In brief
A number of criteria have been used to rank the top 20 centre backs in Premier League history.
Chelsea great John Terry tops the list, surpassing players like Virgil van Dijk and Rio Ferdinand.
Nemanja Vidic, Vincent Kompany, and Tony Adams are among the other well-known figures to be featured.
Some of the best defensive players in football history have appeared in the Premier League. Most people agree that Sir Alex Ferguson is the best manager in Premier League history. He famously remarked, “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.” Over the years, a number of players have drawn attention to the backline, and many people are arguing over who the best player in league history is.
Many will recall Jose Mourinho’s legendary Chelsea squad from the 2004–05 season, when they finished ahead of teams like Manchester United and Arsenal and only gave up 15 goals to win their first league title in 50 years. That season, the Blues’ success was largely attributed to their back four.
In this day and age, having a solid defensive is essential. Supporters will recall the bygone era when the team’s centre defenders risked their lives for them. Players in the modern game, however, also need to be excellent with the ball at their feet. Who else can be regarded as one of the greatest center-backs in Premier League history, with players like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Nemanja Vidic going down as three of the greatest?
Factors that rank
Team importance can be categorised as goals, assists, or clean sheets. However, they rank higher on the list the more goals they have scored or the better they have defended.
Club trophies: A player is rated higher on this list if they have contributed significantly to their team’s trophy wins. Winning trophies is the main goal of professional football, and these players succeeded in doing so.
Although defenders don’t have to score a lot of goals, their ability in the final third is taken into account because goals win games.
Assists: Although a center-back’s primary responsibility is to prevent goals, their skill with the ball is as crucial.
Longevity: You must have played continuously for a considerable amount of time in order to be regarded as one of the greatest centre defenders in Premier League history.
Clean sheets: A center-back’s clean sheet record is essential for them to rank well on the list.
The Premier League’s Top 20 Best Center-Backs
Rank
Name
Premier League teams
One
Terry, John
Chelsea
2.
Ferdinand, Rio
Manchester United, Leeds United, West Ham United, and QPR
3.
Van Dijk, Virgil
Liverpool and Southampton
4.
Adams, Tony
The Arsenal
5.
Kompany, Vincent
City of Manchester
6.
Vidic Nemanja
United Manchester
7.
Campbell, Sol
Newcastle United, Portsmouth, Tottenham, and Arsenal
8.
Bruce Steve
United Manchester
9.
Pallister, Gary
Middlesborough and Manchester United
10.
Carvalho Ricardo
Chelsea
11.
Jaap Stam
United Manchester
Twelve
Desailly, Marcel
Chelsea
13.
Carragher, Jamie
Liverpool
14
Toure Kolo
Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal
15.
King Ledley
Tottenham
16
Paul McGrath
Derby County’s Aston Villa
17
Hyypia Sami
Liverpool
18
Keown, Martin
Arsenal and Everton
19.
Stones, John
Manchester City and Everton
20
Hendry, Colin
Bolton Wanderers, Coventry City, and Blackburn Rovers
20 Colin Hendry
Premier League teams: Bolton Wanderers, Coventry City, and Blackburn Rovers
Colin Hendry’s achievements, which include winning the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and a treble with Rangers, are testaments to his remarkable career. Indeed, just these two accomplishments demonstrate why he merits a place on our list.
Known as the “Braveheart of Football,” the Scottish defender used his unwavering perseverance and intense will to stay at the top of the game for the whole of an incredible career that included more than 500 league games. Hendry became a genuine warrior of the game, making a lasting impression on Premier League history with his dominant presence on the pitch and unflinching dedication to his profession.
Premier League Statistics for Colin Hendry
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
218
8.
4.
75
19 John Stones Premier League teams: Manchester City and Everton
John Stones has been a superb player for Pep Guardiola. The English defender, who took on an unusual role by moving into midfield, was dubbed “the Barnsley Beckenbauer” for his exceptional performances in the centre of Manchester City’s team during their treble-winning campaign two seasons ago.
The Englishman would surely be placed considerably higher if this ranking were based only on trophies. He has won six Premier League titles in his nine seasons in the northwest. Stones has developed into one of the greatest centre backs in Premier League history thanks to his incredible ball-handling skills. But Guardiola’s unflinching faith in him is his greatest accomplishment. Guardiola has turned the mistake-prone former Everton player into one of City’s most renowned and esteemed lieutenants.
Statistics for John Stones in the Premier League
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
244
11.
