Jump directly to the content
Feature
terry-fic

John Terry to overtake Manchester United’s Roy Keane as Premier League’s most-successful captain when he lifts fifth trophy in Chelsea’s clash with Sunderland

Blues skipper is currently level with former Irish midfielder on four titles as skipper, but 2016-17 will see him rise to No.1

JOHN TERRY will become the Premier League's most successful captain when he lifts the trophy against Sunderland.

Before this season, he had been level with Roy Keane in skippering his side to four titles, but this makes it No.5.

 John Terry will lift the Premier League trophy for a fifth time, this season
25
John Terry will lift the Premier League trophy for a fifth time, this seasonCredit: Rex Features

It will be the perfect way for Terry to bid goodbye to his beloved Chelsea.


Keep up to date with ALL the Chelsea news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary


There have been 13 different captains holding the trophy aloft.

And it's a who's who of iconic players.

Here, we take a look back at all the Premier League-winning captains.

Bryan Robson: 1992-93

 Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson celebrate ending 26 years of hurt as Manchester United win the title
25
Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson celebrate ending 26 years of hurt as Manchester United win the title

The veteran midfielder was 36 when he won his first league title.

Robson was an outstanding servant to Manchester United — and one of the club’s all-time great midfielders — in his 13 seasons at the club.

He 12 months later after winning his second league medal.

Steve Bruce: 1993-94, 1995-96

 Steve Bruce's first title success as Manchester United captain was in 1994, when they won the Double
25
Steve Bruce's first title success as Manchester United captain was in 1994, when they won the Double
 Steve Bruce led a youthful Manchester United side to Premier League in 1996
25
Steve Bruce led a youthful Manchester United side to Premier League in 1996Credit: Action Images

Robson traded in his legendary No.7 for the No.12 shirt as became a squad player.

So Bruce was charged with retaining the title — and led Sir Alex Ferguson’s first great United side to a superb league and cup double.

Under England’s cap-less wonder, the Red Devils became the first English side to win the Double for a second time two seasons later — with the emergence of the Class of 92.

Tim Sherwood: 1994-95

 Kenny Dalglish and Tim Sherwood show off the Premier League title won in 1995
25
Kenny Dalglish and Tim Sherwood show off the Premier League title won in 1995

The original Leicester story.

Superfan Jack Walker invested millions to make the fairy-tale a reality for Blackburn.

And, skippered by Sherwood, he achieved his dream — winning the title on a dramatic final day of the season by one point over United.

Eric Cantona: 1996-97

 Eric Cantona's final game as a footballer was as captain of Premier League-winning Manchester United
25
Eric Cantona's final game as a footballer was as captain of Premier League-winning Manchester United

United made it back-to-back titles for a second time — led by the Frenchman on this occasion.

With the Class of 92 now firmly established a first team players, Cantona took them under their wing.

He retired from football just a week later, aged just 30 — allegedly due to guilt of responsibility he felt at Champions League disappointment.

Tony Adams: 1997-98, 2001-02

 

 Tony Adams and Arsene Wenger celebrate winning Premier League in 1998
25
Tony Adams and Arsene Wenger celebrate winning Premier League in 1998Credit: PA:Press Association Archive
 Tony Adams was skipper as Arsenal finished top of the pile once again in 2002
25
Tony Adams was skipper as Arsenal finished top of the pile once again in 2002Credit: PA:Press Association

It was the legendary centre-half’s third and fourth titles as Arsenal captain but two were before the Premier League era.

Adams wrapped up the league with the fourth goal as the Gunners sealed the trophy with a 4-0 victory over Everton in 1998.

Arsenal won their second Double — and four years later, replicated their success in the in the centre-back’s final season as he retired a one-club man.

Roy Keane: 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03

 Manchester United celebrate completing first leg of Treble in 1999
25
Manchester United celebrate completing first leg of Treble in 1999Credit: Getty Images
 Roy Keane walks up to pick up second Premier League trophies in as many years
25
Roy Keane walks up to pick up second Premier League trophies in as many yearsCredit: Getty Images
 In 2001, Manchester United made history with third title in succession
25
In 2001, Manchester United made history with third title in successionCredit: PA:Press Association
 Roy Keane won his final Premier League title as captain ahead of Arsenal, in 2003
25
Roy Keane won his final Premier League title as captain ahead of Arsenal, in 2003

Legendary Irishman was skipper as United became the fourth team to win the title three years in a row — including the unforgettable Treble season of 1999.

