Because of the endurance, attacking, and defensive skills needed, the full-back position is thought to be one of the most difficult on the field.
Because of his skill at both ends of the pitch, Andy Robertson is considered one of the greatest left-backs in Premier League history.
Two additional outstanding left-backs from the Premier League era are Ashley Cole and Denis Irwin, a former Manchester United player.
Some of the best full-backs in football history have played in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson, the best manager in Premier League history, famously remarked, “Defence wins you titles, attack wins you games.” There are plenty of instances of teams who have relied on a strong backline, and it’s difficult to argue with the Scottish legend.
One of the most difficult football abilities to perfect is defence. Defenders simply cannot make a mistake, or else they are thrust into the spotlight, whereas strikers can miss opportunities and finally score to eliminate any negative. On the pitch, a full-back’s job is possibly the hardest. You won’t be able to compete at the highest levels of the sport if you lack the endurance, attacking ability, and defensive steadiness.
When considering some of the greatest players to have ever played in the English top flight, names like Ashley Cole, Denis Irwin, and Patrice Evra immediately come to mind, but there are countless others. Consequently, GIVEMESPORT has compiled a list of the top 15 left-backs to have ever played in the Premier League.
Factors that rank
The following primary criteria were taken into account when creating a list of the top 15 left-backs in Premier League history:
Longevity Objectives Helps Maintain Clean Sheets Vitality to their group
15 Best Left-Backs in Premier League History: A Ranking of Trophies Won
Rank
Name
Club or clubs
1.
Ashley Cole
Chelsea and Arsenal
2.
Robertson, Andrew
Liverpool and Hull City
3.
Irwin, Denis
Wolves and Manchester United
4.
Evra Patrice
West Ham and Manchester United
5.
Winterburn, Nigel
West Ham and Arsenal
6.
Le Saux, Graeme
Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and Chelsea
7.
Pearce, Stuart
West Ham, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest
8.
Riise, John Arne
Fulham and Liverpool
9.
Luke Shaw
Manchester United and Southampton
10.
Baines, Leighton
Everton and Wigan
11.
Alonso Marcos
Chelsea
12.
Ian Harte
Leeds United
13.
Neville, Phil
Everton and Manchester United
14.
Silvestre, Mikael
Arsenal and Manchester United
15.
Clichy Gael
Manchester City and Arsenal
15Gael Clichy
Arsenal, Manchester City
Despite a difficult period both on and off the pitch, Gael Clichy, who was bought by Arsene Wenger as a relative unknown in the mid-2000s, became a crucial component of Arsenal’s ongoing success in qualifying for the Champions League. During his tenure as a Gunner, the Frenchman had a number of noteworthy moments, such as helping to set up Robin van Persie’s equaliser against Barcelona during the historic 2-1 Champions League victory at the Emirates.
When Clichy joined his fellow former Gunners in leaving for Premier League rivals Manchester City, where he won two league titles, it was his most trophy-winning period as a player. He is undoubtedly one of the more underappreciated left-backs of his generation, having made 325 games in the top tier overall.
Premier League stats for Gael Clichy
Matches
325
Objectives
3.
Helps
19.
14Mikael Silvestre
Manchester United, Arsenal
Mikael Silvestre was the quintessential professional, a versatile player who never complained wherever he played. It was no surprise that Sir Alex Ferguson relied heavily on him, and that Arsene Wenger, in his later years as a football player, thought highly enough of him to bring him to Arsenal for a brief stint. Although the Frenchman had a wealth of experience playing at the highest level, the greatest benefits came from his nine years at Old Trafford.
Silvestre would win the Champions League in 2008, his last season with Manchester United, to top off his career, which included several Premier League crowns and FA Cups. The defender is ranked highly because of his performance at United, and his four Premier League titles rate among the best of any player on this list.
The Premier League stats for Mikael Silvestre
Matches
275
Objectives
9.
Helps
20
13Phil Neville
Manchester United, Everton
Football fans might have forgotten how long Phil Neville’s career lasted because he has now expanded his profession as a manager. In fact, Phil’s time at Old Trafford is frequently forgotten due to his brother Gary’s own achievements as a legend at Manchester United and then as a Sky Sports commentator. But before he finally went to Everton in 2005, he had won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and a Champions League during his 10 years with the Red Devils.
