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Defence
Gary Neville (Manchester United, England)
The right back selection came down to two bitter rivalries: Gary Neville and Lee Dixon. Both stood out for the consistency down the years for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. But when it came down to the selection I choose Neville because he won more with United during his career. And more importantly when both were fighting for the England right back spot, it was Neville who won the battle for number one choice.
Neville’s level of commitment, performance, longevity and passion for his club was head and shoulders above his fellow professionals. He is also associated with “Fergie’s Fledglings” who won the FA Youth Cup. This team was captained by Neville. Some of the members from that youth team went on to become the corner stone in United’s treble winning team.
Appearances: 400, Goals: 5
John Terry (Chelsea, England)
Despite having controversies on and off the field, John Terry has simply been the best defender for the last decade in the Premier League. He became the only academy based player in the starting XI for Chelsea after the influx of world class talent coming from the backpockets of Roman Abramovich. After the arrival of Jose Mourinho in 2004, Terry was appointed club captain and became their most influential leader and best defender. His defensive and leadership qualities led Chelsea to their first league title for fifty years.
His organisation of Chelsea’s defence has been one of the major reasons why Chelsea are consistently fighting for top honours. Terry was named UEFA Club Defender of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009, PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005, and was included in the FIFPro World XI for five consecutive seasons, from 2005 to 2009.
Appearances: 421, Goals: 34
Tony Adams (Arsenal, England)
While John Terry was the best defender for the second decade of the Premier League, Tony Adams was certainly the best one in the league’s first decade. Nicknamed “Mr Arsenal”, he embodied everything that is great about a one club man. Adams was part of the “famous four” (alongside Dixon. Winterburn and Bould) which was renowned for its well-disciplined use of the offside trap.
Even though he was renowned as a hard tackling centre back with great organisational skills, the biggest development in his game came after the arrival of Arsene Wenger. Nothing represents his development more than his breath taking goal against Everton in 1998. From Steve Bould’s pass to Adams’ finish, it was simply sensational play from the two centre backs.
That goal was even more important as it sealed the title for Arsenal for the first time in seven years. In his entire Arsenal career, Adams won five League Titles, three FA Cups, two Football League Cups and one European Cup Winners Cup. He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year three times.
Appearances: 504, Goals: 32
Ashley Cole (Arsenal & Chelsea, England)
Ashley Cole has been one of the most consistent players in Premier League and has improved steadily over the years into one of the most accomplished left back in world football. Cole is considered by many pundits and fellow professional players as one of the best defenders of his generation and some have suggested that he is the best left back in the world in the last decade. The England National team has had many problems down the years but the left back slot has not been one of them as Cole always stood out as an outstanding performer.
He signed his professional contract with Arsenal in 2000 and soon established himself as a first team regular in the space of a year. He was part of the “invincibles” who went undefeated in the league during the 2003-04 season. In his last season with Arsenal he was part of the team which played the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona which Arsenal subsequently lost. His move to Chelsea was rumoured in 2005 and ended with Chelsea getting fined £300,000 for reportedly ‘tapping up’ Cole.
He eventually got his move to Chelsea and has been just as successful. Arsene Wenger said Cole “is a defender, who simply loves to attack. (He) defends, because he has to defend and because it is part of his job. Everybody loves to play with (him) because as soon as you have won the ball back, he was up there to attack.” Simply put, Cole has been the one of the best left backs in Premier League history.
Appearances: 385, Goals: 15
