1st: If Desailly was a rock then Jaap Stam was a wall. He may have spent just three seasons at Manchester United but during that time Stam won three league titles, an FA Cup and the Champions League and was granted a terrace chant of 'Yip Jaap Stam is a big Dutch man'. Manager Alex Ferguson later admitted that selling Stam was one of his biggest mistakes. The likes of Terry and Ferdinand may have lasted longer, but Stam made a remarkable instant impact. Allsport
John Terry has retired from football aged 37. Move through the slide show to see where he ranks in our top 10 Premier League centre-backs. AP Photo
10th: Jamie Carragher was a one-club man who became a Liverpool legend. A dogged defender who loved a physical contest, he won the Champions League but failed to claim a league title. Getty Images
9th: Ledley King was blighted by injuries throughout his Tottenham career but it was testament to his quality that he could turn it on at the weekend having trained so little. Many opponents and former teammates rate him as the best defender they played with or against. Getty Images
8th: Nemanja Vidic was the grittier half of the formidable Manchester United backline pairing with Rio Ferdinand. Like John Terry, he would put his head in where it hurt though he could look clumsy as he flung himself about. Getty Images
7th: The 'donkey' references from earlier in Tony Adams' career faded away as he captained a sensational Arsenal side to glory in the late 1990s. A true leader on the pitch. Getty Images
6th: What John Terry lacked in pace he more than made up for with his bravery. He was also comfortable with the ball at his feet and was a threat in the box from set-pieces. Getty Images
5th: Vincent Kompany has been a mainstay at Manchester City since the Abu Dhabi takeover a decade ago and that he has stayed so long when so many big-money transfers have come in shows his quality. Injuries have held him back in the last few seasons but he's still been a focal part of City's success. Getty Images
4th: Marcel Desailly is nicknamed 'The Rock', and anyone who has seen him play will understand why. Formed a solid partnership with Terry at Chelsea, won the Champions League with AC Milan and the World Cup with France, Desailly had no weakness. Getty Images
3rd: Sol Campbell had everything a central defender could need - strength, mobility, and calmness on the ball. He won two league titles and two FA Cups with Arsenal and an FA Cup with Portsmouth but split fan opinions after his controversial move across North London from Tottenham to Arsenal. Getty Images
2nd: Has there been a more complete defender in English football than Rio Ferdinand? A rare example of a centre-back adept at controlling and carrying the ball as well as nullifying the opposition. Quick and strong, he enjoyed a trophy-laden Manchester United career. Getty Images
1st: If Desailly was a rock then Jaap Stam was a wall. He may have spent just three seasons at Manchester United but during that time Stam won three league titles, an FA Cup and the Champions League and was granted a terrace chant of 'Yip Jaap Stam is a big Dutch man'. Manager Alex Ferguson later admitted that selling Stam was one of his biggest mistakes. The likes of Terry and Ferdinand may have lasted longer, but Stam made a remarkable instant impact. Allsport
John Terry has retired from football aged 37. Move through the slide show to see where he ranks in our top 10 Premier League centre-backs. AP Photo
10th: Jamie Carragher was a one-club man who became a Liverpool legend. A dogged defender who loved a physical contest, he won the Champions League but failed to claim a league title. Getty Images
9th: Ledley King was blighted by injuries throughout his Tottenham career but it was testament to his quality that he could turn it on at the weekend having trained so little. Many opponents and former teammates rate him as the best defender they played with or against. Getty Images
8th: Nemanja Vidic was the grittier half of the formidable Manchester United backline pairing with Rio Ferdinand. Like John Terry, he would put his head in where it hurt though he could look clumsy as he flung himself about. Getty Images
7th: The 'donkey' references from earlier in Tony Adams' career faded away as he captained a sensational Arsenal side to glory in the late 1990s. A true leader on the pitch. Getty Images
6th: What John Terry lacked in pace he more than made up for with his bravery. He was also comfortable with the ball at his feet and was a threat in the box from set-pieces. Getty Images
5th: Vincent Kompany has been a mainstay at Manchester City since the Abu Dhabi takeover a decade ago and that he has stayed so long when so many big-money transfers have come in shows his quality. Injuries have held him back in the last few seasons but he's still been a focal part of City's success. Getty Images
4th: Marcel Desailly is nicknamed 'The Rock', and anyone who has seen him play will understand why. Formed a solid partnership with Terry at Chelsea, won the Champions League with AC Milan and the World Cup with France, Desailly had no weakness. Getty Images
3rd: Sol Campbell had everything a central defender could need - strength, mobility, and calmness on the ball. He won two league titles and two FA Cups with Arsenal and an FA Cup with Portsmouth but split fan opinions after his controversial move across North London from Tottenham to Arsenal. Getty Images
2nd: Has there been a more complete defender in English football than Rio Ferdinand? A rare example of a centre-back adept at controlling and carrying the ball as well as nullifying the opposition. Quick and strong, he enjoyed a trophy-laden Manchester United career. Getty Images
1st: If Desailly was a rock then Jaap Stam was a wall. He may have spent just three seasons at Manchester United but during that time Stam won three league titles, an FA Cup and the Champions League and was granted a terrace chant of 'Yip Jaap Stam is a big Dutch man'. Manager Alex Ferguson later admitted that selling Stam was one of his biggest mistakes. The likes of Terry and Ferdinand may have lasted longer, but Stam made a remarkable instant impact. Allsport
