The best Chelsea centre backs of the modern era

[James 5,139]

The Premier League is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world. Its level of unpredictability, shocks and surprises is what keeps even the most avid football fans and even expert football analyst’s constantly guessing. After clinching the title last season who could have expected Chelsea to be in such dire straits already this year?

Thankfully this season isn’t quite done and dusted just yet so there is still plenty of time and of course room for improvement. Historically speaking Chelsea has always produced a solid defensive line with strong centre backs so let us cast our eye over the best ever to turn out for the blues in recent memory.

JOHN TERRY

Chelsea captain John Terry has been loyal to the blues during his entire career. He is one of the very few footballers in the Premier League who can be considered a true one-club player and at the ripe old age of 35 he is still an imperative cog in the centre of Chelsea’s defence. He arrived at Chelsea when he was aged just 14 and managed to rise through the ranks to the senior side which he debuted for in 1998. During his time at Stamford Bridge he has helped his side pickup endless silverware including 4 Premier League titles and he has also gone on to become one of the most prolific goal scoring defenders of all time.

MARCEL DESAILLY

French star Marcel Desailly arrived in the Premier League back in 1998 and made an instant impact on the Chelsea squad. His influential presence was not only felt on the pitch at the heart of Chelsea’s defence but also off the pitch and behind the scenes. Desailly became a great leader helping his teammates learn more about lifestyle outside of the game as well as bringing a variety of new training techniques for his peers to adopt.

RICARDO CARVALHO

A quick glance at the current Premier League table doesn’t make happy reading for Chelsea fans but back in 2004 things were a lot different. Carvalho was arguably one of the best centre backs to feature at the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal and later that same year he arrived at Stamford Bridge to rejoin his former boss José Mourinho, who had just been handed the managerial position at Chelsea. In the first season at his new club he partnered with John Terry and managed to help his side concede just 15 goals, which ultimately led them to the Premier League title that same year. And they picked up the title on two more occasions before he left in 2010.

Click here to view the article

[zolayes 14,489]

Le Boeuf and Gallas were excellent as well

[Spike 12,049]

Alex was very good for a period of time. Who can forget those FKs of his?

[zinctek 402]

has to be Cole, Terry, CARVALHO, Gallas Maybe alex in there too

LOVED WATCHING CHELSEA BACK THEN NOT VERY NICE TO WATCH THESE DAYS