In brief
We’ve listed and ranked the top 20 Premier League captains of all time.
Legends from one club, like Mark Noble and Steven Gerrard, deserve to be on the list.
Some of the most successful captains the Premier League has ever seen are Roy Keane and John Terry.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of a captain. In addition to setting an example on the field, the person wearing the armband is also essential to maintaining unity in the locker room. A captain keeps the team focused and organised by communicating the coach’s plan and making decisions in real time. They act as a liaison between players and management, frequently settling disputes and standing up for colleagues.
Some characters are not suited for this skill set, while for others, they are the ideal men for the part. The top 20 Premier League captains in history, including several men who have won the league title, have been listed below based on a few important criteria.
Ranking Elements
Total aptitude
The calibre of team leadership
Duration of captaincy
Effect on the team’s Trophies
Important data (clean sheets, goals)
10Wes Morgan
Leicester City
It isn’t insulting to suggest that Wes Morgan could have been lacking in some parts of his game in terms of sheer brilliance. But Leicester City accomplished the unimaginable with him in the centre of the defence.
Few could have foreseen the success of the Jamaican international’s cooperation with Robert Huth. The Foxes’ ability to maintain clean sheets, however, was what ultimately won them the Premier League title at the end of their incredible run. One of the most startling moments in sports history was Leicester’s moment of glory. Morgan deserves his spot in the top 10 as captain of that historic squad.
9Steve Bruce
Manchester United
During his managing career, Steve Bruce’s reputation has suffered a serious hit, especially because of his time at teams like Newcastle United. But that appears to have eclipsed the fact that Bruce was an excellent captain and defender when he was playing.
When Manchester United won their first Premiership title, Bruce was co-captain, and his historic late double against Sheffield Wednesday virtually sealed the victory. The man who was among the finest to never represent his country deserves his rightful accolades just for that influence.
8Eric Cantona
Manchester United
The Old Trafford King. As a player, was Eric Cantona always the best example? He was not, as evidenced by his kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park. When it came time to replace Steve Bruce as captain, the erratic talent was a reasonable choice because he nearly single-handedly turned the tide at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Frenchman’s entry takes into account not only his last years with the armband but also his impact across his whole United tenure. But his late FA Cup final victory over Liverpool—possibly his most well-known event in a red shirt—did accompany him as captain.
7Alan Shearer
Newcastle United
Alan Shearer, the only player to make it into the top 10 without winning a Premier League championship while captain, earned his lone medal at Blackburn while Tim Sherwood was leading him out. Nevertheless, no player at Newcastle has ever been as respected as the renowned number nine, even though they have never won the big one at St. James’ Park.
He scored the majority of his record-breaking 260 Premier League goals while wearing the armband, including 148 goals while playing for his boyhood club. Even though his legacy is already established, he might have risen even higher on this list if he had been able to take home the black and white trophy.
6Patrick Vieira
Arsenal
It’s inevitable that you’ll rank high on this list as the captain of a team that once lasted a whole season without losing. Patrick Vieira’s participation is therefore not shocking. The Frenchman was a formidable presence in the middle of the park and one of the hardest and most technically talented players to ever grace English football.
Even though Vieira is considered one of the greatest midfielders the league has ever seen, his tenure as captain is less valuable now that Arsenal has had a more significant captain in recent memory. Mikel Arteta would be thrilled to have someone like him leading the way in the current squad, so don’t discount what he did do.
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