Chelsea vs. Manchester United: All-Time Combined XI | Premier League 2019-20

Centre Backs: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand

The English duo set the standards for centre backs in the Premier League

Both United and Chelsea have had some truly fantastic centre-backs grace their sides during the Premier League era; names like Nemanja Vidic, Jaap Stam, Marcel Desailly and Ricardo Carvalho immediately come to mind, but the two that stand out over and above their peers are Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

The two defenders – who formed a formidable partnership for the England national team during the 2000’s – were the very definition of tenacity, consistency and leadership during their periods with their respective clubs, and it’s safe to say that neither man has ever been truly replaced since their departures.

Ferdinand – recognised as one of the best defenders of all time when it came to his ability on the ball – signed for United in the summer of 2002 for a then-British record fee of £30m, and it’s safe to say that he repaid the money plenty of times over with his performances. Making nearly 500 appearances for the Red Devils over 12 seasons, he helped them to win 6 Premier League titles as well as the 2007-08 Champions League.

Terry – who still has a banner hanging at Stamford Bridge that reads ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ – broke through at Chelsea in the 2000-01 season after graduating from the club’s academy, and was installed as team captain at the start of the 2004-05 season.

That campaign ended with the Blues lifting their first Premier League title, and the England defender would go on to be named Player of the Year for his efforts. As Chelsea captain, Terry won a further 4 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, and the Champions League in 2011-12. When he departed Stamford Bridge in 2017, he’d made an incredible 717 appearances for the club.