Top 50 defenders in English football

[Shaggy]

Ferdinand above Hansen??


It's been a good season for defenders. Apart from a recent wobble, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been getting as least as much praise as the forwards in Manchester United's assault on titles across the world.

And Liverpool's Jamie Carragher, Chelsea skipper John Terry and rejuvenated Tottenham centre half Ledley King have shown the kind of form that will make them for ever greats of the English game.

But who are they rubbing shoulders with? Sportsmail presents its list of the top 50 defenders to have played in the history of English football.

After counting down all this week, we can now reveal the Top 10. Make sure you join the debate on our message boards.

SPORTSMAIL'S top defenders to have played in English football - Nos 10-1...

10. Mark Lawrenson (Preston, Brighton, Liverpool)

9. Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

8. Stuart Pearce (Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Ham, Manchester City)

7. Des Walker (Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday)

6. Paul McGrath (Manchester United, Aston Villa, Derby, Sheffield United)

5. Jaap Stam (Manchester United)

4. Alan Hansen (Liverpool)

3. Rio Ferdinand (West Ham, Leeds, Manchester United)

2. Tony Adams (Arsenal)

1. Bobby Moore (West Ham, Fulham)

[Shaggy]

20. Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)

19. Alvin Martin (West Ham and Leyton Orient)

18. Norman Hunter (Leeds, Bristol City and Barnsley)

17. Ledley King (Tottenham)

16. Jack Charlton (Leeds)

15. Terry Butcher (Ipswich, Coventry, Sunderland)

14. John Terry (Chelsea)

13. Marcel Desailly (Chelsea)

12. Sol Campbell (Tottenham, Arsenal, Portsmouth)

11. Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)

[Shaggy]

50 Ray Wilson (Huddersfield, Everton)
49 Gordon McQueen (Leeds, Man Utd)
48 Paul Madeley (Leeds)
47 Gary Pallister (Middlesbrough, Man Utd)
46 David O'Leary (Arsenal)
45 Paul Reaney (Leeds)
44 Ashley Cole (Arsenal, Chelsea)
43 Patrice Evra (Man Utd)
42 Billy Wright (Wolves)
41 Phil Neal (Liverpool, Bolton)
40 Barry Kitchener (Millwall)
39 Paul Jones (Bolton)
38 Denis Irwin (Oldham, Man United)
37 Dave Mackay (Hearts, Tottenham, Derby)
36 Steve Bruce (Gillingham, Norwich, Man United)
35 Emlyn Hughes (Liverpool)
34 Colin Todd (Sunderland, Derby, Birmingham)
33 Viv Anderson (Nottingham Forest, Arsenal)
32 Kenny Burns (Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest)
31 Ron Yeats (Dundee United, Liverpool, Tranmere)
30 Peter Swan (Sheff Wed)
29 Martin Buchan (Manchester United)
28 Lucas Radebe (Leeds United)
27 Martin Keown (Aston Villa, Everton, Arsenal)
26 Kevin Ratcliffe (Everton)
25 Tommy Smith (Liverpool)
24 Phil Thompson (Liverpool)
23 Brian Labone (Everton)
22 Kenny Sansom (Crystal Palace, Arsenal)
21 Gary Neville (Man United)

[Shaggy]

Emlyn Hughes below Neville and Keown

[The_weatherman]

Is it even possible to compare defenders from different era's? Like Yeats and Neville for example. Rubbish list IMO.

[Shaggy]

It's totally ridiculous!!!

[Vermilion]

It's totally ridiculous!!!

It is.

Shaggy, are you on a hunt for **** articles/lists today, or is it just coincidence.

[Shaggy]

I'm posting them out of sheer incredulity

[Vermilion]

I'm posting them out of sheer incredulity

[TheElephantMan]

Laughable, where's Hyypia?

[Finnish_Red]

Laughable, where's Hyypia?

Away with the national team

[Abro100]

No Hyypia, as if!!!

[Guest]

Jaap Stam

[Liverpool]

Stupid list, far too many current players in there who havent even come close to finishing their career.

[Harv]

First of all its laughable that Vidic is in the top 10. He's been here all of 10 minutes FFS.

Secondly no Hyypia is a crime. He has been in the top 3 defenders in the league for the past 10 years.

Stam at number 5 is a joke

Ridiculous list