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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.
Beginning May 25, ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.
Why John Terry makes the list
If John Terry didn't say it all in his emotional response to winning the title after Chelsea's victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, his manager had already said the rest the week beforehand. Jose Mourinho described his captain's performance in the 0-0 draw at Arsenal -- as well as his general level this season -- as "amazing," and continued that Terry is "one step ahead of every other player." That has been key to why he has also been several steps ahead of every other defender in this campaign, and restored himself to the status of the Premier League's best centre-half.
Few will celebrate it because of Terry's general reputation, but it is quite a powerful personal narrative in how he has come back from being written off and almost used the emotion of that to power his brilliant recent return to form. That was evident in how he sank to the turf after beating Palace. He relishes this, and it means no striker has relished facing Terry.
He has recaptured that dogged ability to get any kind of touch if it means preventing a goal, but he only rarely has to go that far because of the way he just shuts out attackers. He has also transcended all the old cliches about his leadership, by showing genuine captaincy with a series of big goals, not least the winner against Leicester City. Chelsea are back to being the best in the country, and a large part of that is because Terry is back to being its best defender.
-- Miguel Delaney
The stats that tell the story
- He became the second outfield player to be on the field for every minute of a Premier League season in which his club won the title, joining Manchester United's Gary Pallister in 1992-93.
- Led all defenders with five goals this Premier League season.
- This was his fourth league title as Chelsea captain, equalling Roy Keane's record in the Premier League era.
What the experts say
"An outstanding season. Ever-present in the top flight and scored at Wembley in the Capital One Cup final victory over Spurs. Led by example and was a perfect mentor for Kurt Zouma." -- Mark Worrall, May 2015.
"Terry's perfectly timed late sliding tackle on Kane, executed without fear in his own penalty area, typified his performance. Were it not for off-the-field controversies, he would be a very good bet for the Player of the Year award." -- Iain Macintosh, March 2015.
"This has been somewhat forgotten: throughout Terry's career, those who dislike him have desperately attempted to find reasons to criticise him. Yet the more you study Terry's performances in a footballing sense, the more impressive he appears." -- Michael Cox, January 2015.
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