John Terry has shocked Chelsea fans by admitting that Liverpool's Jamie Carragher is the best defender in the world.
Asked who he thought was the best defender in world football, Chelsea captain John Terry produced a surprising answer: Liverpool's Jamie Carragher.
The pair have often been viewed as very similar players, both showing a willingness to be brave and throw themselves into last ditch tackles.
Both defensive rocks for their clubs, Terry has gone on to take the captain's armband for England while Carragher was overlooked by Steve McClaren in favour of the likes of Wes Brown, Ledley King and Sol Campbell.
The Anfield favourite decided to call it quits at international level, but Terry thinks it's a shame that Carragher was never given a real chance to make his mark as an England centre-back.
"I personally think that over the last four or five years he has been the best defender in the world,” said the Chelsea skipper.
"He has everything you need to be a world class defender and you also have to look at what he's achieved in the Champions League with Liverpool.
He's been consistent in The Premier League, he's never injured, he always gives one hundred per cent, he's a good reader of the game, he's quick and is good in the air,” Terry continued.
"For a centre half he's also great on the ground as well. He knows when to get the ball away, when to clear his lines. He also never stops talking to his team-mates and that's a great thing to have. Even when you watch games on the television it's always his voice you can hear."
