best premier league center-backs ever

Best Premier League Center backs Of All Time [Unique List]

Oftentimes, center-backs are not given the needed recognition in football. The Premier League is no different. However, some center-backs have been outstanding in the Premier League. Therefore it is necessary to make mention of some of the best Premier League Center Backs of all time.

Before going further, it is important to mention that the Center-backs in this list are selected based on their overall achievements and longevity in the Premier League.

We only consider Center-backs with over 200 Premier League appearances. It would be unfair to consider Center-backs who had less than 200 appearances as overall best in the League.

10. Sami Hyypiä

The Finish Center-back was just an incredible player for Liverpool in the Premier League.

Hyypiä won 2 FA Cup and 2 League Cups in his career amongst other trophies.

Incredibly, Hyypiä scored 22 Premier League goals in 318 Premier League matches.

  • 318 Premier League matches
  • 2 FA Cup
  • 2 League Cups.

Consider Reading: 10 Greatest Liverpool Players of All Time

9. Jamie Carragher

Carragher was indeed a top-class defender for Liverpool during his prime. He played 503 Premier League matches for Liverpool but he never won the league.

However, Carragher won 3 FA Cup and 2 League Cup titles in his Liverpool career.

  • 503 Premier League Appearances
  • 3 FA Cups
  • 2 League Cups.

8. Kolo Toure

Toure played 354 Premier League matches for Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. However, the Ivorian had his best playing time at Arsenal.

In his prime, Toure was a top-class center back in the Premier League.

Overall, Toure won 2 Premier League and 3 FA Cup titles.

It is also important to mention that Kolo Toure was part of the Arsenal Invincibles that won the Premier League unbeaten. Check out the Invincibles staggering stats.

  • 354 Premier League matches
  • 2 Premier League
  • 3 FA Cups.

Read Also: Revealed: Why Aubameyang Left Arsenal for Barcelona 

7. Sol Campbell

Arsenal Legend Sol Campbell was one of the best Premier League Center Backs of all time during his peak.

Campbell played 503 Premier League matches in his career for Arsenal, Portsmouth, and Newcastle.

Sol Campbell won 2 Premier League, 4 FA Cup, and 1 League titles in his glittering career.

  • 503 Premeir League Appearances
  • 2 Premier League Titles
  • 4 FA Cup
  • 1 League Cup.

6. Nemanja Vidic

Vidic played most of his Premier League matches as a Center-back partner with Rio Ferdinand. Vidic and Ferdinand formed one of the best partnerships in football.

In 211 matches, Vidic proved to be one of the best Center-backs in the Premier League.

Vidic won the Premier League 5 times and the League Cup 3 times in his career. In truth, Vidic was really a top-class defender in his prime.

Interestingly, Manchester United signed Vidic for just €8.50m from Spartak Moscow.

  • 211 Premier League matches
  • 5 Premier League Titles
  • 3 League Cups.

5. Gary Pallister

Pallister played most of his Premier League career at Manchester United and Middlesbrough and he was one of the best Center Backs of all time.

During his playing career, Pallister won 4 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, and 1 League Cup titles.

Overall, Pallister played 263 Premier League matches and he did prove how good he was during his time.

  • 263 Premier League matches
  • 4 Premier League
  • 3 FA Cups
  • 1 League Cup.

4. Rio Ferdinand

There is no doubt that Rio Ferdinand is one of the best Premier League Center-backs.

Ferdinand played 503 Premier League matches and won 6 league titles. He also won 3 League Cup titles.

In his prime, Ferdinand was a menace to any attacker in the Premier League and he’ll be remembered for a long time.

(On the flip side, Ferdinand owns one of the best football podcasts you can follow.)

  • 503 Premier League matches
  • 6 league Titles
  • 3 League Cup.

3. Tony Adams

In his peak, Tony Adams was actually unplayable and unbeatable.

Adams spent his entire career at Arsenal during the ’80s and he played 255 Premier League matches.

No doubt, Adams is one of the best Premier League Center Backs of all time. He won 4 Premier League, 3 FA Cup, and 2 League Cup titles in his outstanding career.

  • 255 Premier League matches
  • 4 Premier League
  • 3 FA Cup
  • 2 League Cup.

2. Vincent Kompany

Manchester City’s ex-captain was no doubt one of the best Premier League Center Backs of all time during his time.

Kompany was indeed a rock in Manchester City’s defence. No wonder he is one of Manchester City’s best players ever.

Kompany played 265 Premier League matches and scored 18 League goals for City. Definitely, his screamer against Leicester City has to be Kompany’s best goal for Manchester City.

Incredibly, Kompany won 10 domestic titles in England – 4 Premier League, 2 FA Cups, and 4 League Cups.

  • 265 Premier League matches
  • 4 Premier League
  • 2 FA Cups
  • 4 League Cups.

1. John Terry

During his peak, John Terry was unbeatable. He was not just unbeatable, he was Chelsea’s most reliable goalscoring defender.

In 492 Premier League matches, Terry scored a whopping 41 goals – which is decent for a Center-back.

Incredibly, John Terry won 5 Premier League, 5 FA Cup, and 3 League Cup titles.

Consider Reading: Ranking: 10 Best Chelsea Players of All Time

  • 492 Premier League matches
  • 5 Premier League Tiltes
  • 5 FA Cups
  • 3 League Cups.

Conclusion

Evidently, John Terry is the most successful, hence, the best Premier League Center Backs of all time. He won the most domestic trophies among all the Center-backs on the list.

Also, John Terry was consistent for many years in the Premier League, leading to his 492 appearances.

Vincent Kompany was really close but no doubt that John Terry was the absolute best Center-back in the Premier League history.

Further Reading:

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