While their primary job is to stop goals, these legends have made a career out of scoring them. Following Virgil van Dijk’s record-breaking 23rd goal for Liverpool this week, the spotlight is back on the most prolific defenders in Premier League history.
From towering headers to dead-eye penalties, here is the definitive list of the highest-scoring defenders the league has ever seen.
The "Overall" Top 5 (Full-Backs & Centre-Backs)
When including full-backs—who often benefit from being designated penalty and free-kick takers—the leaderboard features some of the most consistent set-piece specialists in English football.
Rank,Player,Goals,Main Club(s)
1,John Terry,41,Chelsea
2,Ian Marshall,33,"Leicester, Ipswich"
3,Gary Cahill,28,"Chelsea, Bolton"
4,Virgil van Dijk,27,"Liverpool, Southampton"
5,William Gallas,25,"Chelsea, Arsenal"
Note: Ashley Young has 50 goals, but many were scored while playing as a winger earlier in his career. The list above focuses on those who spent the vast majority of their careers in the backline.
The "Pure" Centre-Back Kings
If we look strictly at central defenders, the list changes slightly. These players largely relied on aerial dominance from corners and set-pieces rather than penalties.
John Terry (41 Goals): The undisputed king. Remarkably, Terry reached this total without ever taking a penalty.
Ian Marshall (33 Goals): A unique case; Marshall was so dangerous in the air that he was occasionally deployed as an emergency striker.
Gary Cahill (28 Goals): A Chelsea legend who formed a lethal scoring partnership with Terry.
Virgil van Dijk (27 Goals): Following his goal against Sunderland, Van Dijk is now the highest-scoring active defender in the league and is chasing down Cahill for a spot on the all-time podium.
William Gallas (25 Goals): Known for his "knack" for being in the right place at the right time for Chelsea and Arsenal.
The Verdict: While John Terry’s record of 41 goals remains a "mountain to climb," the modern era of set-piece specialization means players like Van Dijk and Gabriel are closing the gap faster than ever before.