Chelsea dominate the 12 highest-scoring defenders in Premier League historical past

For the reason that Premier League was fashioned in 1992, it has turn out to be probably the most watched and cherished leagues in world soccer.

There have been many thrilling, great attacking gamers to have graced the well-known league, however right here, we’ve taken a better have a look at defenders, and significantly the highest-scoring ones within the competitors’s historical past.

One participant who gained’t be making the checklist is Everton’s Ashley Younger, as whereas he has been become a full-back, many of the Englishman’s targets have come from midfield, so he’ll be sitting out of this one.

12

Antonio Valencia

24 targets

Antonio Valencia first got here into the Premier League throughout his time at Wigan Athletic. The Ecuador worldwide was lightning-quick and highly effective, making him a standout performer for the Latics.

Valencia had three seasons within the prime flight on the DW Stadium, scoring six targets, as he operated primarily as a right-winger, firing in low-driven pictures.

He then acquired a transfer to Manchester United, the place he scored 18 targets in 10 seasons. Valencia joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s aspect as a midfielder however spent most of his time at Outdated Trafford enjoying as a right-back, as his capability to assault and defend made him a helpful asset in that space of the pitch.

11

Kieran Richardson

24 targets

Former left-back Kieran Richardson performed for 5 totally different golf equipment within the Premier League: Man Utd, West Brom, Sunderland, Fulham and Aston Villa.

Richardson was one other participant who may function in a number of totally different positions, as he may play on the left wing and in central midfield, however he primarily performed as a left-back.

The defender’s greatest tally in a Premier League season got here within the 2008/09, 2010/11 and 2013/14 seasons, as he scored 4 targets throughout his spells at Sunderland and Fulham.

10

Julian Dicks

24 targets

Julian Dicks additionally completed his profession with 24 targets within the Premier League, although from fewer video games than Richardson and Valencia.

Dicks performed for Liverpool and West Ham United within the Premier League, along with his greatest goalscoring season coming within the 1995/96 marketing campaign as he scored 10 targets in 34 league video games. Nearly all of Dicks’ targets got here from the penalty spot, as he was recognized for being exact from 12 yards out.

9

William Gallas

25 targets

William Gallas was well-known in London, as he did one thing not many gamers have accomplished earlier than by turning out for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Frenchman was the most effective defenders throughout his time within the Premier League, particularly whereas at Chelsea, as he performed a key function of their early success.

Regardless of enjoying on the again, Gallas at all times had an eye fixed for objective, as proven by him scoring 5 within the 2005/06 marketing campaign. Gallas scored all sorts of targets, right-footed and left-footed, however primarily he was a giant risk from set items along with his head.

8

Steve Watson

26 targets

Steve Watson performed for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, and West Brom throughout his time within the Premier League.

The 50-year-old, who was snug enjoying anyplace throughout the again 4, performed over 350 instances within the Premier League, scoring 26 targets.

Watson had two standout campaigns within the Premier League, as he scored 5 targets within the 2002/03 and 2003/04 seasons whereas enjoying for Everton, together with a hat-trick in 2003 (albeit from midfield).

7

Marcos Alonso

26 targets

Marcos Alonso is likely one of the extra fashionable defenders on this checklist, having performed for Chelsea as lately because the 2021/22 season.

Alonso spent six seasons with the Blues, along with his greatest marketing campaign by way of targets coming in 2017/18 as he scored seven instances in 33 video games. The Spaniard can be a Premier League and Champions League winner from his time at Stamford Bridge.

Earlier than becoming a member of the Blues, Alonso performed for Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland within the Premier League, however these spells weren’t as profitable as his time at Chelsea. The left-back was greatest recognized for scoring long-range efforts or from set items whereas enjoying in England.

6

Gary Cahill

28 targets

Former England centre-back Gary Cahill performed for 4 Premier League golf equipment: Aston Villa, Bolton, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace.

Cahill turned a prime defender through the latter finish of his time at Bolton as he sealed a transfer to Chelsea, the place he gained the Premier League twice and the Champions League as soon as. The defender’s risk in entrance of objective primarily got here from set items, as his capability to get on the tip of crosses was invaluable to the Blues.

5

Ian Harte

28 targets

Former Leeds United, Sunderland, and Studying defender Ian Harte makes the highest 5 for the highest-scoring Premier League defenders, having performed in fewer video games than Gary Cahill.

The previous Republic of Eire worldwide performed over 237 video games within the Premier League, and all his 28 targets got here whereas he was enjoying for Leeds.

Harte was primarily a left-back throughout his profession, however he additionally had the flexibility to play throughout the backline. Harte scored a mixture of targets throughout his profession, although he definitely had a knack for scoring from free kicks.

4

Leighton Baines

32 targets

It could not come as a shock to see that Leighton Baines has made the highest 4 for top-scoring defenders, as the previous Wigan and Everton man scored penalties and free kicks for each groups.

Baines was such an enormous attacking risk regardless of being a left-back, as he had an excellent left foot that helped him rating some great targets.

Baines had three campaigns wherein he scored 5 targets within the Premier League – all with Everton – and scored in 11 consecutive seasons between 2008/09 and 2017/18.

3

Ian Marshall

33 targets

Ian Marshall performed within the Premier League for Oldham Athletic, Ipswich City, Leicester Metropolis and Bolton.

Marshall was a centre-back with a powerful eye for objective, scoring 33 targets in 157 video games in England’s prime division. Marshall’s targets have been of blended selection, as he was one other defender who took penalties, although the truth that solely two defenders have scored greater than him speaks for itself.

2

David Unsworth

38 targets

At present second within the rankings is David Unsworth, who used to play for Everton, West Ham, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Wigan. He’ll principally be remembered for his time with the Toffees.

Unsworth performed 334 video games for Everton out of a complete 364 within the Premier League all through his profession. The left-back was a constant scorer, netting 11 targets between the 1999/00 and 2000/01 seasons alone.

Like Baines, Unsworth was additionally a defender who scored plenty of penalties throughout his profession, along with his ultimate top-flight strike coming from the spot to avoid wasting Wigan from the drop in 2007.

1

John Terry

41 targets

The best-scoring defender in Premier League historical past is former Chelsea centre-back John Terry.

Terry solely performed for the Blues within the Premier League, doing so 492 instances. He’s a five-time Premier League champion and a five-time FA Cup winner, whereas he has additionally gained the Europa League and Champions League.

Terry was a key a part of the Chelsea defence throughout their profitable interval within the mid-to-late 2000s, and he wasn’t simply good at stopping targets from going into his internet; he was additionally an enormous risk on the different finish of the pitch.

The previous England captain scored 41 targets within the Premier League, along with his greatest marketing campaign for targets coming within the 2010/11 and 2011/12 campaigns, as he netted six targets in every.