EPL: Top 20 Number 2’s Countdown
EPL: Top 20 Number 2’s Countdown
Shirt numbers can tell you a lot about a player. It can give you an indication as to whether they are in the first team and it can also often reveal a lot about the player’s position. In this series we will countdown the best players in the EPL for each shirt number, starting with the number 2 jersey that is so popular with defenders.
Judging Criteria
This countdown is heavily weighted towards recent form, with players who have had an eye-catching start to the 14/15 EPL season gaining a lot of credit. The other factors taken into account include the influence each player has at their club, whether they are an automatic pick or a fringe player and ultimately what they value is to their side both currently and in the future.
The best player in the history of the EPL to wear the number 2 shirt was probably player turned pundit Gary Neville, who was ever present for Manchester United during their years of dominance. Right backs and centre backs tend to take the number 2 jersey, but on the odd occasion a more attacking player can take it. Clint Dempsey for example took the number 2 shirt for Seattle Sounders during his stint in the MLS.
20 – n/a – Queens Park Rangers
QPR are the only EPL side to not have a number 2 registered, which is quite surprising given that they tend to play with three centre-backs. It is the only squad number from 1 to 11 that they have not assigned, stopping this list from having a perfect countdown from 20.
19 – Micah Richards – Manchester City (on loan to Fiorentina)
Micah Richards has to finish bottom of this list in light of his recent contribution to Manchester City in the EPL. He has done his best impression of a disappearing magic trick over the last few seasons and despite injuries, he has shown little ambition to move to a new club and push his career forward. Once a right back with huge potential, he has now been farmed off on loan to the Serie A where he has made two appearances.
18 – Tony Hibbert – Everton
Finding himself behind the excellent Seamus Coleman in the pecking order, the 33 year old is a bit of a cult hero at Everton, in a big way due to his incredible 0 goals from 262 league appearances. He is loyal and reliable, but no longer offers what he once did for Everton. Still gets game time in the cup competitions, but will not be setting the world alight any time soon, unless he scores.