In celebration of national leadership day, let’s have a look at the top 10 skippers in premier league history…
10th – Steve Bruce
Arguably the greatest player to never earn an England cap, Bruce was the first Englishman to captain a team to the double in the 20th century. The centre-back was Manchester United’s skipper across the very first Premier League season in 1993/94, deserving his place in the top 10.
9th- Jordan Henderson
Putting on the armband 268 times for Liverpool is no small feat, Henderson was also an excellent player in his own right, but above all a top leader. Bringing Liverpool their first Premier League title in 2019/20. He could find himself a little hard done by to only be 9th on this list, if not for the ability of some of the other captains to come.
8th- Alan Shearer
The Geordie known for his goalscoring also had a fantastic run as Newcastle captain, his lack of trophies limits his place in this list, but it would be foolish to let that deprive him of a place. Eight years as Newcastle captain and turning down big money moves earns Shearer legend status in the city of Newcastle.
7th- Nemanja Vidic
Talk about a man who would run through walls for his side, the Serbian centre-back might be one of if not the toughest man to grace the Premier League. He was the Red Devils captain from 2011-2014, and also lifted the premier league trophy in the 2012/13 season. In what was a golden era for Manchester United, Vidic was a key cog amongst the Ferguson wheel.
6th- Vincent Kompany
Man city’s Belgian centre-back just narrowly misses out on the top 5, and that he can blame injuries for. Undoubtedly the Cityzens best ever captain, he lifted the premier league 4 times during his 8 year tenure with the armband. He now rightfully has himself a statue on the east side of the Etihad and a place in the Premier League hall of fame.
5th- Tony Adams
Making it three centre backs in a row, Adams claims his place in the top five. By many he was labelled as ‘Mr Arsenal’ and with 14 years of leading the gunners, he has the record of longest period as captain of a Premier League side. The Englishman lifted 2 league trophies and maybe should have had more?
4th- Steven Gerrard
Earlier Bruce was given the title of best player to never represent the three lions, well Steven Gerrard has a fair shout for greatest ever to not win the Premier League, but his credentials speak for themselves, twelve years leading the red of Merseyside but he just slips short of the top three.
3rd- Patrick Viera
An invincible season as captain earns the Frenchman a third place finish on this list, but it was first and a Premier League title in 2003/04. Filling the boots of Adams was never going to be an easy task, but as the only unbeaten side across a season, most gunners fans would say he did a half decent job.
2nd- John Terry
Thirteen years as the blues skipper and a massive FIVE Premier League titles, a leader amongst men. Undoubtedly Chelsea’s greatest ever captain and defender, his five titles are the most won by any captain in the top flight. He could even be seen as unfortunate to miss out on top spot.
1st- Roy Keane
The moment we have all been waiting for, prior to flirting with Ian Wright and Micah Richards. Roy Keane was a man to be feared on a football pitch, he won four premier league titles as Manchester United’s skipper and led his team into battle with a hunger and desire that was matched by no other. A well deserved 1st place for Keane.
