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Left-footed vs Right footed Which group of current players make a stronger side?ProofreadThe season is about to enter the business end. How teams perform now will determine the outcome of everything. There have been many mid-season XIs on the best players of this season. We will be a bit more specific here.This list will contain a team of the best left and right-footed players of this season. The selections have been based on how they have played so far this seasonand how influential they have been for their respective teams.The formation is 4-3-3 and here it goes..
#1 Goalkeepers
Right-footed
Manuel Neuer
The only person who could give Manuel Neuer a competition in this section was David De Gea. The Manchester United shot-stopper has been superb so far this season. However, the German edges him out by a slight margin.
The former Schalke goalkeeper has, as usual, been superb this season. He is an important member of Pep Guardiola’s pass-it-out-from-back tactic. His ability with the ball at his feet is one of the biggest reason why Bayern turn defense to attack in a very short space of time.
Left-footed
Hugo Lloris
This was a tough choice. With Thibaut Courtois taking over from the legendary Petr Cech, one would expect his name here. However, the Frenchman has been Spurs’ savior on numerous occasions. His influence on Spurs has been slightly more than Courtois’ with Chelsea.
While the Belgian has been outstanding, he has a better defense to shield him than the former Lyon goalkeeper. Many of Spurs’ win this season are by a margin of one goal – and Hugo Lloris is a big reason for that.
Who wins? Picking one among these two is harder than choosing between mother and father. However, since Lloris has had more of a say on Spurs’ results than the German, the Frenchman has the edge over the Bayern man.
#2 Right-Backs
Right-footed
Daniel Carvajal
It would be safe to say that Dani Carvajal has been Madrid’s most consistent defender with Pepe struggling with injuries and Ramos with inconsistency (and also injury). The Real Madrid youth product has stamped his authority as the best attacking right-back in Europe and his bombarding runs from attack is a major – and understated – reason why the ‘BBC’ operate so well.
He is also good when it comes to defending. Obviously, he gets caught out a few times due to his attacking nature, but his speed and accuracy in tackles makes up for that and puts him on this list.
Left-footed
Ricardo Rodriguez
Ricardo Rodriguez came into the fray big time last season. The former Real Madrid player was much sought-after by many top European clubs, but in the end he decided to stay at Wolfsburg – and what a good decision that was.
He is one of the key reasons of Wolfsburg’s high-flying season. Very intelligent in defense and assured in attack, Ricardo Rodriguez’s presence on the left-flank is the game changer for Wolfsburg. He hasn’t played a single game at right-back, but it’ easier to find hair on Wayne Rooney’s head than left-footed right-backs and hence he makes his way here.
Who wins? This can be dubbed an unfair choice after reading the reason, but Daniel Carvajal has the edge over Ricardo Rodriguez at right-back. Even though, Ricardo Rodriguez is a better full-back overall, the Spaniard is better attacking-wise and also the fact that he is a natural right-back, unlike the Swiss.
#3 Right-Center Backs
Right-footed
John Terry
This was a no-brainer. Chelsea are leading the Premier League by a margin of 5 points, have the second best defensive record in the league and John Terry is a major reason for that.
He might be in his mid-30s, but his leadership and enormous presence at the back gives assurance to the hearts of Chelsea fans and manager Jose Mourinho. He is going very strongly and if he keeps it up, he will be holding the Premier League title come May and won’t be labelled as a full-kit w**ker for it like he was after Chelsea’s Europa League glory.
Left-footed
Jan Vertonghen
Tottenham Hotspur have found a playing identity after a long time, thanks to Mauricio Pocchettino, and Jan Vertonghen is a crux of that identity.
Not only is the Belgian a great defender, but his ball distribution from the back makes him key to Pocchettino’s pass-and-move approach. He might make the odd blunder, but he is generally very calm and composed and has further improved under the Argentine this season.
Who wins? A no-brainer here. John Terry wins this battle. The Englishman has arguably been the best defender in the Premier League and his years of experience also puts him over the Belgian in this regard.
#4 Left-Center Backs
Right-footed
Diego Godin
The rise of the Uruguayan under Diego Simeone has continued to this season as he been a mammoth presence at the heart of the defense for the Rojiblancos.