2.
74
18 Martin Keown Premier League teams: Arsenal and Everton
Forget about Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry for a while; Martin Keowns was the one who could lead a team to victory in those crucial games by guiding them through thick and thin. Keown, who is frequently regarded as one of the hardest football players of the Premier League era, was one of Arsenal’s human battering rams during their most prosperous period as a football team. Every team needs a player like Keown.
A technically talented and highly decorated defender, he occasionally let his vicious side to get the better of him, most notably in the September 2003 incident with Ruud van Nistelrooy. Keown and a number of Gunners’ players encircled the Dutch striker, insulting him as he lay on the ground after the United front missed a last-minute penalty in a heated encounter between Arsenal and Manchester United. This violent conduct led to a dramatic altercation in which he seemed to kick the falling Dutchman, which eventually came to symbolise the intense rivalry between the clubs that still exists today.
Premier League Statistics for Martin Keown
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
323
4.
One
108
17
Liverpool is a Sami Hyypia Premier League club.
For the pittance of £2.6 million, Sami Hyypia, a Finnish legend and one of his country’s most renowned football exports, was a mainstay in Liverpool’s defence for almost ten years.
During his tenure at Anfield, he was named an honorary Scouser for his contributions to the illustrious treble-winning team, which helped Gerard Houllier’s team win the League Cup, UEFA Cup, and FA Cup in 2001. He was unknown before coming to England, but after playing 464 games for the Reds, scoring 35 goals, and winning 10 major trophies, he left as a genuine cult legend in a time when sustained success was hard to come by.
Premier League Statistics for Sami Hyppia
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
318
22
8.
125
16
Paul McGrath Premier League teams: Derby County and Aston Villa
Paul McGrath moved to Aston Villa after seven incredible years at Manchester United, when he overcame his physical limitations and fought recurrent injuries to cement his place in Premier League history.
McGrath finished the first Premier League season as the PFA Player of the Year, having won the FA Cup and the League Cup double. Even though he never played for a typical big six team after the top division was renamed, he is one of just two defenders to get this coveted award since it was first given out in 1993, confirming his standing as a true icon of the game.
The Premier League Stats of Paul McGrath
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
166
6.
3.
40
15 Tottenham and other Ledley King Premier League teams
In the top 20, another one-club player. Regretfully, King suffered injuries for the majority of his career. If these problems didn’t happen frequently, he would be higher on the list. But in spite of his misfortune, he was unmatched in power, tackling, and defensive ability. A key member of Tottenham’s squad in the past, the former England international constantly caused trouble for opposing strikers.
Before retiring in 2012 at the age of 32, he made just 268 top-flight games in 13 years with the Spurs senior side, frequently stopping opposition assaults on his own with his shrewd defensive skills.
Premier League Statistics for Ledley King
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
268
10.
8.
63
14 Kolo Toure Premier League teams: Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal
One of the most recognisable defenders to ever play in the Premier League is Kolo Toure. Even though he won’t be as well-known as some of the other people on our list, he had a fantastic career in England. Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ team relied heavily on the Ivorian, whose versatility and dependability paid off for Arsene Wenger’s team.
Toure showed excellent strength, speed, and game reading while playing as both centre back and even right back. Toure, who is regarded as one of the best African players in Premier League history, had his best moments while wearing a Gunners shirt, but he was a member of the Manchester City team that won the league for the first time in the club’s history in 2011–12. Among the top defenders of his generation, he is frequently disregarded. Before leaving the league in 2016, Toure was a reliable back for Liverpool in addition to making an impression at Arsenal and City.
Premier League Statistics for Kolo Toure
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
352
Twelve
10.
108
13 Premier League teams with Jamie Carragher: Liverpool
Carragher was a vital member of Liverpool’s back line for well over ten years and was well-known for his dedication to the team. The former England international could play a variety of defensive positions, even though he started out as a centre-back. He is one of Liverpool’s greatest players ever because of his deep knowledge of the game.
Although one-club players are extremely uncommon in this league, Carragher’s devotion to Liverpool is undeniable. Alongside Steven Gerrard, he demonstrated exceptional leadership during his tenure at Anfield in addition to being a fantastic player. He is still regarded as a club legend and is well-liked by all Liverpool supporters.
