5 of the best English centre-backs of the Premier League era

#1 Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)

Rio was possibly one of Sir Alex's greatest ever signings

Clubs Played For: West Ham, Leeds, Manchester United, QPR

A magnificent specimen of a player, Ferdinand is probably the one English defender who would not have looked out of place in an Italian or Spanish shirt.

A defender who had it all; the best description one could give of the Peckham-born Rio was that he was a cross between Bobby Moore and Franz Beckenbauer; two of Europe's greatest ever centre-backs.

This informed Sir Alex Ferguson's desperation to get him, a desperation that made the Red Devils fork out £34m to get him from Leeds United in 2002.

Very comfortable with the ball at his feet, he had a range of passing similar to that of a good central midfielder. It was not uncommon to see him spraying passes with abandon during his playing days for the clubs he played for.

He was also fast, strong aerially, very physical and an immaculate tackler. His partnership with Nemanja Vidic is the greatest in the history of the Premier League; he won 6 league titles while at Old Trafford.