Ranking The 10 Best Left Backs In The Premier League

In modern-day football, the significance of the left-back position has grown rapidly, be it in club or international football, and the world’s best football league, the English Premier League, is no exception. The role and responsibilities of 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 our detailed piece ‘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’, 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 involving the back four. As they provide both defensive stability and attack options, playing a well-balanced role. The 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.

Ranking Factors

• Premier League Games: The number of appearances a player has made during the course of their spell in the English top flight is the first key factor.
• Number of Titles: The Number of EPL titles and domestic cups are also considered to rank best Premier League left backs. League titles hold greater weitage.
• Impact and Performance: Player’s performances & stats, like goals and assists, are taken into the narrative along with their influence on the team’s success.

We have compiled the top 10 best 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.

10. Phil Neville (England)

Phill Neville was known for his versatility and dependability, which made him a pivotal player at both Manchester United and Everton. The only two clubs he ever represented in the English top division and played 502 matches altogether as a full back. But he 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

9. Stuart Pearce (England)

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 face 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 (Norway)

John Arne Riise is Norway’s most-capped player with a staggering 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 goals, lethal with his long-range strikes and 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 (England)

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, which 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 that he played for Everton and didn’t have any of the big stars around him as clubmates.

Appearances	420
Goals	32
Assists	54

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best Defenders in the Premier League Right Now (2025)

6. Graeme Le Saux (England)

Graeme Le Saux represented Chelsea during the majority of his time in the Premier League. However, he is most remembered and widely hailed for his excellence with Blackburn Rovers. The left-back guided Blackburn 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. Le Saux 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

5. Nigel Winterburn (England)

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 (Ireland)

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 and Champions League in 1999 during his 12-year spell at Old Trafford.

Appearances	328
Goals	18
Assists	24

Also Read: Ranking the 10 best strikers in Premier League Right Now

3. Andy Robertson (Scotland)

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, making him one of the best left backs in Premier League 2025. The Scotland International has 302 league appearances to his name, along with 11 goals and 59 assists — the most by any left-back in Premier League history.

Appearances	302
Goals	11
Assists	59

2. Patrice Evra (France)

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 champion team, dropping consistent performances 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’ defense. Considered one of the best left back in Premier League history, Evra had an impressive career with the Red Devils, winning many prestigious trophies. He won a staggering five Premier League titles, three league cups, four Community Shields, and a UEFA Champions League triumph in 2008.

Appearances	278
Goals	7
Assists	26

1. Ashley Cole (England)

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 fullback, 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. In fact, one the greatest, Cristiano Ronaldo once labelled Ashley Cole as the toughest defender he has ever faced in his entire career. This speaks volumes of Cole’s celebrated legacy in the Premier League.

Appearances	384
Goals	15
Assists	31

List of Best Left Backs in the Premier League

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

Also Read: Ranking 10 Best Midfielders In Premier League Currently

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