Ranking of 20 best centre-backs in Premier League history

Virgil Van Dijk has been one of the world’s most advantageous centre-backs since joining Liverpool from Southampton in 2018, with Dutch stars almost always in control of what’s behind.

But who is the best central defender in the Premier League since its inception in 1992? We witnessed elegant ball kicks, goal training and pure sweepers, but someone has to rank first…

Ranking factors

• Appearance

• title

• Clean bed linen

• Personal Honors

• What did others say to them

20 Best Centre-Back in Premier League History: Pictures

20

Gary Cahill

Aston Villa, Bolton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace

After Gary Cahill started his Premier League career with Aston Villa and Bolton, Gary Cahill named the Stamford Bridge with Chelsea and won two league titles with John Terry.

In fact, Terry at one point described Cahill as “a different class” and “the best central defender in England”, who was named PFA Team of the Year on three different occasions.

19

Kolo Toure

Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool

There aren’t many players who can say they’ve played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, but this was played between 2002 and 2016 by Kolo Toure.

The Ivorian is part of the Gunners’ “famous “invincible” lineup, whose artificial ability, speed and power in the air make him known as one of the most underrated players in the media in the Premier League era.

18

Marcel Desailly

Chelsea

Marcel Desailly is not only the highest central defender, but France’s idol can also be a ball-handling midfielder if needed.

Throughout his career, he has won multiple trophies, including three honors as Chelsea players and has made the defending effect easy in England. Desailly did not win the Premier League title, but he was appointed to the PL team in a decade between 1992 and 2002.

17

Paul McGrath

Aston Villa, Derby County

Aston Villa legend Paul McGrath was 32 years old when the Premier League was formed, but he still continued to make more than 160 appearances in top flights, most of which were in Villa Park.

Former manager Ron Atkinson even praised McGrath as the best center in the Premier League ever and is still called “God” by the Villas.

16

Ridley King

Tottenham

Spurs icon Ledley King has held more than 250 Premier League matches at White Hart Lane and has become Tottenham’s legend.

In fact, if it weren’t for Rio de Janeiro and Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, King would have won over 21 England hats, because during his peak, King even “reminds some observers of the great Bobby Moore” that wasn’t a bad comparison to owning.

15

Sami Hyypia

Liverpool

Sami Hyypia, a leading member of the Liverpool side that won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000/01, was a bargain against the Reds after signing more than £2.5m from Willem II.

The Finnish Giant became “one of the cleverest businesses the club has ever had” and will continue to head to Liverpool Captain. He never won the Premier League, but left his mark.

14

Jamie Carragher

Liverpool

Jamie Carragher began his right-back career before Rafael Benitez was moved to the Centre and went on to establish himself as a Liverpool legend.

Carragher has made more than 700 appearances at Anfield’s defender and has been known as the best defender in England in his career as Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Sol Campbell, but he has never mentioned the league title in his 17 years as a Liverpool professional.

13

John Stones

Everton, Manchester City

The modern centre-back in the Premier League era is great and no better defensively than John Stones.

He has been a favorite of Pep Guardiola of Etihad Stadium, and he even served as a midfielder in his time as his role. Guardiola said he “loved” the stone, calling him “incredible”, and the former Everton man won six titles and was named twice in the city as the PFA team of the year.

12

Martin Keown

Everton, Arsenal

In fact, one defender who did cancel the championship three times is Arsenal’s Martin Keown. At the peak of his career at the 26-year-old founded in the Premier League, Keown moved from Everton to the Gunners in 1993, getting better as he got older.

After more than a decade of starring in Highbury, Keown received a fairy tale dispatch in May 2004 as part of the “Invincible” team and is regarded as “one of the club’s greatest defenders.”

11

Gary Pallister

Manchester United, Middlesbrough

Gary Pallister was at the top of the game at the age of 27 and will continue to help Man Utd win four titles in five years.

The pace of the towering defender, “Excellent ball control” and “Excellent aerial ability.” Pallister became a Red Devil legend and was even appointed in Roy Keane’s Dream Man utd XI.