Fulham all-time Premier League XI includes Brede Hangeland

Brede Hangeland is named Fulham's best centre-back in the club's all-time Premier League XI, with Edwin van der Sar and Steve Finnan also selected.

Brede Hangeland has been chosen as Fulham's best ever centre-back in the club's ongoing all-time Premier League XI series. The selection comes as the current side, 19th in the Premier League with just two points from five games, prepares for a key trip to face 11th-placed Ipswich on October 10.

"Our daily ultimate international break series continues as we move on to day four of our very own all-time Fulham Premier League XI," said Tom Masters. The series, counting down to the Ipswich fixture, has already named Edwin van der Sar as the club's greatest goalkeeper and Steve Finnan as its best right-back.

Historical Centre-Back Legacy

Hangeland's inclusion is built on a formidable record. The Norwegian defender made 217 Premier League appearances for Fulham between 2008 and 2014, more than any other player in the club's top-flight history. He scored eight league goals, including six in the 2010-11 season, and captained the side during its memorable run to the 2010 Europa League final. His consistency and leadership provide a stark contrast to the current defensive challenges.

Other legendary figures were considered for the centre-back berth. Aaron Hughes, who played 250 games in all competitions for the club, made 196 Premier League appearances and was booked only five times. Zat Knight amassed 150 top-flight outings across eight seasons, while Alain Goma brought experience from winning Ligue 1 with Auxerre before his spell at Craven Cottage.

Defensive Options in this season's squad

The historical debate arrives at a difficult moment for the present team. Fulham have conceded eight goals in their opening five league matches, with a recent form line reading DWDLL. The current defensive unit, which includes David Affengruber and the returning Joachim Andersen, will be looking to the club's past greats for inspiration. Andersen, who impressed on loan in 2020-21 and was nominated for Premier League Player of the Month, is back at the club after three seasons with Crystal Palace.

Another modern stalwart, Tim Ream, also featured in the discussion. The American made 312 appearances for Fulham, playing 46 games in the promotion-winning 2021-22 campaign and 33 the following season in the Premier League before his move to Major League Soccer. His tenure exemplified the kind of durability celebrated in this series.

With the team struggling near the foot of the table, the focus now shifts to the immediate future. Marco Silva's side must find a way to stop the slide, starting with the visit to Portman Road. Fans can check the full schedule, including that key fixture, on our fixtures page and review this season's squad's details on our squad list. The task is clear: channel the resilience of legends like Hangeland to climb away from danger.