The day of the English centre-back has returned

Premier League clubs are packed full of foreign players but in recent years the call for the English centre-back has risen.

England suddenly have a group of up and coming centre-backs who are hugely in-demand.

New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas even revealed that his first signing is likely to be an English centre-back.

In-Demand

These relatively young defenders may currently play for smaller clubs in the Premier League but some of the top flight big fishes are now looking to sign these promising stars. Here are just a few of those promising defenders:

Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers)

The Bolton centre-back has been linked with moves to bigger clubs for the past two seasons and it looks like he could be on the move this summer. The last year has saw his star rise as he became an England international.

Last season he was the rock at the centre of the Bolton defence. His performances only increased his value in the transfer market. A move away from the Reebok Stadium was mooted in January but the Trotters managed to hang onto their key asset.

The former-Villa player has however now admitted that he would like to move to a bigger club. He is now being chased by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. Wanderers are likely to demand in the region of £20million for the 25 year-old.

Scott Dann (Birmingham City)

The 24 year-old defender has came along way in the past three seasons. He has gone from playing for Championship strugglers Coventry to a regular in the Premier League with Birmingham.

Since making the step up to the top flight he has steadily improved as a player and formed a solid partnership with Roger Johnson at the heart of the Blues defence. Unfortunately for Birmingham the partnership wasn’t good enough to keep them in the Premier League.

His consistent form has raised his profile among the elite of English football. He is also being linked with a move to Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea are currently favourites to sign the £10million rated star.

Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)

The highly-rated defender has played a key part in Stoke’s consistent position in the middle of the Premier League in the last few seasons. His consistency has even lead to calls for him to be capped at international level.

The former-Manchester United trainee is now regarded amongst the best young up and coming defenders in the English top flight and has lead to speculation linking him with a move to a bigger club.

The 23 year-old has recently claimed that he is settled at the Britannia but if the Potters receive a bid that is too good to turn down then they would have to consider it. Liverpool and Tottenham are believed to be interested in acquiring his services.

It looks unlikely that the Stoke skipper will be moving this summer. However in football you just never know what’s going to happen.

Bright

With first choice England centre- back partnership Rio Ferdinand and John Terry now in their thirties the need for reinforcements has grown.

England fans need not worry though with the likes of the promising duo of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones added to the aforementioned trio the heart of England’s defence will be safe for years to come.

Will any of the above players be on the move this summer?