Turn-of-the-century Chelsea: Petrescu, Desailly, LeBoeuf, Babayaro.
More flawed than the Blues next regular combination under Jose Mourinho, sure. But Terry, Carvalho et al had little to no likeable traits.
These guys, with their ball-playing centre-halves and the attack-minded Babayaro and Petrescu, they gave Chelsea the swagger than would attract Roman Abramovich to London.
Tom Honan/EMPICS Sport
Ireland, 1990: Morris, Moran, McCarthy, Staunton.
Of course, they were helped by the presence of Paul McGrath ahead of them in midfield. But as a unit, these guys were partly responsible for one of the most amazing adventures in Irish sporting history.
© INPHO / Billy Stickland
21st century Milan: Cafu, Costacurta Nesta, Maldini.
Quite simply, our idols when it comes to defensive placement. Nobody else on this list (with the possible exception of the final inclusion) could read danger as quickly as Paolo Maldini and even recently, with his pace long since departed, Maldini was a cut above.
Fabio Diena/Press Association Images
Mid-90s Manchester United: Parker, Bruce, Pally, Irwin.
This picture (a 4-0 defeat at a Stoichkov and Romario entertained Nou Camo) may have been their most exposed moment, but Manchester United supporters will remember this foursome fondly as the team that finally delivered a title after an interminable long wait.
Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport
European heavyweight Liverpool: Neal, Hansen, Thompson, Kennedy.
The bedrock of LIverpool’s second period of European dominance. We may have the odd laugh at the standard of their punditry these days, but there was nothing wrong with their in-game perception 30 years ago.
Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport
Arsenal, for ages and ages: Dixon, Adams, Bould, Winterburn.
All together now, lads: “OFFSIDE, REF!”
YouTube credit: RealGunnerForever
In our dreams: Breen, Breen, Breen, Breen.
Image credits: INPHO
