- Terry, Van Dijk and Ferdinand among best defenders in Premier League history
- The 90min Top 50 Premier League Players of All Time list includes all three players.
- All of the legendary centre-backs have a claim to be the best.
Would you like to find out how well Premier League defenders perform?
Imagine yourself playing Power League or Goals with some of your friends. Imagine you’re down at Goals or Power League with your friends. You’d like to be able to dance and dribble as well. You’d love to be able score anywhere on the astroturf pitch. You’re hoping this week isn’t the one where you find those black plastic pieces in your boots and socks.
You are all better off with a professional. Millions of times. John O’Shea, the Prime Minister, would do step-overs. You’d be sent for a Hot Dog by Washed Michael Dawson. You’ll be sat on your rear end whether or not you are on it.
Imagine how great Rio Ferdinand and John Terry would be in five-aside. They are amongst the best players in Premier League History and made it to professional level. So you do not need to be worried about them embarrassing you.
But who was the better? 90min is a formula that works very well to determine…
Defense
Terry was an machine/Jamie McDonald/GettyImages
Let’s start with the most important one.
In the history of man, few people have loved lost art more than Terry. Terry is one of the few people who would run blindly into a wall, without being asked. Terry is one of the few people who would dive into a wall head first.
In the years 2004-2009, the former Chelsea Captain made it into 5 successive FIFPro World XI’s. He was also named to the UEFA Team of the year four times, and won 3 UEFA Club Defender of the Years. It was his defensive skills that made him so dominant.
Passing
Ferdinand is a typical ball-playing defensive player / EtsuoHara/GettyImages
It was hard to decide which category. Van Dijk has a huge passing range, and Terry’s was underrated.
Ferdinand is the winner, even if it’s just by splitting hairs. He was the Premier League’s pioneer in bringing the football out of the back, and not hoofing the ball anywhere on the pitch. It’s amazing that he didn’t get a higher position, as is the norm for any English defender who has any technical skill.
Physicality
“Aura”, as kids call it / Getty Images/MB Media
Terry and Ferdinand were both good players, but Van Dijk was just a freak.
No Defender should be able to match the speed and strength of some of world’s fastest athletes.
Van Dijk, when he is in his zone (which isn’t often enough nowadays), is the best defender on the field. He helped to redefine the perception of Liverpool’s leaky defense. His presence and attitude gave them more than enough strength alone to dominate England and Europe.
Aerial Threat
JUSTIN TALLIS/Getty Images
Terry scored in the Premier League in 17 straight seasons after he was a regular for Chelsea.
17.
Terry scored 10 goals in 45 matches across 2011/12 and 2012/13.
He played as a center-back. This level of manic shadow-targeting is not something you can teach.
Leading
Terry’s Banners Remain at Stamford Bridge/ Matthew Ashton/GettyImages
Outsiders may think that Frank Lampard was Chelsea’s poster boy, and Jose Mourinho is the genius and comic relief. But those who are part of the club will tell you that Terence has been its heart and soul.
It is difficult to rub shoulders with these names while still emerging as leader of the group. Even when names on teamsheets and in dugouts were constantly changing, Terry was always accountable. Terry was always dependable to deliver, even in the worst of situations.
The following are some of the most recent reviews:
Terry’s latest triumph / Carl De Souza/Getty Images
We’ll give Ferdinand and Van Dijk all the credit they deserve before taking it back.
These two are among the greatest defenders in Premier League history. By default, they are two of the greatest centre-backs in history. Bravo, boys.
Terry was one of the best footballers ever in Premier League. He had it all: the skillsets, the trophies and achievements, his ability, his legacy. It was all there. This is why he ranks higher than every other defender on ‘s top 50 for 90min.