Players have found it really hard to outsmart Godin and it is his astute leadership from the back that makes Atletico Madrid the second best team in terms of defending in La Liga, statistically.
Left-footed
David Alaba
The highly versatile Austrian can play almost anywhere. This season, he has spent most of his playing time in the center of defense and, as expected, shined with flying colours.
Pep Guardiola’s unorthodox methods has seen the 22 year-old play in central defense and his very mature head has taken to the position like a fish takes to water. Bayern are solid at the back and ruthless at the front – and Alaba is a major reason for the former.
Who wins? Even though David Alaba is highly talented, he’s new to playing at center-back on a consistent basis and hence Diego Godin wins this head-to-head. Diego Godin is highly experienced and is less likely to make errors than the Austrian.
#5 Left-Backs
Right-footed
Cesar Azpilicueta
Usually, this place is kept safe for Philipp Lahm. However, with the German not having played a single game at left-back and also suffering from an injury, it is the Spaniard that takes this place due to his commanding performances week-in and week-out.
When Mourinho splashed the cash on Felipe Luis, many thought that he would take over the starting role from the former Marseille man. However, he has not only kept his place, but doesn’t look like losing it. When a right-footed player is preferred to a left-footed player – like Felipe Luis – at left-back, you know he is special.
Left-footed
Jose Gaya
The youngest player on this list. Gaya has been the revelation of this season. Sensational performances every week has got many clubs interested in him, with reports surfacing that he might as well be on his way to Real Madrid next season.
All this at only 19 years of age. He certainly has a big future ahead of him.
Who wins? Jose Gaya might be having a terrific season, but Azpilucueta’s consistency, maturity and experience puts him ahead in this contest. Although the Valencia boy is more talented, the Chelsea man has more minutes to his name and hence makes the cut.
#6 Defensive Midfielders
Right-footed
Toni Kroos
The engine of Real Madrid. With Xabi Alonso’s departure, the German has taken over the role of the midfield general and what a fantastic response he has given to Carlo Ancelotti’s trust.
He has played almost every minute for the Whites and a starting XI without him is unimaginable. At times, he has been overplayed, but his outstanding fitness has made sure that he continued playing well. His crisp passing and cosmological vision has been key to Madrid this season.
He has also added a new weapon to Real Madrid’s arsenal: set-piece threats.
Left-footed
Nemanja Matic
This was another no-brainer. Not only has he been the best left-footed defensive midfielder in Europe, he is arguably this season’s best defensive midfielder in general.
In tactical terms, he is Chelsea’s most important player. He breaks up attacks and then spreads the ball around quickly, thanks to his all-round abilities that make him a good passer as well. There is now little wonder as to why Mourinho decided to splash so much cash to get him. He has been the difference-maker for Chelsea this season – in a subtly dangerous manner.
Who wins? Even though the German is the more established player, Nemanja Matic has been the better player in this position this season. His all round abilities makes him more complete than the former Bayern star and thus suited to the defensive midfield role, though the latter is the more creative player.
#7 Right-Center Midfielders
Right-footed
Paul Pogba
He is being touted as the next 100 million man, such has been his influence at Juventus. When Sir Alex Ferguson thought it was better to play right-back Rafael at central midfield instead of the Frenchman, Pogba thought that he has had enough and sealed a move to Juventus.
Since then, the regrets have been on the red side of Manchester exclusively and he has gone from strength to strength to become the best player of his age group in the world. His all-round and all-action box-to-box performances have been crucial for the Old Lady and it won’t be long before they cash in on him.
Left-footed
David Silva
The Merlin. When he plays, Manchester City are as alive as a cheetah when it sees its prey. When he doesn’t, City are like the turtle hidden inside its shell.
He is their main playmaker. Almost all the attacks of City this season, which have led to goals, have gone through him. He is the heart that beats and regulates the blood for City. And If City have any chance to beat Chelsea for the title, the Spaniard must stay fit.
Who wins? David Silva might be the heart of the Etihad, but Paul Pogba is the heart, backbone and gut of Juventus. His completeness as a player and raw ability – and the consistency with which he uses it – puts him ahead of the magician from Spain.
