Left-back may not be the “glamorous position” on the field, but it can make the difference between a team’s success and failure.
History has shown that no team in the Premier League has ever won the title without a solid left-back, someone who can effectively balance both defensive duties and supporting the attack. Since the inception of the Premier League more than 30 years ago, numerous talented left-backs have shined in this competition.
Here are the top five players considered the best in this role.
5. Nigel Winterburn
Nigel Winterburn’s 13-year career at Arsenal saw him create many memorable moments for the Gunners. In fact, before the Premier League came into existence, he had already helped Arsenal win two First Division titles.
He later lifted the Premier League trophy with Arsenal under the legendary manager Arsene Wenger in the 1997/98 season. In total, Winterburn made 555 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners and ended his playing career at Highbury.
4. Patrice Evra
Despite a shaky start after joining Manchester United in January 2006, Patrice Evra gradually adapted and became a crucial player under Sir Alex Ferguson, thanks to his ability to seamlessly switch between attacking and defending.
The former French international made a total of 278 Premier League appearances and won the league five times. Evra also secured a Champions League title with Manchester United in 2008. He later played for Juventus, Marseille, and finished his career with West Ham.
3. Denis Irwin
The former Irish international had an incredibly consistent and successful career, collecting numerous trophies with Manchester United in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Every time he stepped on the pitch, Irwin provided perfect balance for one of the world’s best teams at the time.
Irwin was a world-class left-back, known for his all-around play. He scored 18 goals and provided 24 assists during his time in the Premier League. With Manchester United, Denis Irwin won 7 Premier League titles.
2. Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson was signed by Liverpool from Hull City in 2017 and quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back under Jurgen Klopp. To this day, he holds the record for the most assists by a left-back in Premier League history. With Liverpool, Robertson has won one Premier League title and one Champions League trophy.
1. Ashley Cole
No matter how good Robertson, Irwin, or Evra are, Ashley Cole remains above them all. The former England international is the standard for left-backs in both Premier League history and the present day, thanks to his stamina and well-rounded game.
After rising through the ranks at Arsenal and winning two Premier League titles, Ashley Cole moved to Chelsea, where he claimed another league title in the 2009/10 season and a Champions League title in 2012. Cole was also named in the PFA Team of the Year four times.
