Top 5 highest scoring Premier League defenders of all time
The primary job of defensive players is to stop goals going in rather than score them. Premier League players today are goal threats from any position they play in because of the fluidity of the modern game.
Central defenders are generally aerial threats at set pieces while wing back or fullbacks are dribblers with incredible work rate who like to get forward in attack. Since the inaugural Premier League season in 1992, a number of defenders have hit the back of the net, but only a few manage or managed to do so consistently.
Here we take a look at five defenders who were also big goal threats for their side and top the list for the highest scoring Premier League defenders.
#5 Gary Cahill - 27 goals*
Chelsea captain and England international Gary Cahill is two-time Premier League winner, a Champions League winner and a Europa League winner. The club captain is an experienced robust defender who has scored 27 times during his Premier League career and is fifth on the list.
Having made 10 appearances for the Blues this season, Cahill has been part of four shutouts. However, the England vice-captain needs to step up his game and lead the club through a period of dominance to stake their claim in the title race.
The defending champions Chelsea and their manager Antonio Conte will turn to their captain, Cahill for leadership through tough parts of second half of the season. With his contract also running out in 2019, the England defender will need to make his mark this season in order to remain at the club and extend his stay.
Cahill will bring solidarity to the backline and help ease the pressure of young defenders Andreas Christensen and new signing Rudiger. A challenge for the crown is still on provided the Chelsea players buckle up and stay hot on the heels of the two Manchester clubs.