Who are the best centre-backs of the Premier League era?
From Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-dominant Manchester United, Jose Mourinho’s no-fearing Chelsea, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal’s Invincibles and the modern-day force of Manchester City, these managers and teams have been blessed to have worked with and witnessed some of the greatest of them all.
There has been a sea-change in the art of defending over the decades. The Premier League era (post-1992) has produced some of the best centre-backs the game has ever seen.
From the old-school no-nonsense style to the risky approach of playing out from the back without any fear. And if you are blessed enough, you have it all in your locker.
Here at HITC, we will take a look at the 7 best centre-backs of the Premier League era:
1) John Terry (Chelsea) – 492 Premier League appearances, 41 goals, 311 wins, 214 clean sheets & five Premier League titles
One of two Chelsea players on our list, and perhaps the greatest. From Jose Mourinho to Carlo Ancelotti, he could play and adapt for any manager.
John Terry won five Premier League titles, all as captain, the first coming under the stewardship of the incomparable, Jose Mourinho in 2004/05, before winning his last under Antonio Conte in 2016/17.
That showcased Terry’s longevity in his career because, while some started to fall off towards the end of their careers, he kept going and proving his worth.
Another player who could do the lot, one of Terry’s biggest strengths was his footballing intelligence. The marmite-like figure could read the game like no other and deserves to be top of our list.
2) Rio Ferdinand (West Ham United, Leeds United, Manchester United & Queens Park Rangers) – 504 appearances, 11 goals, 291 wins, 189 clean sheets & six Premier League titles
A Rolls-Royce for a reason and the first Manchester United player on our list. Rio Ferdinand was a smooth operator out on the pitch.
Coming through during a great era of West Ham United’s academy, playing in a young and fearless Leeds United team, before winning the lot at Old Trafford.
Today’s game doesn’t just require you to defend your line, penalty area and win your individual duals. But to bring the ball out from the back like you have a midfielder’s mind. And Ferdinand had just that.
Now working as a pundit, if you ever wanted to pick the brains of a centre-back and how to do it, then Ferdinand is your man. Six Premier League titles, including playing in an era of perhaps the greatest Manchester United side of all time, says it all.
3) Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) – 265 appearances, 18 goals, 167 wins, 94 clean sheets & 4 Premier League titles
One of a number of players who can rightfully wear the armband on this list. The man who played a key role in starting Manchester City’s dominance.
With four Premier League titles to his name. Vincent Kompany is a legendary figure in the blue half of Manchester and there is a reason why he has a statue of himself outside of the Etihad.
The calm nature with which he went about his business, and his ability to get the absolute best out of those around him, is what makes him a modern-day great.
If it wasn’t for injuries towards the back end of his career, then he probably would have won a lot more.
4) Sol Campbell (Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth & Newcastle United) – 503 appearances, 20 goals, 212 wins, 154 clean sheets & 2 Premier League titles
Perhaps the greatest free transfer of them all. Tottenham Hotspur fans may no longer like him, but Sol Campbell is certainly adored and still talked about to this day on the other side of north London.
Not many players can say they are Invincible. But Campbell and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal were just that.
Campbell was someone who backed his ability to the highest order and proved it out on the field. Playing in one of the greatest-ever Premier League teams of all time (03-04), it would be barmy not to have a player from that team on this list.
5) Jaap Stam (Manchester United) – 79 appearances, 52 wins, 22 clean sheets & 3 Premier League titles
When you are one of Alex Ferguson’s biggest regrets, then you know you had something special about you. The second Manchester United player on our list, Jaap Stam had it all.
From the ability to drive with the ball, bully some of the world’s best strikers, mark open space with ease and use his speed to catch up with the quickest of forwards. If you wanted to build the perfect centre-back, of any era, then Stam is your man.
A Treble-winner in his first-ever season in English football is enough for Stam to be on this list. The fact that he only played 79 Premier League games before Alex Ferguson regrettably sold him is a crying shame.
6) Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea) – 135 appearances, 7 goals, 95 wins, 63 clean sheets & 3 Premier League titles
One of Jose Mourinho’s first signings at Chelsea, and what a player he was!
The former Porto man produced a record-breaking partnership alongside John Terry when they conceded just 15 goals to win the club’s first title in decades in 2004/05, as well as a, yet to be broken, 25 clean sheets!
A player with immense composure and class. Three Premier League titles during the best era for Chelsea. You could argue that the Portuguese star also had a massive effect on Terry and the career he would go on to have in Chelsea colours.
7) Tony Adams (Arsenal) – 255 appearances, 12 goals, 132 wins, 115 clean sheets & 2 Premier League titles
The second legendary Arsenal player on our list. The old typical 1-0 to the Arsenal was built and made famous because of players like Tony Adams.
A hard-hitting defender who wouldn’t give his opponents an inch. Mr. Arsenal spent his entire career playing for Arsenal and is rightfully one of the club’s greatest-ever players. Another leader of the pack, Adams was a trustworthy player out on the pitch.
With four Premier League titles to his name. The 66-cap England star would be much higher on the list, if you included his achievements pre-1992.
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