How the skippers from the English top tier rate.
The list of Premier League captains is an odd list and here at CaughOffside we have decided to rank the 20 in order of how good they are as players.
20. Robert Koren – Hull City
Someone had to be last and unfortunately for looking out of depth at the top it’s Koren.
19. Lee Cattermole – Sunderland
May seem a little harsh on the midfielder as there is a good player in there somewhere – it’s just staying on the pitch long enough to show it that is the issue.
18. Ryan Shawcross – Stoke City
For some bizarre reason for a short time the Potteries skipper was linked with an England cap, which luckily never materialised.
17. Michael Dawson – Tottenham Hotspur
Short of pace and clearly out of the centre-back’s depth and is very lucky to still be playing for a top flight team at all.
16. Ashley Williams – Swansea City
Perhaps one of the most overrated players in the entire division, with a defensive tactic of getting beaten and then putting in a last ditch tackle.
15. Ron Vlaar – Aston Villa
It’s starting to edge towards the more respectable end of talent, although admittedly very slowly, as this injury prone Dutchman is hardly a defender to rely on in a crisis.
14. Chris Brunt – West Bromwich Albion
Can take a decent free-kick and corner but apart from that it’s plain old average for the Scot.
13. Mile Jedinak – Crystal Palace
Has had a good season for the Eagles in what has been a difficult campaign, although whether that is simply being the best of a bad bunch is unknown.
12. Brede Hangeland – Fulham
Was once a highly sought after centre-back – but then again so was Chris Samba – and the Norway international looks a shadow of the defensive behemoth of old.
11. Kevin Nolan – West Ham United
Another who could have been argued to have talent (well Nolan could be relied upon to pop up with a goal in any case), but those days are largely gone for the midfielder.
10. Sebastien Bassong – Norwich City
There may be some raised eyebrows that Bassong has made the top 10, but when looking at the rest of the list it becomes apparent.
9. Steven Caulker – Cardiff City
The Bluebirds are hardly famed for a brilliant defence, but this 22-year-old is someone who shows genuine promise – although that happens a lot with Englishmen.
8. Thomas Vermaelen – Arsenal
Having barely played all year many will probably be calling for the Belgian to be lower down the list, but Vermaelen could cut it at a mid-table side.
7. Fabricio Coloccini – Newcastle United
Has been one of the Magpies better players in the past few years, although having cost £10m from Deportivo La Coruna back in the day the north east side should hope so.
6. Adam Lallana – Southampton
Finally, some genuine top-class talent on the list as this attacking midfielder is enjoying a great campaign and is now an England international.
5. Phil Jageilka – Everton
The defender and former side Sheffield United’s fortunes couldn’t be more different; Jagielka has enjoyed a brilliant career at Goodison Park and is a regular for the Three Lions, the Blades are about to be relegated to League Two.
4. Nemanja Vidic – Manchester United
Once a defensive powerhouse the Serbian is still a good player, but is far from the terrifying force that dominated the English top tier a few years ago.
3. John Terry – Chelsea
Up until the return of Jose Mourinho the 33-year-old may not have made it this high, but the Portuguese coach has inspired Terry to find the form of old.
2. Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
One of the most consistent performers the league has ever seen and now in the twilight years of the midfielder’s career, is still as good as ever.
1. Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
The one genuinely world-class star on the list – although that could have been argued for Gerrard, Terry and Vidic in the past – the Belgium international is simply brilliant.
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