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Greatest Premier League Defenders of All Time

Whether expertly stealing the ball from their opponents, stopping goals in their tracks, or simply guarding the teams' records as best as possible, these are the greatest Premier League defenders in history.

By Gerald OppugnePublished 6 years ago 8 min read
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Truly memorable names, like that of Arsene Wenger and Steve Bruce, will be written into history as some of the most powerhouse defenders ever to take on the Premier League. The following identities, whether by way of propagating the biggest Premier League upsets of 2017, or simply through a long historical edifice like those of Bruce and Wenger, have pushed the bounds in strategic defensive play and, ultimately, have altered the game itself. There's only so much a defender can do in the heat of the moment, but these are the players that truly test their own skills and that of the players' around them, as well.

This list goes beyond naming the best of the best. It seeks to pinpoint the exact people who made Premier League history through modified and adaptive play. This can be witnessed most fluidly in Bruce's own League run with that of Gary Pallister in the early 1990s. Manchester United may not have evolved into the unbelievable firm club it stands as today if it weren't for these two defenders and their immense gifts to the sport. For their's and many more renditions of the possible abilities on the pitch, to various accolades rewarded through the years, let's dive into the greatest Premier League defenders of all time...

John Terry

Just last year, many already began stipulating is John Terry the greatest Premier League defender? Though particularly impossible to answer, seeing that the best in any category among the Premier League is warrant for a variety of errors and mixed emotions; still, though, Terry is something else, if not actually superhuman.

Playing centre-back for most of his career, Terry has been viewed as an expert ball handler, positioning more than satisfactory, and tackling with extreme aggression that some have come to even fear. Despite his final season being last year in 2017, Terry is still continuously posited among the best Premier League defenders of all time by captaining his team to five title showdowns.

Rio Ferdinand

Having played for a variety of teams, from West Ham and Leeds, to QPR, Rio Ferdinand is a well know athlete and one of the most appreciated Premier League defenders to enter the pitch. He's appeared in 504 games, for which he seemingly finessed with record clean sheets for his accumulated game history.

It's clear that Ferdinand provided the pitch with a wide range of tackling and steals the likes of which most of us have never seen before, but more so than anything else, Rio was iodized for breaking the transfer rate twice, the second time reaching up to £30 million back in 2002. He's so acclaimed, Rio Ferdinand is on the list of best football players in the world.

Matija Nastasić

Hailing from Serbia, Matija Nastasić first began his Premier League career in 2012 with his transfer to Manchester City for €15 million. He would go on to win the 2014 Premier League, and also took home a total of 15 different caps for Serbia since his international debut in 2012.

Despite currently playing for Schalke, which was initially a loan in 2015, Nastasić has still been considered among the greatest Premier League defenders. Blossomed from Partizan and Fiorentina, the amazing centre-back has high hopes for the future and where he may end up. As a Premier League player, Nastasić has proven himself, though very much of his time is left in injuries and major losses, he still seems to hold himself firm in the resignation that his defensive position will be beneficial for him in the future of Premier League history.

Ricardo Carvalho

Probably of the few less known among this list of the most valued Premier League defenders, Ricardo Carvalho has shown true grit and valor where it's needed in playing for both the Portugal national team and Chinese club Shanghai SIPG. He spent a total of six years with Chelsea, before he split for Real Madrid in 2010 for a fee of £6.7 million.

What drove him to the top of the chart in terms of Premier League defenders is his endless list of accolades, much well making him an under the radar player. He's represented Portugal in three UEFA European Championships, was a member of the 2016 UEFA Euro team and even won two FIFA World Cups. This should be praise alone for his talents on the pitch, but even so he continues to bring his own style to defensive play.

Sol Campbell

With 485 Premier League appearances, 2 Premier League wins, 3 FA Cups, and the 2004 FA Community Shield, it's safe to say that Sol Campbell's among footballers deserving of being deemed the greatest Premier League defenders. He's long since retired, as of 2009, but the Spurs, Arsenal and Portsmouth icon served 17 years to the sport with undeniable wit and talent of his own.

