John
Terry is the best centre-back to have played in the Premier League,
according to Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher.
The Chelsea captain produced a man-of-the-match performance as the Blues
moved to within six points of a fourth Premier League crown after holding
Arsenal to a goalless draw.
And Carragher, who made more than 500 Premier League appearances
predominantly in the centre-back position, believes Terry stands alone in
the pantheon of all-time great defenders.
Asked whether Terry should be a nominee for the PFA Player of the Year
award, Carragher said: “Yes, Terry should be in the top six players.
“There’s no doubt that, just behind (Eden) Hazard in this Chelsea team,
Terry has been the most influential.
“We’ve seen (Cesc) Fabregas, (Nemanja) Matic and Diego Costa feature in the
early part of the season, but if you look at Terry’s display today he was
outstanding.
“We talk about Chelsea being a defensive team, but sometimes you’ve got to
say they defend brilliantly, and Terry is the best.
“There have been a lot of great centre-backs in Premier League history, but
I think he has been the best that we’ve seen.”
Carragher went on to suggest Terry’s displays during his time at Chelsea
will have a lasting effect on the way centre-backs of the future are viewed.
“For the next 20 or 30 years, that position at the near post, when we see
other defenders doing it we’ll call it the ‘John Terry’ position,” he added.
“You can’t always find yourself in the right position to put your head on
things and clear things, you’ve got to have an understanding of the game.
“We’re not just talking about a big aggressive centre-back, Terry is always
in the right position.
“His understanding of where to be, his reading of the game and reading
crosses cannot be matched. I don’t think we’ve ever seen anyone better.”
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