#1 John Terry
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Perhaps one of the most controversy-ridden players both on and off the field, no one can deny that the Chelsea and ex-England captain is a natural born leader when it comes to careful strategic planning to lead his respective team to victory.
Terry was initially a part of the youth structure of West Ham and made his Chelsea debut in a League Cup match in 1998 as a late substitute. He recorded his first start for the side later that season in an FA Cup third round match Oldham Athletic.
He spent one season away from Chelsea in 2000 when he was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest in an effort to build first team experience. Once he returned to Stamford Bridge, there was absolutely no turning back.
In the 200-2001 season, following his return from Nottingham, he made 23 starts for Chelsea and was voted the player of the year. He captained Chelsea for the first time in 2001 and later that season, he was forced to sit out following a viral infection.
In 2006, in a match against Reading, Terry had the unusual experience of goalkeeping for his team after both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were injured and Chelsea had no remaining substitutes. He wore the Number 40 shirt during his short stint in the final minutes of the match. Even though he managed to keep a clean sheet, it might be prudent to mention that he did not need to make a single save during the entirety of this duration.
A back surgery, a concussion, an ankle injury and three broken foot bones in 2007 did not prevent him from regularly featuring the line-up that season. In 2008, he was awarded the Defender of the Year by the UEFA.
He has won seven trophies as Chelsea captain in his 17 years playing for the club.
