One of the most evolving positions in football, let’s take a look at the ten best left-backs of the Premier League era.
10. Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
An emerging left-back tipped as the next Ashley Cole, Ben Chilwell is enjoying an outstanding 2019/20 season at Leicester City.
Arguably England’s best left-back at the young age of 23, he’s become a prime transfer target for Chelsea this summer.
9. Stuart Pearce (Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, West Ham, Manchester City)
Nicknamed “Psycho” for his no sense style on the pitch, Stuart Pearce helped take Forest out of relegation to finish third in the Premier League during the 1994/95 season. The club reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals a year later.
All in all, Peace made over 700 appearances for Forest, won the League Cup twice, and was voted into the PFA First Division Team of the Year five times.
8. Phil Neville (Manchester United)
One of “Fergie’s Fledglings,” Neville did not establish himself as Manchester United first-choice left-back until the early 2000s due to Denis Irwin.
Along with his brother Gary Neville playing fullback on the right flank, the two won heaps of trophies together, including six Premier League titles, three FA Cup trophies, and the 1998/99 Champions League.
7. Leighton Baines (Everton)
Had Leighton Baines played for one of the bigger clubs and won more trophies, he’d be up a few spots closer to Ashley Cole.
The industrious Englishman earned PFA Team of the Year honors in 2011/12 and 2012/13 Premier League seasons.
6. Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
Released by Celtic as a teenager and demoted to amateur leagues, left-back Andy Robertson has come a long way to superstar stardom.
The Scotsman served a linchpin of the Liverpool side that won the Champions League last season and is pushing for its long-awaited Premier League trophy this year.
The 26-year-old can defend, trackback, and send in dynamite crosses like his counterpart on the right flank, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
5. Nigel Winterburn (Arsenal)
The former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn played over 400 games for the Gunners.
He helped the North London side achieve the 1997/98 Premier League title and two FA Cups. He also won the Football League First Division twice.
4. Denis Irwin (Manchester United)
Denis Irwin remains one of the few Manchester United players to make 500 appearances for the club.
A reliable and robust defender who also excelled at free kicks and penalties, the Irishman helped lead the club to 7 Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and a 1998-99 Champions League trophy.
3. Graeme Le Saux (Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea)
Graeme Le Saux started at left-back for the title-winning Blackburn Rovers back in the 1994-95 season.
He appeared on the PFA Team of the Year for the 1994/95 and 1997/98 seasons. He twice played for Chelsea, helping the side to the Football League Cup during the 1997/98 season.
2. Patrice Evra
Once considered the best left-back in the world for his intelligence, discipline, and pace, Patrice Evra helped Manchester United to five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.
His eight-year spell with the Red Devils saw him play 379 games and snag ten goals.
1. Ashley Cole
Considered by some to be the best left-back in the world during his career at Chelsea, Ashley Cole won four FA Cups, a Premier League, a League Cup, a Europa League Cup, and Champions League with The Blues. He also won two Premier League titles and four FA Cups as a Gunner.
His controversial move from the Gunners in 2006 to Chelsea earned him the nickname ‘Cashley Cole’ by Arsenal fans. With his continued success and swath of trophies in West London, Cole was able to put the transfer saga comfortably behind him.
