If you could choose the greatest Chelsea CB pairing in the club's history who would you choose and why?

No question for me - JT and Gallas. With Cech behind and Makelele in front we had the best Insurance policy ever. 

Frank Leboeuf and Marcel Desailly for me were my favourite/fondest, back in the days when i could go more regularly. To put together a title challenge though would have to be JT and Carvalho

Notable mention must go to pates and McLaughlin!!

Nutton and Sitton.

10 hours ago, chi blue said:

Notable mention must go to pates and McLaughlin!!

Oh Yes indeed indeed it must

JT and Carvalho , who were to me, a brilliant central defensive partnership.

 

10 hours ago, chi blue said:

Notable mention must go to pates and McLaughlin!!

This central defensive partnership was ever present bar two games in that season.

 

16 hours ago, chi blue said:

Notable mention must go to pates and McLaughlin!!

Hay and Wicks.

16 minutes ago, Backbiter said:

Hay and Wicks.

I was so happy when we signed David Hay. He had a great WC, however IMO he was not the same for Chelsea, but still showed his class at times. Great player.

8 hours ago, erskblue said:

JT and Carvalho , who were to me, a brilliant central defensive partnership.

 

Can’t argue with that. Special mention though to the legend that is Micky Droy, and king of the long pass Frank Lebouf

Cahill & Luiz. The only pairing with a champions league medal 

On a serious note, JT & Carvalho. 

Can't go past JT & Carvalho for smashing the defensive record in 2004/05 (with 15 goals conceded!) and generally being miserly since. 

JT and Gallas. Complimented each other perfectly. Personally I don't think any other pairing comes even close. Not just the best at Chelsea but the best the EPL has seen IMO.

Gallas - Terry

Carvalho - Terry

Leboeuf - Desailly

Best defence,,,, 

Ferreira Carvalho Terry Cole

 

That very brief reliance we had on Mikel-Cahill towards the end of Guus' most recent tenure.

Pretty much Terry and whoever had the pleasure of being next to him. 

If i had to choose just the one i'd go Terry - Carvalho though.

For me its Terry/Gallas.

It close for Carvalho to be included but the pace of Gallas just about edges it. I remember him catching Henry in full flow and that took some stopping.

Gallas and Terry were the best by far. They have the premiership defensive record. It was when Mourinho banished Gallas to full back that the rot started to set in first time round

Gallas was a flying machine, whilst Carvahlio was more street smart IMO.

Superb positional play, adept at blocking, holding and the assorted dark arts.

What about this as a back four.  ( Okay slightly off topic I accept.)

'Chopper' Harris and Eddie Mac as the full backs with JT and Carvalho as the centre backs.

I can't see many players getting past any of them, never mind all four !

Terry and Carvalho.

They were a defensive juggernaut.

Pates and McLaughlin

chi and Jezz: No arguments from me regarding your respective choices.

Very controversial opinion but when I make my all time Chelsea XI I have Gallas over Cole.

Started watching Chelsea circa 2005 and Gallas and Lampard were my favorite players. Loved the former's attitude and passion.

Cech

Ivanovic Carvalho Terry Gallas

Kante Makelele

Zola Lampard Hazard

Drogba

Edited February 20, 20251 yr by Sconnie Blue