In modern-day football, the significance of the left-back position has increased rapidly, be it club or international, and the world’s best football league—the English Premier League—is no exception. The role and responsibilities of Left full-back defenders have evolved over the years. Earlier, they used to be deployed on the defensive flanks, playing more of a defensive role.
However, their job is much more than just defending they are required to pose attacking threats, create goal-scoring chances and are often tasked to stay in an advanced position along with their defence duty. In order to understand more about the position, check out the article ‘Understanding Soccer Positions: A Full Breakdown and Explanation’, in which we have covered all the positions in depth to provide positional knowledge on each football position and their roles.
Now, reverting to our main topic, ‘Left backs’ — who are an integral part of any manager’s tactics and plans. All the widely used football formations such as 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1, or any other formation with a back four in defence. They provide both defensive stability and attack options playing a well-balanced role. Premier League have hosted some of the greatest in its history and continues to do so in the present with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andrew Robertson, Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell, Destiny Udogie, Marc Cucurella, and so on.
We have compiled the top 10 greatest left-backs in Premier League history from past to present based on legacy, success and appearances and many factors are being taken into account to prepare the listicles.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Appearances | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashley Cole | England | 384 | Arsenal, Chelsea |
| 2 | Patrice Evra | France | 278 | Manchester United, West Ham United |
| 3 | Andy Robertson | Scotland | 289 | Liverpool |
| 4 | Denis Irwin | Ireland | 328 | Manchester United |
| 5 | Nigel Winterburn | England | 352 | Arsenal, West Ham United |
| 6 | Graeme Le Saux | England | 327 | Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers |
| 7 | Leighton Baines | England | 420 | Everton |
| 8 | John Arne Riise | Norway | 321 | Liverpool, Fulham |
| 9 | Stuart Pearce | England | 202 | Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, West Ham United |
| 10 | Phil Neville | England | 505 | Manchester United, Everton |
10. Phil Neville
Phill Neville’s versatility and reliability as a defender made him a key player at both Manchester United and Everton.
The only two clubs, he ever represented in the English top division and played 502 matches together primarily as a full-back, but was often tasked with centre-back and defensive midfield duties as well.
The former Manchester United legend won six Premier League titles, and three FA Cups and was also a member of the 1999 UEFA Champions League winning team of Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson.
In addition, Neville represented three Lions on 59 occasions and he is the brother of Manchester United legend and football pundit Gary Neville.
| Appearances | 505 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 24 |
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Best Defenders in Manchester United history.
9. Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce was a traditional defensive left-back with 202 Premier League games under his belt for clubs like Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and West Ham United.
Despite being an orthodox left-back known for his crunching tackles, strength and phenomenal work rate. Pearce even managed to score 20 goals and 7 assists in the League and was included in the ‘PFA team of the year’ five times.
The former Forest defender earned the nickname of ‘psycho’ due to the reckless nature of aggressive play which haunted the attackers to play against him.
He spent the majority of his career in the first division (before the Premier League Era) with Forest lifting two League Cups.
| Appearances | 202 |
| Goals | 20 |
| Assists | 7 |
8. John Arne Riise
John Arne Riise is Norway’s most-capped player with 110 appearances. He is still active as a player playing for Avaldsnes IL a Norwegian outfit.
Arne Riise is hailed for his spell in Merseyside with Liverpool he was a perfect modern-day left-back, who had an excellent eye for goal lethal with his long-range strikes and was also solid in defensive attributes.
With the Reds, he lifted the FA Cup, and a League and was a key member of the club’s 2005 UEFA Champions League winning team but missed out on the Premier League title.
In the Premier League, he racked up 321 appearances for both Liverpool and Fulham — having 51 goal contributions to his name.
| Appearances | 321 |
| Goals | 21 |
| Assists | 30 |
7. Leighton Baines
Leighton Baines is hailed as an Icon at Everton, having dedicated most of his playing career to the Merseyside club in the English top flight.
He boasts an insane tally of 32 goals and 54 assists is a testament to his stunning passing, crossing and shooting skills. Baines was a tremendous set-piece taker especially free-kicks and corners finding his mates with precision.
The Englishmen made a staggering 420 Premier League appearances while keeping 113 clean sheets, entering in PFA team of the year twice.
He is truly underrated by many due to the fact he played at Everton and didn’t have any of the big stars around him as clubmates.
| Appearances | 420 |
| Goals | 32 |
| Assists | 54 |
6. Graeme Le Saux
Graeme Le Saux represented Chelsea during the majority of his time in the Premier League. However, he has been most remembered and widely hailed for his excellent with Blackburn Rovers, the left-back guided Rovers to Premier League triumph under the guidance of Sir Kenny Dalglish in the 1994-95 season.
