1. Roy Keane
Roy Keane won 17 trophies at Manchester United, including the treble in 1999.
Premier League appearances: 366
Goals: 39
Clubs: Nottingham Forest, Manchester United
Premier League titles: Seven
Ian Wright: “I loved Roy Keane. He was captain for so many years when Manchester United were absolutely dominating. He is exactly what you need as a captain. He wasn’t someone everybody liked, but you don’t need to like the captain. He led - and what it means on the pitch is what it is all about.”
2. John Terry
John Terry is Chelsea’s most successful captain, winning 17 trophies including five Premier League titles
Premier League appearances: 492
Goals: 41
Clubs: Chelsea
Premier League titles: Five
Shearer: “He was everything you wanted in a captain. He had the respect of managers, fans and players. He wasn’t liked by other fans, but it didn’t affect him - it probably spurred him on if anything, and he delivered.”
3. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is the only footballer to score in an FA Cup final, a League Cup final, a Uefa Cup final and a Champions League final, winning on each occasion
Premier League appearances: 504
Goals: 120
Clubs: Liverpool
Premier League titles: None
Alan Shearer: “Look at his appearances, more than 500 in the Premier League, and what he gave to that football club and what that football club meant to him. He did it every year, week in, week out.”
4. Tony Adams
Tony Adams spent his entire career at Arsenal, winning 13 major trophies between 1983 and 2002.
Premier League appearances: 255
Goals: 12
Clubs: Arsenal
Premier League titles: Two
Shearer: “He was the best centre-half I played against in the English game. A great leader and organiser. That back four that he played in was relentless and incredibly tough to play against.”
5. Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira captained Arsenal during their ‘Invincibles’ season of 2003-04 when they went the entire Premier League season unbeaten.
Premier League appearances: 307
Goals: 31
Clubs: Arsenal, Manchester City
Premier League titles: Three
Shearer: “Vieira was horrible to play against, in a nice way. He could play if he wanted to play, but if you wanted to have a fight or be physical with him, he was as hard as they come.”
6. Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany left Manchester City in May 2019 after 11 seasons at Etihad Stadium
Premier League appearances: 265
Goals: 18
Clubs: Manchester City
Premier League titles: Four
Gary Lineker: “A captain has to be there at the big moments and there is no captain who was there for the big moments more than Vincent Kompany. Remember the goals he scored against Manchester United in 2012 and Leicester last season? Big-time - big moments and a big leader.”
Source: BBC Sport