Neville played both full-back positions with relative ease at Goodison Park, solidifying his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most dependable and steady players. Overall, he would play for the blue half of Merseyside for eight years, and he even nearly reached his Manchester United total of appearances.
The Premier League stats for Phil Neville
Matches
505
Objectives
9.
Helps
24
12Ian Harte
Leeds United, Sunderland, Reading
Ian Harte is best remembered for his tenure at Leeds United during their heyday at the turn of the twenty-first century. He had a significant role in the team that stunned European football by making it to the Champions League semifinals in the 2000–2001 campaign. With three goals and 17 games played throughout that competition, the left-back proved crucial for the Whites moving ahead.
Before deciding to join Levante in La Liga, Harte was one of the Premier League’s most dangerous full-backs in the late 1990s and early 2000s thanks to his wand of a left foot and ability to strike a ball. However, he continued to play in the top division of English football, briefly rejoining Sunderland and then Reading for subsequent appearances.
Premier League stats for Ian Harte
Matches
237
Objectives
28
Helps
27
11Marcos Alonso
Chelsea
Even though Marcos Alonso was never the best defensive left-back, his future accomplishments greatly offset some of his disadvantages from his past. The Spaniard stood out as a defender that opposing defenders truly had to mark because of his roving runs and ability to timing his moments into the opposition’s penalty area to come on the end of crosses from the opposite side with either a stunning volley or a thunderous header.
In fact, he scored six goals in the Premier League alone during the 2016–17 season and seven goals during the 2017–18 campaign, which still stand as his finest performances to date. Alonso also had a tendency to score goals in crucial matches, such as those against London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.
The Premier League stats for Marcos Alonso
Matches
179
Objectives
26
Helps
17
10Leighton Baines
Wigan, Everton
Baines really started his career at Wigan Athletic, but his best football was at Goodison Park with Everton, where he played for 13 years before retiring in 2020. The former England international stayed faithful to the Toffees despite his performances in the 2010s earning him some significant connections to elite Premier League clubs at times.
He would go on to play a crucial role in both defence and attack for Everton, rewarding his devotion. At the height of his abilities, Baines became one of the greatest dead-ball specialists of all time, taking the majority of the set pieces for the Merseyside club, such as corners and free-kicks. He was ranked at number ten because of his inability to succeed at the highest level.
Premier League stats for Leighton Baines
Matches
420
Objectives
32
Helps
53
9Luke Shaw
Southampton, Manchester United
Luke Shaw made his professional debut with Southampton at the age of sixteen, and his impressive achievements there led to a major move to Manchester United in 2014. After receiving constant criticism from Jose Mourinho, there were moments when serious questions arose regarding whether he was the right player to start at left-back in the long run.
Since then, he has developed into one of the league’s top left-backs. The 29-year-old had a very successful 2022–2023 season under Erik ten Hag, helping the Red Devils win the Carabao Cup and earn a Champions League spot. Throughout his playing career, the Englishman has sustained a good number of ailments. He would rank better if he maintained his fitness level more consistently.
The Premier League stats for Luke Shaw
Matches
253
Objectives
3.
Helps
17
8John Arne Riise
Liverpool, Fulham
John Arne Riise combined a strong attacking threat with defensive tenacity. In the early 2000s, the Norwegian was regarded as a top full-back and a dead-ball specialist because to his devastating left foot.
During his seven-year tenure at Anfield, which included the club’s comeback in the mid-2000s, Riise became a true Liverpool icon thanks to his incredible work ethic and skill in the final third. The former defender was the quintessential modern left-back, always dependable when called upon. He returned to England with Fulham three years after departing the Merseyside giants in 2008. But it was his tenure at Anfield that made him most famous.
The Premier League stats for John Arne Riise
Matches
321
Objectives
21
Helps
30
7Stuart Pearce
Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Ham
Known as ‘Psycho’ when he was playing, Stuart Pearce was a true hardman and a former England international. The former Nottingham Forest and West Ham player earned his nickname for his fear-inducing tackles, intense gaze, and pragmatic style of play.
