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Although watching players like Neymar and Michael Olise beat players with ease is what makes the sport so beautiful for many fans, the art of defending is a skill in itself. In fact, there is a strong argument that the defenders of today are justn’t as solid as they used to be, barring the emergence of world-class stars like Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba.
As the world’s most-watched domestic competition, the Premier League has always showcased some of the finest talents in a variety of positions. Although it’s an ever-changing debate, defenders have also always sparked discussion among football fans, particularly given the abundance of world-class operators England’s top flight has had over the years.
Nowadays, the aforementioned Van Dijk and Saliba are two of the finest defenders in the league, but the competition has been graced by some past professionals who simply loved to get stuck in and win their battles. From central defenders who always gave their all, to full-backs who adored battles with fast wingers, Premier League fans have been treated to some exceptional defenders since the competition was rebranded in 1992.
Defenders are also often regarded as unsung heroes, especially as flair tends to steal the show. So, with a resolute defense being the foundation of so many iconic sides, let’s salute some of the best defenders the Premier League has ever seen.
Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kicking things off with a central defender who is raved about by his former colleagues, Ledley King’s demise was sad to watch given his undoubted ability. The Tottenham hero could hardly train due to a complete absence of his knee cartilage, but you wouldn’t know it given the way in which he conducted his defensive duties with such ease on a Saturday. King was quick, he was comfortable on the ball, he was big and strong, he loved to win tackles and headers, and he was a reliable leader who rarely let Spurs down. In fact, without Ledley King at the back, there’s a strong argument to suggest Tottenham wouldn’t have won two League Cups and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Simply put, without his well-documented knee issues, Ledley King could have gone down as one of the sport’s finest-ever defenders.
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)
A key cog in Chelsea’s wheel under Jose Mourinho, the Blues were a formidable defensive unit. Portuguese star, Ricardo Carvalho, was a reliable presence in their backline alongside the likes of John Terry. These days, Chelsea’s defense certainly isn’t as solid, although the Blues are still being priced at 8/11 to finish in the top 4 this season when assessing online betting odds. Still, while Enzo Maresca’s troops are performing above expectations so far, Ricardo Carvalho would walk into their team if he was playing today. Joining the club shortly after Jose Mourinho became manager in 2004, the former Porto player was part of a record-breaking title-winning defense, where Chelsea picked up 24 clean sheets and conceded just 15 goals in his first season at the club. Tidy on the ball and a fantastic reader of the game, Ricardo Carvalho was excellent.
Jaap Stam (Manchester United)
When modern football fans rave about defenders like Virgil van Dijk like he’s something they’ve never seen before, it’s almost as if players like Jaap Stam have been completely forgotten about. While Stam might not have been as comfortable on the ball as Liverpool’s reliable center-back, he simply loved to defend his box, and he was a crucial part of Manchester United’s defensive unit for the two-and-a-half seasons he played for English football’s most successful club. Stam joined the club in 1998 from PSV as somewhat of an unknown quantity, before going on to be a colossus at back during the Red Devils’ legendary treble-winning season. Although a devastating ACL injury was arguably the main reason behind his United exit, Jaap Stam probably could have played on at Manchester United despite Sir Alex Ferguson doubting if he’d ever be the same player again. The legendary manager didn’t get much wrong, but he has since admitted that deciding to part ways with Stam was a big error. Given the Dutchman’s reliable performances and all-round defensive ability, it certainly felt like it at the time.
Rio Ferdinand (West Ham, Leeds, Manchester United, QPR)
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While we could end this nostalgic dive back in time with the likes of John Terry, Vincent Kompany, or Nemanja Vidic, for many fans of the sport, Rio Ferdinand is the best defender the Premier League has witnessed. It’s a debate that will rumble on for decades, but the former West Ham academy graduate’s all-round game makes him the king of defending for so many fans. Ferdinand was a classy technical defender who loved to carry the ball out from defense, and some of his performances in a Manchester United shirt are still being discussed today. Capable of shining in any defensive system, his partnership with Nemanja Vidic was unbreakable, with Ferdinand’s pace and power perfectly complimenting his Serbian partner’s game. A captain for both club and country, while also winning every major trophy possible, any aspiring young defender should watch footage of Rio Ferdinand’s career and learn from one of the best to ever do it.
Ashley Cole (Chelsea, Arsenal)
The only full-back on the list, Ashley Cole didn’t have a weakness to his game. Regarded by many fans as the best left-back the Premier League has ever seen alongside the likes of Denis Irwin, Cole was part of a number of iconic Premier League sides. For Arsenal, he was a reliable presence in the 2004 Invincibles team, before Chelsea snapped him up and Cole kicked even further on in his career. A player Cristiano Ronaldo openly admits he hated coming up against, Cole won it all with the Blues, including the Champions League.
