Sport
The top ten left-backs in Premier League history
Playing on the left side of the pitch is considered a tricky task at best and it only gets harder if you are expected to both attack and defend. It’s why left-backs are given the unenviable task of doing both throughout the 90 minutes. The best of these players make this look like an art form though. They provide both defensive coverage in their own half whilst adding a unique twist to any forming attack. Some of the best left-backs in recent years have changed the game in their own way and won plenty of silverware in the process. With that in mind, who are the top ten greatest left-backs in Premier League history?
10. Marcos Alonso
When Marcos Alonso first appeared in the Premier League for Bolton in 2010, he looked like he was only set for a brief spell in England. However, his second stint in the English top flight was absolutely spellbinding for the Spaniard. After 4 years in Serie A with Fiorentina, Alonso returned to England – this time with Chelsea – where he showed just how far he progressed. His overall game had evolved tremendously particularly his passing and set-piece abilities. A deadly free-kick taker, Alonso never had any issue causing havoc for opponents with the ball at his feet. It was why he notched 25 goals in 6 seasons with Chelsea with a best return of seven in the 2017-18 season. Whilst at Stamford Bridge, Alonso won the 2016/17 Premier League title and was also named in the 2017-18 PFA Team of the Year. An excellent bout of form which ended with a return to Spain with Barcelona in 2022.
9. John Arne Riise
There was no messing around when John Arne Riise was on the pitch. The Norwegian took his football very seriously and proved it via surging runs, powerful tackles or unleashing ferocious shots from his left-foot. Best known for his spell with Liverpool, Riise notched over 230 games at Anfield where he became a cult figure for his all-round game. This was proven best in his debut season in England where he scored 7 goals in the 2001-02 season including a breathtaking winner against arch-rivals Manchester United. After leaving Liverpool for Roma in 2008, Riise returned in 2011 for three seasons in London with Fulham although he would fail to repeat the same attacking prowess as he did at Liverpool. Still, Riise earned plenty of plaudits for his defensive prowess and it all underlined how he was one of the full-backs in the 2000s
8. Leighton Baines
Despite never managing to win a Premier League title, Leighton Baines was a player that could tear even the very best teams to shreds. Baines had pace to burn and used this to surge down the left back challenging and stopping the best wingers in their tracks. Furthermore, he was very much a dead-ball specialist. Penalties, free kicks and corners all seemed easy for the former England international. First rising to prominence with Wigan, Baines became best known for his 13-year run with Everton. Baines regularly netted during his time at Goodison Park scoring 29 goals during his career – including 5 goals in both the 2012/13 and 2013/14 season. His form at both ends earnt top plaudits from The Toffess faithful including 3 Player of the Season awards from the club. With an addition 2 PFA Team of the Year nominations to that and it is a sure sign of an accomplished career for Baines.
7. Graeme Le Saux
Perhaps the finest footballer to ever emerge from Jersey, Graeme Le Saux was a mainstay for much of the first half of the Premier League’s existence. Le Saux was a speedy left-back that could often add an extra edge on the wing at a time when it wasn’t expected of players. His presence for both Chelsea and Blackburn during the 1990s helped him establish himself as a first-team regular in both the league and for England. Le Saux was a key part of Blackburn’s title winning squad in the 1994-95 season and was also a key part of helping The Blues return to the upper echelons of the table. It was why he was nominated in two PFA Premier League Team of the Season awards over a career that glistened at the turn of the century.
6. Stuart Pearce
It was always easy to when Stuart Pearce was on the pitch. Capable of playing long balls from within his half or even whipping in tricky corners, Pearce was comfortable anywhere on the pitch. For attackers, they would also feel the force of a tackle from Pearce who took no prisoners but always won the ball at the same time. Whether it was for Nottingham Forest, Newcastle or West Ham, Pearce always pushed himself forward to give his all for his team. It was why Pearce wn plenty of plaudits for his play including 1996 Player of the Season for Nottingham Forest an also Premier League Player of the Month in February 2001. All this shows that Pearce was a unique talent on the pitch and there will only ever be one “Psycho” to adore in football.
5. Nigel Winterburn
Arsenal’s backline was one of the toughest to penetrate in world football throughout the 1990s and a key cog in this lineup was Nigel Winterburn. An excellent reader of runs, Winterburn could intercept balls and make tackles without any real difficulty no matter who he was up against. With The Gunners, Winterburn was a key part of the side that always found themselves in title contention even if he didn’t win the Premier League until later in his career. It was during the successful 1997-98 campaign that Winterburn scored stunning goals against Chelsea and Wimbledon to underline his success in the title-winning season. After leaving Arsenal in 2000 after 440 games, he had a short spell with West Ham before retiring for good in 2003.
4. Andrew Robertson
The modern game is full of hybrid players starring as full-backs but few play as well or consistently as Andrew Robertson. The Scottish star is absolutely electric on the pitch being one of the fastest on the pitch and able to make pinpoint passes with ease. The speed and accuracy at which he delivers these often tears defences to shreds – a feature not expected of a fullback. Robertson has done this for Liverpool since moving to Anfield in 2017 and the results have been nothing short of impressive. As well as winning the 2019-20 Premier League title, Robertson has also been named in 2 PFA Team of the Season squads and also in the 2019 UEFA Team of the Year. A true star at the peak of his game.
3. Denis Irwin
During the 1990s, Manchester United dominated English football and it was Denis Irwin who could always be found filling the left-back spot for Sir Alex Ferguson. Having joined from Leeds in 1990, Irwin’s calmness on the ball was balanced with excellent tackling and the ability to always find a way to get the ball moving to a teammate. It was why Irwin won 7 Premier League titles during the course of his career as well as 3 Premier League Team of the Year nominations. He was also well-regarded by fans as he was named in the Premier league Team of the Decade in 2003. All these plaudits saw the Irishman inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2016 underling just how well thought of he is to this present day.
2. Patrice Evra
For nearly a decade, Patrice Evra showcased to everyone across the Premier League why full-backs were becoming strong footballers in all facets of the game. The Frenchman was lightning quick when charging down the left-flank and could whip in deadly crosses just as well as he could make last-ditch challenges. His passion and knowledge of the game also earned him plaudits from teammates who saw Evra as a leader in the dressing on. It was why he was so well liked at Old Trafford during his 8-year stint with Manchester United. During this time, he won five Premier League titles and was included in no less than 3 PFA Team of the Year squads. He was also named in the 2009 FifPro World X underlining the impact Evra continually made across the global game during his extensive career.
1. Ashley Cole
It was almost impossible to miss Ashley Cole when he was on the pitch. The ex-England star was a livewire on the left-side using his pace to drive plays forward as well as make key defensive moves late into a game. Cole came through the Arsenal youth ranks and was almost a regular within a year of his professional debut. It was why Cole was a key part of two Premier League title wins with The Gunners as well as being part of the famous Invincibles squad in the 2003-04 campaign. A controversial move to Chelsea followed in 2006 but it didn’t affect his form on the pitch. During his time at Stamford Bridge, Cole added another League title to his name and continually proved himself to be one of the best defenders of his generation. This was underlined by 4X PFA Team of the Year nominations as well as the 2010 England Player of the Year. His combined form for Arsenal and Chelsea saw him named as the best left back in Premier league history in both 2012 and 2019 underlining just why the ex-England star is so fondly remembered for his actions on the pitch.
