiger - Roma to Chelsea - £34m
After club legend John Terry's departure, Chelsea needed a replacement.
In Roma's Antonio Rudiger, the Blues saw potential, splashing out £34m to take the Germany international to Stamford Bridge.
Rudiger has won the Premier League and the FA Cup in his two seasons in London, although he will always be remembered for his involvement in the worst transfer announcement video of all time.
12. Shkodran Mustafi - Valencia to Arsenal - £35m
In what now looks like a whopping waste of money, Arsenal shelled out £35m to Valencia to bring former Everton reject Shkodran Mustafi to the Emirates.
Mustafi has by absolutely no means toughened up the Gunners' defensive frailties - if anything, he's made them weaker.
Arsenal would be lucky to make back £20m of their money spent on the Germany international, even in this market.
11. Leonardo Bonucci - Juventus to AC Milan - £35.2m
The biggest story of AC Milan's lucrative 2017 summer spending was the major coup of bringing Juventus' defensive stalwart Leonardo Bonucci to the San Siro.
The Italian international was regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world at the time, making the £35.2m spent on him look like peanuts.
However, he failed to set Milan alight, and has since returned to Juventus.
10. Álvaro Odriozola - Real Sociedad to Real Madrid - £35.4m
Real Madrid parted with £35.4m to bring the promising young full back from Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Los Blancos boss Julen Lopetegui handed the 22-year-old his debut for the Spain national team.
Odriozola's pace, technique and energy down the flank is a significant factor in the former Spain boss' faith in him, and he will compete with Dani Carvajal for a first team spot.
9. João Cancelo - Valencia to Juventus - £35.5m
The 24-year-old Portugal international arrived in Turin in a £35.5m move from Valencia, having spent last season on loan at Inter.
Cancelo clearly caught the eye of the Old Lady, creating the most chances as well as completing the most dribbles for a defender in 2017/18.
Additionally, he can play in a number of positions down the right hand side, whilst his rampant attacking play will become a key feature of Juventus' play.
8. Thiago Silva - AC Milan to Paris Saint-Germain - £38m
Paris Saint-Germain began their quest to become a European powerhouse when they signed both Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a combined fee of €60m, with the Brazilian costing a larger chunk of the sum.
Both signings have become club legends in their own right, defining a golden period for the club, Silva even more so given the fact he still captains the Parisians to this day.
Silva has made 240 appearances in all competitions for PSG to date.
7. Davinson Sánchez - Ajax to Tottenham Hotspur - £42m
Tottenham smashed their transfer record to bring Ajax and Colombia starlet Davinson Sanchez to north London amid interest in the player from Barcelona.
Sanchez has began life in the Premier League with ease, with the 22-year-old slotting seamlessly next to Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in one of England's best backlines.
The sky is the limit for the Colombia international, and that £42m fee is looking better by the day.
6. John Stones - Everton to Manchester City - £47.5m
Pep Guardiola wanted to mark his territory on the Premier League through his eye catching possession based play, so what better way to start than to bring in the ever composed John Stones.
The Englishman has become a Premier League winner since signing from Everton for almost £50m.
Although he is yet to become one of the first names on the teamsheet at the Etihad, Guardiola has a player that fits his blueprint and will do so for many years.
5. David Luiz - Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain - £50m
Amazingly, Paris Saint-Germain offered Chelsea an unbelievable £50m for their error-prone centre back David Luiz back in 2014.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the move did not turn out how the Parisians had hoped, and the Brazilian now finds himself back at Chelsea.
4. Benjamin Mendy - Monaco to Manchester City - £52m
The 24-year-old arrived in Manchester from Monaco in a £52m deal last summer after starring for the Ligue 1 club both domestically and in Europe.
Mendy is perhaps the best example of the modern day full-back, playing more as a winger than a defender.
It is telling that when he is available, the World Cup winner's presence reduces Leroy Sane to the bench, such is the frequency at which he goes down the left wing. Not to mention his crossing ability, which is second to none.
3. Kyle Walker - Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester City - £53m
Having arrived at Manchester City in the same summer as Benjamin Mendy, it was strikingly evident that Pep Guardiola was keen on placing emphasis on the significance of the wing-back role.
Walker recorded six assists in his debut season at the Etihad as City went on to win the Premier League and the League Cup, with his pace, strength and tenacity becoming a key feature of Guardiola's tactics.
2. Aymeric Laporte - Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City - £57.2m
After baulking at Southampton's demands for Virgil van Dijk, City turned their focus in tying up a deal for long-term target Aymeric Laporte.
The Frenchman is well known for his excellent passing range from the back.
In the former Athletic Bilbao man, John Stones and Benjamin Mendy, Pep Guardiola has the main components of a defence for the present and the future.
1. Virgil van Dijk - Southampton to Liverpool - £75m
Liverpool smashed the world-record fee for a defender when they paid £75m to bring top target Virgil van Dijk to Anfield, dwarfing Manchester City's £53m paid for Kyle Walker just six months prior.
It has to be said that the arrival of the Dutch international has gone to plan for Jurgen Klopp.
Since making his debut for the Reds, van Dijk has been involved in more Premier League clean sheets than any other player, keeping 10 in just 17 games.
In the same time, Liverpool have conceded just nine goals.