Premier League Statistics for Jamie Carragher
Looks
Clean Sheets
Winning Games
Lost Games
508
195
264
120
12 Marcel Desailly
Premier League teams: Chelsea
When Chelsea signed Desailly in after his beloved France won the World Cup in 1998, Chelsea supporters were ecstatic. He was an instant success with the club and was a welcome addition to the west London team due to his expertise and top-tier leadership. The former France international quickly became a fan favourite and possessed all the qualities that make a top-tier centre-back.
He stood out due to his toughness, speed, and poise when handling the ball. Desailly thrived at the club and made important interceptions and tackles during a period when the team was only beginning to establish itself as one of the best in the nation because to his intelligence and game reading. Although he was among the greatest in the nation while he was at Chelsea, the fact that he failed to win a league title during his tenure there accounts for his relatively low ranking on the list.
Premier League Statistics for Marcel Desailly
Looks
Clean Sheets
Gains
Losses
158
54
78
30
4 11 Premier League teams in the Jaap Stam: Manchester United
Even if he didn’t stay at Manchester United long enough, Jaap Stam had a huge impact at Old Trafford. After an outstanding time at PSV Eindhoven, the defender was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1998. During his tenure in England, he was a defensive behemoth whose strength and intellect made him a fearsome force to be reckoned with. The former Netherlands international was a vital member of United’s 1999 treble-winning squad and read the game flawlessly.
At Old Trafford, his 1998–99 season will live on in perpetuity. After winning two more league titles with the team, Stam left Manchester in 2001 to join Lazio of Serie A. Many United supporters were taken aback by Ferguson’s decision to let the defender go.
Premier League Statistics for Jaap Stam
Looks
Clean Sheets
Gains
Losses
79
22
52
5.
10 Ricardo Carvalho Chelsea and other Premier League teams
The Portuguese quickly made a name for himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League after joining Chelsea with Mourinho in 2004. For a number of years, his relationship with John Terry was perhaps the greatest in the nation, and the two of them gave Chelsea’s success a very strong foundation throughout that time.
The choice to sign the defender paid off well, as he helped the Blues win their first Premier League trophy in the 2004–05 season by helping them maintain a record of giving up just 15 goals in 38 league games. Carvalho was one of the greatest centre defenders in league history because of his superior positioning, tackling, and game knowledge.
Statistics for Ricardo Carvalho in the Premier League
Looks
Clean Sheets
Gains
Losses
135
63
95
14
9 Gary Pallister Premier League teams: Middlesbrough and Manchester United
Pallister was undoubtedly a formidable man and a commanding presence at the centre of United’s defence. The Englishman’s physical presence and skill in the air made it difficult for opposition forwards, which was crucial to the Red Devils’ early Premier League success. Pallister won four Premier League titles when he was a member of the team.
His collaboration with Steve Bruce gave the team’s attacking players a strong defensive foundation on which to build. Despite his height, Pallister possessed amazing speed and was a very well-rounded defender, making him a full-time centre-back. After United acquired Stam, he was finally taken out of the team at the age of 33 and sold to Middlesbrough in 1998.
Premier League Statistics for Gary Pallister
Looks
Clean Sheets
Gains
Losses
261
104
144
49
8 Steve Bruce Manchester United and other Premier League teams
Ironically, Pallister’s former centre-back partner, Steve Bruce, is next on the list. Similar to Pallister, the Englishman was crucial to United’s early 1990s success. It’s safe to conclude that he was a strong, hard-tackling defender who also shown exceptional leadership qualities. Even now, United supporters still talk about and cherish his connection with Pallister.
He won three Premier League titles before departing in 1996 to join Birmingham City, but much of his success as an individual occurred before to the Premier League’s creation. He ranks quite high on the list because, at the height of his power, he was always prepared to risk his life for the benefit of his team.
The Premier League Stats of Steve Bruce
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
148
11.
5.
61
Seven Sol Campbell Premier League teams: Newcastle United, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Portsmouth
After spending nine years in the white part of north London, Campbell joined Arsenal in 2001 and will always be the public enemy number one among Tottenham supporters. Despite his highly contentious decision, there is no denying his extraordinary talent. The ex-defender was a person who attracted notice. He was a formidable foe for any assailant because to his power and toughness.
The ‘Invincibles’ team relied heavily on Campbell throughout his tenure with the Gunners. During his tenure at Arsenal, the defender was one of the greatest center-backs in the nation. He would rarely disappoint his club with strong, reliable performances. Many people tend to undervalue the Englishman’s time at Portsmouth because he was still a vital member of the defence and was a member of the Pompey squad that won the FA Cup in 2008.
