Jump directly to the content
top five ever

Tottenham legend Jermain Defoe names Arsenal hero as one of the best players he has faced in the Premier League

The Cherries striker reveals the greatest players that he has come up against throughout his 17-year run in the top-flight

Defoe names his top five players

Sponsored by

JERMAIN DEFOE finally reveals the top five players that he has played with or against during his career in the top-flight of English football.

One he only ever played against, two were colleagues at West Ham and two were team-mates from his time at Tottenham.

 Defoe made his first-team debut for West Ham in 2000
6
Defoe made his first-team debut for West Ham in 2000Credit: Reuters
 Henry is the only player selected in the top-five to not have played on the same team as Defoe
6
Henry is the only player selected in the top-five to not have played on the same team as DefoeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

It will come as no surprise that when speaking to the , Defoe was quick to include Thierry Henry among the rankings.

The Gunners' all-time leading goalscorer was only ever on the opposition side, but former Spurs shooter Defoe was quick to praise their rival's striker.

"For me, one of the best players to play in the Premier League.

"I played at Highbury. I was really young and I remember after the game I said to Thierry, 'can I have your shirt?'.

"And I thought he'd forget. But he actually came to the changing rooms, he had already signed it. Then he gave it to me - that was a special moment."

Former Hammers team-mate Paolo Di Canio was also included in Defoe's top five ever players.

 Defoe began playing with Di Canio during his early days at West Ham
6
Defoe began playing with Di Canio during his early days at West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The Italian is now a football manager, but during his playing career he made over 500 league appearances and tallied over 100 goals.

"He was unbelievable, Little bit mad, but if you took that away from him then he probably would not have been the same player," he said.

The final striker that Defoe hailed, which initially came as a shock, was Dimitar Berbatov.

"For me he was special. I have never really seen anyone like him," Defoe added.

 Berbatov arguably comes as the most surprising out of the top-five selected players
6
Berbatov arguably comes as the most surprising out of the top-five selected playersCredit: PA:Press Association

In terms of defenders, Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King made the exclusive top-five list.

"For me he was number one," Defoe said in regard to former Tottenham pal Ledley King.

Defoe claimed that former United skipper Ferdinand "had everything."

 Rio Ferdinand joined Manchester United in 2002 for a fee of around £30m
6
Rio Ferdinand joined Manchester United in 2002 for a fee of around £30mCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Defoe applauds injury prone team-mate Ledley King
6
Defoe applauds injury prone team-mate Ledley KingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd


Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport’s live transfer blog


Topics