On top of these various claims to fame, Campbell also stopped Manchester United's Treble from turning into a Quadruple amid his 1999 League Cup victory, then also stopped them from making a Treble in his 2008 FA Cup win, too. He's an absolute beast, or at least was, and though he may not still grace the pitch, Campbell will be idolized as among few Premier League defenders to win trophies for Portsmouth and the Spurs! Oh, he also led Arsenal to an unbeaten victory between those very legendary wins.

Nemanja Vidić

Though he may be more well-known as the Serbian national team's poster child between the years of 2002 and 2011, Vidić rose into immediate prominence following his admittance among the "Famous Four" Serbian national team to give up only 1 (yes, one!) goal in the entire 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Since retiring in 2016, Vidić has been heralded as one of the greatest Premier League defenders. His long-time growth alongside Rio Ferdinand during his 2006 season on Manchester United proved to be more than entertaining, but was also highly enlightening for the young Vidić. The two were star defensive players with a chemistry that may be unrivaled still to this very day, many critics and fans alike considering the duo (more often than not Vidić individually) as among the best centre-backs in the League.

Tony Adams

Acclaimed for his award winning talent, charisma, and defensive abilities, Tony Adams finds himself among the best Premier League defenders of all time. His position at centre-back on Arsenal landed him in three FA Cups, two FA Community Shields, two Football League Cups, and a UEFA Cup Winner's Cup, in addition to his inclusion within the Football League 100 Legends, an honor of the highest sort for professional soccer players.

His numerous awards even takes us to England, where he won 66 caps from four major tournaments between 1987 and 2000 (which, interestingly, makes him one of the few captains to lead a title-winning squad in three different decades). He now works as a football manager, switching between the Gabala and Granada sides of soccer club play.

Denis Irwin

Irish based full-back playing between the years of 1983 and 2004, cementing himself as among the greatest Premier League defenders and one of the most prominent club members for Manchester United, Denis Irwin rose to his seat in first plying for Leeds United, Oldham Athletic and, where he ended his long career, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Among receiving 56 caps by the Republic of Ireland, and still to this day considered one of most successful Irish footballers in history, Irwin would win 19 trophies in his long and illustrious career. He's one of those players every true soccer and Man U fan knows made the sport that much more watchable and jarring for those rooting against him.

Gary Pallister

Gary Pallister played as defender from 1984 to 2001, accrediting him as a power player on Manchester United for the nine years of 1989 up until 1998. At the time, his transfer to Man U, among the most successful clubs in Premier League history, actually broke the record for a fee paid for a defender and highest made between British clubs.

Alongside Steve Bruce, another one of the most treasured defenders in soccer, the defensive nature of Manchester United was seemingly shaped under the memorable player. Pallister went on to score a goal against Blackburn Rovers during the 1992-93 season. His various awards over the years, from winning the 1990, 1994, and 1996 FA Cups, the 1992 Football League Cup, the 1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and many more have all secured him as one of the most athletic Premier League defenders.

Vincent Kompany

In 2008, the Premier League would bear witness to one of their most valuable and unpredictable players: Vincent Kompany, whose unrelenting prowess on the field, even at the age of 22, made him a valuable asset at Manchester City.

He's not only considered one of the best Premier League defenders, but he's also among the most defensive centre backs in the Premier League, which is a feat to say the least. For two years in a row, Kompany was inducted into the Premier League Team of the Year, and resting at a remarkable 23, he stands on The Guardians' 100 Best Footballers in the World.

Álvaro Arbeloa

In addition to the vast leagues of unbelievable ability and skill seemingly forgotten, Arbeloa's Spanish heritage made him one of the most talented individuals to hit the pitch circa 2001 (and no one even really knew it). Playing for Spain alone, Arbeloa won the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2008, and Euro 2012, eventually granting him 56 caps for Spain.

Among the most talented Premier League defenders, Arbeloa rose to the top in a rather difficult market, playing first on the reserve team for Real Madrid, then moving on to Liverpool in 2006, only to return to Madrid in 2009 for a £5 million fee. There, the defender showed utmost potential, winning 8 major titles, 2 Champions League titles, and more when including his wins representing his native Spain.

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About the Creator

Gerald Oppugne

I have no idea why I'm here, but let's make the best of it shall we? I like to drink and smoke, so I'll keep you up to date on those worlds if you like em as much as me.

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