Premier League Statistics for Sol Campbell
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
503
20
15.
154
Manchester United is one of six Nemanja Vidic Premier League clubs.
His legendary defensive duo with Rio Ferdinand will be remembered by many Premier League supporters. The quintessential no-nonsense centre-back, Vidic was always available to provide vital moments when needed. The legendary former Serbian player was known for his brutal style of defence. His courage on the football pitch is unquestionable; he never hesitates to risk his life.
Vidic was a formidable opponent for any striker due to his strength and skill in the air. Vidic was probably one of the top centre backs in the nation from 2006 to 2013, helping United win several league titles during that time. When rival players saw Vidic in the starting eleven, it was always going to be a difficult day at work, and he is still a favourite among Old Trafford supporters.
Premier League Statistics for Nemanja Vidic
Looks
Clean Sheets
Gains
Losses
211
95
149
27
Manchester City is one of the Premier League clubs that Vincent Kompany plays for
Vincent Kompany will be remembered as one of the best centre backs in league history, even if he suffered a number of injuries in the latter part of his tenure at Manchester City. He was a behemoth at the back for City when he was free. With his leadership skills evident, he transformed the squad from mid-table mediocrity to the dominant force in English football over his 11 years at the club.
Who could forget his amazing performance in his final home game for City in 2019 against Leciester? With the score tied at zero, the Belgian centre-back grabbed the ball and drove to the edge of the Leicester City box. In a crucial match, he then hammered the ball into the top corner of the net to win all three points. One of the greatest foreign players to ever play in the Premier League, without a doubt.
Statistics for Vincent Kompany in the Premier League
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
265
18
8.
94
4 Premier League teams that Tony Adams plays for: Arsenal
Arsene Wenger referred to him as a “professor of defence,” while George Graham labelled him “my colossus.” It is uncommon to see a one-club man like Tony Adams in contemporary football. He will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders this nation has ever seen because of his ability to read the game and his skill in the air. The Englishman, who goes by “Mr Arsenal,” is a symbol of the Gunners.
He stood out for both his strong defensive approach and his superb game reading. Under his inspiring guidance, the north London team won four Premier League titles and other accolades. His never-say-die attitude embodied Arsenal’s tenacity in the past.
Premier League Statistics for Tony Adams
Looks
Clean Sheets
Gains
Losses
255
115
132
56
Three Premier League teams with Vigil van Dijk: Liverpool and Southampton
The Dutchman’s admirers are beginning to run out of things to say about him. Since joining Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk has undoubtedly been the finest centre-back in the world, although some people disagreeing with his ranking so high above players like Adams and Kompany. He has transformed Liverpool’s defence with his commanding physical presence, poise with the ball, and ability to read the game.
His distribution, aerial skill, and leadership are important aspects of his game. Van Dijk played a key role in Liverpool’s victories in the Premier League and the Champions League. Although there are some doubts about his longevity, his skill and accomplishments with the team are what put him so highly on the list.
Statistics for Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
277
23
8.
109
Two Rio Ferdinand Premier League teams are QPR, Leeds United, Manchester United, and West Ham United.
He was one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history thanks to his poise on the ball, superb passing range, and sophisticated style of play. Throughout his 12 years at Manchester United, the legendary footballer was at the centre of everything positive. He was a superb player with the ball at his feet.
Vidic and Ferdinand will be remembered as one of the greatest teams in Premier League history. They served as the cornerstone of United’s defence and helped the team win multiple championships, including five league crowns, under Sir Alex Ferguson. He was always reliable when called upon, and his leadership abilities are undeniable.
Premier League Statistics for Rio Ferdinand
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
504
11.
8.
189
1 John Terry Chelsea is a Premier League club.
John Terry was the mainstay of Chelsea’s defence for the majority of his 19-year stint there. One may argue that Terry is among the greatest defenders of all time, regardless of who the finest centre-back in Premier League history is. At the height of his abilities, he was the most feared central defender due to his extraordinary game knowledge, perseverance, and physical strength.
The most successful captain in Chelsea’s history guided his team, the Blues, to five Premier League crowns and many more trophies. His reputation as the best centre-back in league history is cemented by his performances and consistency. Terry scored an incredible 41 goals during his tenure at the club, making him a menace in the opposition box in addition to being outstanding in his own penalty area. Playing a key part in the team’s successful Champions League campaign in 2012 was his biggest accomplishment for the team.
Statistics for John Terry in the Premier League
Looks
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
492
41
Twelve
214
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