Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has given two Chelsea men their flowers in a Champions League all-time list.
Chelsea have had some proper legends pass through the door at Stamford Bridge, some of whom made their name on Europe’s biggest stage.
A prominent pundit since leaving Plymouth Argyle last year, Rooney recently picked two Chelsea players for his Premier League five-a-side dream team, and has again looked to Stamford Bridge for a new five-man list.
Rooney was asked for his take on the best Champions League centre-backs of all time, and rightly included two Blues who dominated on the biggest stage.
Chelsea's English defender John Terry (R
Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney ranks John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho among the Champions League’s greatest
Going from five to one, Rooney ranked the best central defenders he has seen compete in Europe.
The exercise was carried out on The Wayne Rooney Show after the last round of Champions League action.
Working from bottom to top, he puts Ricardo Carvalho at number four, despite the contentious relationship the two had. It’s not the first time Rooney has praised Carvalho.
He explains: “Number four I went for Carvalho. I think he’s such a good player, compliments John Terry really well. They were very difficult to play against, the two of them, experienced leaders.
“Obviously clever in the way he got me sent off as well in the World Cup. Um, but no, I think he’s he could he could pass the ball. He could organize, he could head the ball, tackle. So, he was always a tough player to play against.”
His number one choice was John Terry, ‘without question’. Rooney had some battles with the Chelsea captain over the years, and that has clearly stuck with him.
He says: “He was strong, good in the air, tackles never pull out. Um, a threat on set-pieces. And he’s one of them defenders who, every time you go near him, he just hurts you. Like he doesn’t mean to, but he he leaves something on you all the time, and you come off the pitch hurting.
“We had we had some really good battles, and again, I don’t think people give him the credit he deserves.”
smith rowe chelsea
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney’s top five Champions League centre-backs
When you see the names that made the list, it makes the inclusion of Terry and Carvalho all the more impressive.
John Terry
Gerard Pique
Paolo Maldini
Ricardo Carvalho
Alessandro Nesta
You can be sure players like Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro and Carles Puyol will have something to say about this list, but Rooney has enough experience to make that call.
Chelsea are doing well in the Champions League this season, but imagine if Maresca had this old defensive duo at his disposal. It would surely propel the Blues to favourites in the competition.