Edmond Tapsoba has cemented his reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s premier defenders, with the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back placed fourth in the latest semi-annual rankings published by German football magazine Kicker. The summer assessment evaluates performances from the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, placing the Burkina Faso international among the division’s elite.
Kicker’s Elite Centre-Back Rankings
The respected German publication releases its player ratings every six months, categorising performers by position and performance level. In the most recent centre-back listings, Tapsoba sits just outside the top three, demonstrating his continued importance to Bayer Leverkusen.
Borussia Dortmund‘s Nico Schlotterbeck follows closely behind in fifth position, while Luka Vuskovic—who completed a move from Hamburger SV to Brighton & Hove Albion—secures seventh place. The rankings reflect the Croatian teenager’s rapid development prior to his transfer to the Premier League.
Borussia Mönchengladbach captain Nico Elvedi occupies eighth spot, with Waldemar Anton completing a notable Dortmund presence in ninth. The Black and Yellows also have Ramy Bensebaini listed in 13th position.
Leverkusen and League Representation
Bayer Leverkusen enjoy additional representation through Jarell Quansah, who appears in 17th place. The English defender features in the rankings alongside his more experienced Burkina Faso teammate.
1. FC Heidenheim captain Patrick Mainka features in 16th position, representing the smaller clubs competing among Germany’s defensive elite. The rankings typically favour players from established top-tier sides, making Mainka’s inclusion particularly noteworthy.
Tapsoba’s fourth-place finish underscores his consistency at the highest level. The Burkina Faso international has established himself as a key figure in Leverkusen’s defensive line, with these performances evidently recognised by Kicker‘s assessment panel.
The semi-annual nature of these ratings means players are judged on sustained form rather than isolated performances. For Tapsoba, maintaining a top-four standing reinforces his status as one of Africa’s outstanding defensive exports currently operating in European football’s top five leagues.