Football is the most popular sport of all time. The beauty of this game lies in certain qualities expressed such as hard work, sportsmanship, teamwork, and much more. The main focus of the game is scoring goals and attacking the opponent’s goal. But the bigger responsibility than attacking is the defense as it contains a lot of pressure especially when the team is in a tough situation.
For this purpose many men came as defenders and some of them performed their job remarkably like Paolo Maldini, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos and many other. But today we will rank the top 10 defenders in the history of Premier League. As you know it is the most exciting and expensive football league. Uncountable number of great defenders have played in this league but today we will rank only top 10 among them.
10
Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker has been one of the most efficient center-backs in the world who has played for big EPL clubs like Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Manchester City. With his blending pace, impressive physique, and technique, he has dominated the league and registered his name as one of the best defenders in the Premier League. He is giving an outstanding performance at Manchester City and is a key player in their defense. He has won certain trophies like UCL, Premier League, FA Cup, FA Community Shield and much more. His Premier League stats are as follows:
- Appearances: 395
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 36
- Clean Sheets: 130
*Latest Stats*
9
Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell is a great name in the list of EPL defenders. Although controversial but his performance can’t be neglected. He has played for many big clubs like Tottenham, Arsenal, Portsmouth and Newcastle. His physicality and strength were the main fear of his opponents. Campbell’s move from Spurs to Arsenal raised many questions on his personality but still his performance can’t be looked down upon. His EPL stats are as follows:
- Appearances: 503
- Goals: 20
- Assists: 15
- Clean Sheets: 154
8
Gary Neville
Gary Neville has been a great defender in Premier League history. With his remarkable intelligence and game, he dominated the EPL. He served Manchester United for two decades and was their greatest right-back. The only fear of the opponents along with David Beckham became more dangerous when he attacked the opponent side. His attacking and remarkable crossing creates a nostalgia for the fans. The EPL stats of this great Right Back and the great defender are as follows:
- Appearances: 400
- Goals: 5
- Assists: 35
- Clean Sheets: 148
7
Nemanja Vidic
Sharing the pitch with Rio Ferdinand and doing a remarkable job at Manchester United, he conquered the league. With his strength and bravery, he became the fear of his opponents. His strength made him a key player during the set-pieces strategy. Apart from this he was a successful defender at Manchester United and did a remarkable job. His Premier League stats are as follows:
- Appearances: 211
- Goals: 15
- Assists: 3
- Clean Sheets: 95
6
Vincent Kompany
Vincent started initially as a defensive midfielder but later he starred himself as a great centre-back in the history of EPL. After joining Man City in 2008, he proved him as a success and played a great role. Apart from being a great leader, his remarkable strength and tackling technique helped him a lot to be a successful centre-back in the league. The EPL stats of Vincent Kompany are:
- Appearances: 264
- Goals: 22
- Assists: 7
- Clean Sheets: 103
5
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is a great defender in EPL who is currently active. He has served big clubs like Southampton and currently playing at Liverpool. His remarkable strength and vision make him a great defender. He is the key player at Liverpool at present time and is the backbone of Liverpool as well as his national team Netherlands. his EPL stats are as follows:
- Appearances: 264
- Goals: 22
- Assists: 7
- Clean Sheets: 103
4
Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole is one of the best defenders in EPL history and is often lauded as the best left-back in the history. His remarkable strength, speed, and agility made him the worst nightmare of his opponents and the key of his team. There were many other great left-backs in the Premier League but none of them are even close to Ashley Cole’s level. He has played his career at Chelsea and Arsenal and proved himself as a success at both of these clubs. His EPL stats are:
- Appearances: 385
- Goals: 15
- Assists: 31
- Clean Sheets: 148
3
Tony Adams
Also known as ‘Mr. Arsenal, he served Arsenal for two decades between 1980 and 2000. A display of pure talent and leadership, Tony Adams is regarded as one of the greatest defenders in history and probably the best defender for Arsenal. His leadership and attitude led Arsenal to many trophies and his ability to organize the defence helped Arsenal very much. His EPl stats are as follows:
- Appearances: 255
- Goals: 12
- Assists: 9
- Clean Sheets: 115
2
Rio Ferdinand
An excellent ball-playing defender, Rio Ferdinand was one of the greatest defenders in the history of the Premier League. With his impressive technique and ball-passing ability, he played a crucial role at clubs he played like West Ham United, Leeds United, and Manchester United. His sense of leadership and conjugation helped Manchester United in winning many trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson. His stats of the Premier League are as follows:
- Appearances: 504
- Goals: 11
- Assists: 8
- Clean Sheets: 189
1
John Terry
The greatest defender in the Premier League, John Terry is one of the most toughest opponent any player can expect to face. With his exceptional strength, understanding, tackling, and heading ability John Terry conquered the pitch. He spent his 19 years at Chelsea and won many trophies including five Premier League titles and much more. With his exceptional leadership, he led Arsenal through the hardest league in the world and perhaps for this he may be considered as the greatest defender in England’s history. His EPL stats are as follows:
- Appearances: 492
- Goals: 41
- Assists: 12
- Clean Sheets: 214