With the 2014/2015 Barclays Premier League campaign now complete, the defender considered as the best in the country has been revealed and it’s even more good news for champions Chelsea.
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The Telegraph have compiled a list of the top 20 defenders during the season based on their performances throughout the campaign.
Here is the top ten:
10) Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
The City captain was not at his best during the campaign as he and the club fell short the high standards set in the 2013/14 season, where they won a domestic cup double.
To make matters worse, Kompany was forced to watch the closing stages of the season from the sidelines as City managed to secure a second place finish. The Belgian will be desperate to win his spot back next year and recapture the form that has made him one of the best defender in Europe.
9) Aaron Cresswell – West Ham United
The summer signing from Ipswich Town has settled into life in the Barclays Premier League with relative ease. Cresswell produced consistent performances throughout the season and was able to get on the scoresheet on two occasions.
8) Ashley Williams – Swansea City
The Swans enjoyed a fantastic season under Garry Monk and much of their success is down to captain Ashley Williams, who once again lead by example throughout the year.
The Welshman seems to improve as he gets older and uses his pace and strength to great effect to nullify the opposition strikers.
7) Laurent Koscielny – Arsenal
Arsenal were ranked third when it came to the least amount of goals conceded in the season and much of it is down to Koscielny. When the Frenchman plays, the Gunners look sound defensively and are more likely to keep a clean sheet.
His absence at the start of the season was sorely missed, particularly in games against Swansea City and Manchester United where they were all over the place defensively.
6) Jose Fonte – Southampton
When centre-back Dejan Lovren departed St Mary’s for Liverpool in the summer, many believed the club would struggle in that department. But with Fonte at the heart of the defence they have done the complete opposite as only champions Chelsea conceded less goals that the Saints in the season.
His excellent performances also earned him a call up to the Portugal national team, where he made his debut against Argentina last November.
5) Gary Cahill – Chelsea
The England international has had a mixed season for the Blues but has impressed enough to make the top five.
Cahill will need to be more consistent next season as he has Kurt Zouma breathing down his neck for a first team spot.
4) Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea
Chelsea’s Mr Reliable as he rarely lets the side down and can always be called upon to produce consistent performances each week.
Despite joining the club as a right-back from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille in 2013, he has become arguably the best left-back in the country and has kept Filipe Luis on the sidelines this season.
3) Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton
Another member of the solid Saints defence and Clyne has improved considerably this season. He is now the undisputed first-choice right-back for England and will certainly have plenty admirers in the transfer window.
2) Branislav Ivanovic – Chelsea
The Serbian defender is as effective in his own box as he is in the attacking third. He scored a crucial goal in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Liverpool and has also weighed in with five goals and five assists in the league as the Blues were crowned champions.
1) John Terry – Chelsea
No surprise to see the Blues captain named as the best defender in the Premier League. Terry played in every single minute of the campaign despite turning 34 during the season.
The former England defender was simply a rock at the heart of the Blues defence and deserves his place at the number one spot.