In 1997, Le Saux returned to Chelsea following a stint at Rovers and became the most expensive defender of that era.
He had a superb second stint with the Blues, establishing himself as the first-choice left-back at Stamford Bridge with experience and attributes on the left side of the defence.
| Appearances | 327 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 42 |
Also Read: Top 10 Premier League wingers of all time
5. Nigel Winterburn
Nigel Winterburn joined Arsenal way before the inception of the Premier League when he lifted the league triumph twice. He also played for West Ham United in his final few seasons before taking retirement.
In the Premier League, Winterburn etched his name in Gunner’s history books as one of the club legends and the greatest left back in Premier League history with 352 matches and kept 119 clean sheets
Arsene Wenger’s arrival in 1996 transitioned Nigel Winterburn into an attacking left back and played a significant role in Arsenal’s Premier League win in the 1997-98 season extending his league title tally to three.
| Appearances | 352 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 15 |
4. Denis Irwin
Denis Irwin is lauded as the most decorated left-back in Manchester United history by the fans and Sir Alex Ferguson himself labelled him as the greatest signing of the club.
The Irishman played 328 Premier League matches and managed 123 clean sheets. He was a reliable and consistent left back. Besides, his defending, set pieces were also part of his game racking up numerous assists through corners and free kicks.
Irwin enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with the Red Devils with an extraordinary seven Premier League titles haul and Champions League in 1999 during his 12-year spell at Old Trafford.
| Appearances | 328 |
| Goals | 18 |
| Assists | 24 |
3. Andy Robertson
Liverpool star Andrew Robertson is the only name on the list who still playing in the Premier League. A perfect modern-day left-back, Robertson is renowned for his relentless attacking style of play on the flanks.
He has an unbelievable work rate and stamina coupled with a fierce left foot equipped with firing shots from a distance. The Scotsman had delved well into Jurgen Klopp’s system playing an integral role.
Robertson played a pivotal role in ending the club’s Premier League drought in 2019. He also led Liverpool to lift the UEFA Champions League, and Club World Cup.
The Scotland International has 289 league appearances to his name, along with 11 goals and 59 assists — the most by any left back in the Premier League history.
| Appearances | 289 |
| Goals | 11 |
| Assists | 59 |
2. Patrice Evra
The French legend, Patrice Evra is one of the most talented defenders to have played in the Premier League. The defender played 278 in Manchester United and West Ham United colours.
At Old Trafford, he swiftly became one of the most reliable names of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side dropping consistent performance every week.
Evra’s busting runs down the flanks to help the forward in going forward and attacking. His sharp defending, leadership and positioning gave attackers a tough time against the Red Devils’ defence.
He won a staggering five Premier League titles, three league cups, four Community Shields, and a UEFA Champions League triumph in 2008. Moreover, he has earned 81 international caps for France.
| Appearances | 278 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 26 |
Read More: Premier League Vs Champions League: What Are The Differences?
1. Ashley Cole
The former England and Premier League icon Ashley Cole is regarded as one of the best Chelsea defenders of all time alongside the likes of John Terry. He is by far the best left back to have graced the English top division with no other player near his stature.
Cole played for two of the biggest football clubs London Arsenal and Chelsea making 384 appearances with 148 clean sheets and 15 goals and 31 assists as well. A complete left back exceptional in defence and equally great in going upfront in attacks
One of the most decorated defenders in the world won the Premier League thrice and was also an essential member of Arsenal’s invincible squad who was unbeaten in the 2003-04 season.
Included in the PFA Team of the Year four times, at Chelsea he lifted the Champions League in 2012, and the Europa League in 2013 respectively.
The Likes of Cristiano Ronaldo labelled Ashely Cole as the toughest defender he has ever faced in his entire career. It depicts his legacy in the Premier League.
| Appearances | 384 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 31 |
FAQ
Q. Who is the greatest Premier League left back?
A. Arsenal and Chelsea legend Ashley Cole is the greatest left back to play in the Premier League.
Q. Who has the most Assists in Premier League as Left back?
A. Liverpool’s Andy Robertson has the most number of assists as left back in the league’s history that is 59.
Q. Which left back has won the most Premier League titles
A. Manchester United icon Denis Irwin has seven Premier League triumphs in his haul at the club.
Q. How many Man United players are there on this list?
There are three Man United players on the list of best left backs.