With the news that David James and Joleon Lescott have signed contract extensions, and after a great performance in the San Siro from Jamie Carragher, it’s time to reflect on three unsung Premier League heroes.

Unsurprisingly all three are defensive players, and with the media’s attention focused on goal-scorers and creative players, these three have had a great season and provide a reassuring presence at the back for their respective clubs, which has largely gone unnoticed.

David James:
Harry Redknapp has made his managerial name by being a wheeler-dealer and his £1.2m signing of the former Watford and Liverpool goalkeeper must be among one of his greatest deals. From the days when he was known as “Calamity”, James, like a fine wine, has improved with age.

'Everton’s successful season has been based on a solid defence, and Lescott, whether at left-back or centre-back, has played his part'


He has been sensational this season and has played a key role in Pompey’s success. James has reserved his most important displays for the FA Cup, saving a crucial penalty at Preston in round five, and he was excellent at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals. His save from Patrice Evra prior to Pompey’s winner showed his abilities to be a match-winner as much as any other outfield player in the Premier League.

James is also a rare breed in modern football. He is able to speak eloquently about the game and his regular articles in The Observer provide a real insight into the goings on behind the scenes at Fratton Park.

Joleon Lescott:
Everton’s successful season has been based on a solid defence, and Lescott, whether at left-back or centre-back, has played his part. He has bagged a very impressive eight goals this season.

His standing at the club was confirmed following his own-goal in the first-leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea. No one blamed the England defender, and seconds later he went close to making amends.

Lescott is becoming equally proficient at both ends of the pitch and would undoubtedly walk into almost every other side in the league.

Jamie Carragher:
In some ways Carra is lucky to make this list because he is recognised by fans and pundits alike as one of the best defenders in the world.

But it is his all-round consistency and defensive obduracy that stand out. In January, Carragher made his 500th appearance for Liverpool, and at the San Siro on Tuesday night he played his 100th European game for the Reds.

In his early days in the first team Carragher played all over the defence and in midfield, showing little sign of the immense defender he would later become. But his “no nonsense” style of defending harks back to the old days in British football and his combative way of playing has led to numerous trophies at Anfield.

Against Inter Milan he performed brilliantly in his least favourite position of right-back, snuffing out the threat of Javier Zanetti and Zlatan Ibrahimovic whenever they came near his flank. Carragher and Steven Gerrard are the English rocks on which any success under Rafa Benitez is built.

Almost every team in the Premier League has an “unsung hero”. Other names that could have been on this list include Philippe Senderos, Ricardo Carvalho, Nemandja Vidic, Martin Laursen and Sylvain Distin. Without these players the more celebrated stars would be nothing.

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