And, after conceding the league to Arsenal, he won it again in 2003.

He was booted out two years later after falling out with Fergie — and the pair are still not friends to this day.

Patrick Vieira: 2003:04

 Patrick Vieira led unbeaten Arsenal to Premier League title in 2003-04 campaign
25
Patrick Vieira led unbeaten Arsenal to Premier League title in 2003-04 campaignCredit: Reuters

The only man on this list — and most lists — to captain a side to league success without tasting defeat.

Vieira was the leader as Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ went down in history.

His departure a year later was seen by many as the main reason the Gunners went nine years without a trophy.

John Terry: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2016-17

 Chelsea and John Terry celebrate as they win first league title in 50 years
25
Chelsea and John Terry celebrate as they win first league title in 50 yearsCredit: Reuters
 Chelsea became only the second team to win back-to-back Premier League titles
25
Chelsea became only the second team to win back-to-back Premier League titles
 John Terry was celebrating glory for a third time with Chelsea in 2009-10 season
25
John Terry was celebrating glory for a third time with Chelsea in 2009-10 seasonCredit: Getty Images
 It was glory for a fourth season as Jose Mourinho's return yields another title
25
It was glory for a fourth season as Jose Mourinho's return yields another titleCredit: Reuters

Chelsea won their first title in 50 years in 2005 — and their inspirational captain was named PFA Players' Player of the Year.

A year later they retained it but had to wait four more years to taste success again — winning the Double under Carlo Ancelotti.

Terry looked on the wane in his later years but, born again in Jose Mourinho’s second spell at the club, he led the Blues to their fourth Premier League title.

Now, despite playing a peripheral role under Antonio Conte, he makes it a record five.

Gary Neville: 2006-07, 2008-09

 Skipper Gary Nevill and vice-captain, Ryan Giggs, lift the Premier League trophy in 2007
25
Skipper Gary Nevill and vice-captain, Ryan Giggs, lift the Premier League trophy in 2007
 Gary Neville celebrates as Manchester United equal Liverpool's record of 18 titles
25
Gary Neville celebrates as Manchester United equal Liverpool's record of 18 titlesCredit: PA:Press Association

Following Keane’s departure, Neville was given the honour of captaining United.

In March 2007, Neville suffered an ankle injury against Bolton which would keep him out for more or the less the whole of the following season.

The right-back returned in 2008-09 to see United over the line with Liverpool the nearest challengers, as the Red Devils won title number 18.

Ryan Giggs: 2007-08

25

With Neville injured, it was another member of United’s Class of 92 to take over the armband.

Fergie’s men fought a battle with Chelsea all the way to the final day of the season — eventually winning the title by two points.

Giggs — who had won his TENTH title — also captained United to Champions League final success over the Blues in Moscow.

Nemanja Vidic: 2010-11, 2012-13

 Nemanaja Vidic's first season as Manchester United captain was winning one
25
Nemanaja Vidic's first season as Manchester United captain was winning oneCredit: PA:Press Association
 Nemanaja Vidic skippered Manchester United to two titles ¿ this the second in 2013
25
Nemanaja Vidic skippered Manchester United to two titles ¿ this the second in 2013

With Giggs ageing and Rio Ferdinand plagued by back injuries, Fergie handed the armband to the Serbian rock.

Vidic was inspirational as United won their historic 19th title.

And two years later, in Fergie’s final season, the Red Devils made it 20.

Vincent Kompany: 2011-12, 2013-14

 Vincent Kompany with the Premier League title after their dramatic victory over QPR
25
Vincent Kompany with the Premier League title after their dramatic victory over QPR
 Manchester City won the title a second time and once again in dramatic fashion
25
Manchester City won the title a second time and once again in dramatic fashionCredit: Getty Images

The Belgian was seen by many as the best defender in the world when Manchester City won their first title in 44 years.

Sergio Aguero’s goal with the last kick of the season snatched the title from under the noses of rivals, United.

Two seasons later, and City beat Liverpool to the championship despite being nine points behind with just five games left, and Kompany lifted his second Premier League trophy.

Wes Morgan: 2015-16

 Wes Morgan and Claudio Ranieri celebrate completion of most incredible story
25
Wes Morgan and Claudio Ranieri celebrate completion of most incredible storyCredit: PA:Press Association

Will there ever be a better fairy-tale in sport?

A 17th place finish would have been considered a success at the start of the season.

But Leicester held on to finish top of the pile in arguably the greatest achievement in football history.

Topics