Over the last few decades, the Premier League has played host to a plethora of the world's finest attacking footballers.

They have all the tricks and flicks, they score the goals, and they live for the glamour.

They dominate the back pages and quite often it is deservedly so, but the real heroes simply don't get the kind of credit they deserve.

The true grafters, the real salt of the earth backbone of many a team, are the defenders at the heart of the backline.

Many a terrifying attack has been undone by the lack of a sturdy centre back partnership behind them and the Premier League has seen some truly astounding duos over the years.

The Belgian duo have lead Tottenham's defences admirably over the last few seasons and, despite the club struggling for silverware, have secured themselves a well-earned spot on this list.

In 6,773 minutes together, they have conceded just 54 goals.

Projected goals per season: 27.4

8. Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany 

Conceded just 46 goals in 5,744 minutes together.

Projected goals per season: 27.4

7. Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown

Ferdinand's name is rather a common thread on this list and it's not surprising in the slightest.

Brown and Ferdinand conceded 67 goals in 8,631 minutes together.

Projected goals per season: 26.5

6. Martin Keown and Tony Adams

The fabled Arsenal pairing simply had to be on this list, but their failure to make the top five does come as a bit of a shock. 

As a pair, they conceded 106 goals in 13,776 minutes together.

Projected goals per season: 26.3

5. Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell

Arsene Wenger's prized pairing during his lengthy tenure in north London conceded 49 goals in 6,420 minutes together.

Projected goals per season: 26.1

4. John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho

Terry and Carvalho formed a formidable partnership as Jose Mourinho built an incredible side capable of beating all-comers.

In 8,771 minutes together, they conceded just 66 goals.

Projected goals per season: 25.7

3. John Terry and William Gallas

Terry becomes the second name to feature more than once on this incredible list.

His partnership with the controversial Gallas saw Chelsea concede just 75 goals during the pair's 10,065 minutes together.

2. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Matic

Strike three for the burly Englishman. His partnership with Vidic quickly became legendary as they lead United to league title after league title and even a European Cup.

They played a staggering 11,692 minutes together, conceding just 84 goals.

Projected goals per season: 24.6

1. Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher

Didn't see that one coming, did you?

However, you have to remember that Carragher and Agger were the first choice pairing for a certain Rafael Benitez who was notorious for building defensively solid teams.
In their 8,171 minutes together at the heart of the Spaniard's defence, they conceded 58 goals.

Projected goals per season: 24.3