In addition to his moniker, he was a difficult player overall, which is aptly summed up by the fact that he attempted to continue playing in a West Ham vs. Watford game despite fracturing his leg. Pearce became a mainstay in the England squad and one of the best full-backs in the nation in the 1990s. Having made more than 200 Premier League matches, he is ranked in our top 10 list mostly due to his consistency at the highest level.
Premier League stats for Stuart Pearce
Matches
202
Objectives
20
Helps
7.
6Graeme Le Saux
Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Southampton
The Jersey-born left-back’s two stints at Premier League powerhouse Chelsea in west London are what made him most famous. Le Saux thrived after being traded to Blackburn in 1993, winning a Premier League medal and becoming a regular for England.
He returned to the Blues in 1997 and played a key role in the team’s 1998–2000 League Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup, and FA Cup victories. Le Saux is among the defenders with the most assists in Premier League history with 44, despite coming from an older period where full-backs weren’t quite as attacking.
Premier League stats for Graeme Le Saux
Matches
327
Objectives
Twelve
Helps
44
5Nigel Winterburn
Arsenal, West Ham
Nigel Winterburn is maybe one of the greatest defensive-minded players to ever wear the iconic red shirt, and Arsenal has been fortunate to have excellent defenders for many years. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Midlander maintained a permanent position while serving the team for 13 years. Throughout his tenure in north London, supporters respected him for his professionalism and passion for the game.
Winterburn was a constant at the back, but he also contributed five goals and 19 assists in the last third. Because of his longevity and reliability for the Gunners, the former Premier League champion is ranked so highly on this list.
Premier League stats for Nigel Winterburn
Matches
352
Objectives
5.
Helps
19.
4Patrice Evra
Manchester United, West Ham
For almost a decade, Evra was a key member of Manchester United’s defence. He was a constant threat down the left flank because of his endurance, agility, and precise crossing, and he had a fantastic balance between offensive ability and defensive solidarity. In addition to providing United with an extra man moving forward, the raiding full-back was a continual thorn in the side of rival sides.
During his tenure, his winning mentality and leadership were crucial to the Red Devils’ team’s success. Towards the end of his career, Evra had a brief stay with West Ham, but he was unable to make an impression. But the reason he is featured so highly is because of his achievements at Old Trafford.
Premier League stats for Patrice Evra
Matches
278
Objectives
7.
Helps
21
3Denis Irwin
Manchester United, Wolves
During the 1990s, the former Republic of Ireland international played a crucial role for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United teams. The dependability and adaptability of Denis Irwin were important. He could play both left and right full-back and was just as good on defence as he was on offence. He scored 18 goals in his English career and had a good eye for goal.
Irwin’s reputation as one of the best defenders in the Premier League was solidified by his professionalism and reliability over the years. His inclusion in the most-used Manchester United starting lineup throughout the Premier League era demonstrates how long he has been with the Red Devils.
Premier League statistics for Denis Irwin
Matches
328
Objectives
18
Helps
25
2Andrew Robertson
Hull City, Liverpool
Andy Robertson, who spent three years at Hull before joining Liverpool in 2017, has contributed to the transformation of the full-back position in contemporary football. He has contributed at least ten assists in three of the Reds’ six Premier League seasons, making him unquestionably one of Jurgen Klopp’s greatest acquisitions ever. He has undoubtedly made a name for himself as one of the world’s top defenders when you consider his speed, vigour, and poise.
With more than 250 league games under his belt, Robertson, 30, is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs to have ever played in England. He was instrumental in the Reds’ 2020 Premier League victory. He’s in at two since he hasn’t won any league titles.
The Premier League statistics for Andrew Robertson
Matches
288
Objectives
11.
Helps
59
1Ashley Cole
Arsenal, Chelsea
Ashley Cole was a complete full-back because of his ability to mix defensive duties with offensive threat-making. At the height of his abilities, the former England international consistently produced top-notch performances for both club and country.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, the former defender was a key player in Chelsea’s 2010 Premier League victory. In addition, Cole played a significant role in Arsenal’s 2003–04 season, which saw the Gunners finish the season undefeated. He was able to make quick decisions and quickly convert defence into attack thanks to his quickness, endurance, and agility. When you factor in his longevity, you have the best left-back in league history.
The Premier League stats for Ashley Cole
Matches
385
Objectives
15.
Helps
31
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