Monday 27 April 2015 09:37, UK
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.”
