Having a solid back four can often be the basis for many a title winning team, and having a centre half in there who is dominant and leads by example, is imperative in holding it all together.

Many successful teams in the past have prided themselves on great back fours, from the AC Milan teams of the early 90's, to Arsenal and the famous back four of Adams, Winterburn, Bould, and Dixon.

The same still rings true in modern history, with Jose Mourinho a fan of making sure his team do not concede goals.

As mentioned, pivotal to this success, is having at least one centre back in place who can dominate a game, and this is needed in the English Championship as much as any other league in the world.

The Championship hosts a wealth of defensive talent, with many top players plying their trade near the top ends of the table as they strive to reach the Premier League.

With this thought in mind, we at FLW have identified FIVE Championship centre backs who Premier League clubs should look to sign......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE CENTRE-BACKS!

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Lewis Dunk

The Brighton centre back has been superb all season as the Seagulls have mounted a real challenge at the top of the table, as they look to reach the Premier League for the first time.

Dunk has been a first team regular all season, and attracted plenty of attention in January only for Brighton to hang onto their star defender.

If the Seagulls do not manage to make it to the top flight, then many clubs will surely be sniffing around Dunk.

He is likely to command a hefty fee, but looks every bit worth it at the moment, and has every chance of competing in the Premier League with Brighton as it stands.

Daniel Ayala

Ayala has been absolutely solid all season long for Middlesbrough, forming the main part of one of the meanest back fours in the league.

He has excelled since his move from Liverpool, and become the lynch pin in Aitor Karanka's team, which looks set to put a real challenge in for the title in the final weeks of the season.

The Spaniard is still only 25, and has his prime years ahead of him for sure. Should Boro miss out on the top 2, then it seems likely someone in the Premier League may well take a punt on Ayala.

Tom Lees

The big defender signed for Sheffield Wednesday two seasons ago from Leeds United, with fans of Leeds more than happy to see him leave.

However, since the move, he has managed to transform himself into one of the best centre backs in the league, and formed excellent partnerships with both Glen Loovens and Michael Turner at the back this season.

Lees is a commanding presence who the Owls miss when he is not there, and he has been instrumental in their run to a play off place. Manager Carlos Carvalhal will be hoping to have Lees available for next season, regardless of what league they end up in.

Michael Keane

The former Man United youngster is one of the star performers in the league, helping Burnley climb to the top of the table and forming a formidable partnership with Ben Mee at the back.

Keane was courted in January by some of the Premier Leagues top clubs, with Stoke City showing lots of interest.

The classy centre half though will be keen to get the Clarets into the Premier League and prove himself at the top level with the club, showing his old club Man United just exactly what they are missing out on.

Grant Hanley

The giant Blackburn defender has remained loyal to the club during some testing times, but at 24, may well be looking for a move now to showcase his talents at a higher level.

The 24 year old has made nearly 200 appearances for Rovers during his career, and represented the Scottish under 21 team over 20 times.

He has though yet to realise his ambition of playing for the first team of his country, and it may be a move to the Premier League can cast him into the spotlight and give him that opportunity.

Highly rated, Hanley often slips under the radar when talking about top centre halves in the Championship, but he is certainly a quality operator.