#8 Left-Center Midfielders
Right-footed
Kevin de Bruyne
While he plays in a more advanced role, he has to take his place a little deeper here – purely because of the amount of right-footed forwards in superb form. The former Chelsea man has been Wolfsburg best player this season and ran riot against Pep Guardiola’s Bayern
There must be some regret in the air of Chelsea’s dressing room after seeing the way he has been performing this season – especially when they had to sell the inconsistent Andre Schurrle and replace him with Juan Cuadrado. With just a little over half a season gone, Kevin de Bruyne has 9 goals and 12 assists in the league to his name.
Left-footed
James Rodriguez
After a great World Cup, James was signed for a mammoth 80 million Euros by Real Madrid. Many expected the price tag burden to be too much for him, but he has fired those critics in style.
Playing in a deeper role than his natural one has not stopped him from scoring 12 goals and making 10 assists in all competition. With Luka Modric's absence, the expectations for him to do create chances increased and he has fulfilled them.
Who's better? Both James and Kevn de Bruyne have been fantastic this season. However, the Belgian takes the edge here since he has bailed out his team a lot of times and is the main reason why Wolfsburg are second in the Bundesliga.
#9 Right Forwards
Right-footed
Alexis Sanchez
Perhaps the best attacker of the Premier League this season. He, along with Santiago Cazorla, has been the reason to Arsenal’s surging run this year. His influence in the team makes the other players around him better.
His determined attitude drives his team-mates to put more effort. It isn’t a coincidence that Cazorla’s best time – and Ozil’s resurgence – has come at a time when the Chilean is around.
Left-footed
Arjen Robben
Perhaps the best player in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo right now, Arjen Robben has taken over from Frank Ribery for Bayern Munich and his exceptional displays every week puts fans in awe.
Wine gets better with age and so does Arjen Robben. Who once was an inconsistent player struggling with injuries has become the best player in the world in the right-forward role.
Who wins? Even though Alexis Sanchez is in hot form, it is not enough to call him better than Robben so far this season. The Dutchman has been playing at a level similar to that of Cristiano and Messi and definitely has the edge over the Chilean.
#10 Left Forwards
Right-footed
Cristiano Ronaldo
Is there a need of an explanation here? Cristiano Ronaldo is a reigning Ballon d’Or holder and has been the best player so far this season as well. 2015 might not have started well for him, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has been immense this season.
When a player doesn’t score for only 3 games in a row and it is labelled as a crisis, you know that that particular is special and the standard set by him is bigger than the ego of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Left-footed
Antoine Griezmann
He is arguably the best left-footed attacker in the world right now after Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben. Only Lionel Messi has scored more goals than Antoine Griezmann in 2015 – just goes to show the form he is in.
After a fantastic season with Sociedad, Atletico Madrid snapped him up and he has been their best forward this season. In him and Mario Mandzukic, Atletico Madrid have an attacking duo that could look Madrid’s BBC and Barca’s MSN in the eye.
Who wins? There is no need for any explanation here on who has been the better player. 2015 might not have been kind to the Ronaldo yet, however, the Portuguese still has been better than the Frenchman and thus overpowers him in this regard.
#11 Center Forwards
Right-footed
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema has been fabulous this season. While Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo are the big fishes, it is Benzema who goes about doing his job quietly and selflessly as his withdrawn movements and playmaking in the final third gives his team-mates the perfect setup to score.
Many might argue his choice, but here is a stat that [somewhat] conveys his importance: he has the most assists plus goal combination (28 goals and assists in Champions League and League) after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi so far this season.
To further demonstrate his importance, Real Madrid’s best ever run of 22 consecutive wins was parallel with his best form in the White shirt.
Left-footed
Lionel Messi
After a slow [to his standards] start this season, Lionel Messi is back with a bang. The Argentine machine is firing like an AK-47 and scoring goals without any hiccups at the moment (bar Malaga).
His return to form has lifted Barca from the tricky situation they were in a few months and his form will remain the most crucial aspect for Barcelona if they are to win anything this season.
Analysing the teams, the frontline of the left-footed team is better than the right-footed one, but the right-footed team has a better backline and the midfield of both teams are equally good, though the left-footed one is tactically more balanced. Since defense wins you trophies, the right-footed team could be adjudged as slightly stronger.
Who wins? Another no-brainer regarding who has been superior. Benzema is the crux of Real Madrid’s attack, and so is Lionel Messi – and the latter has been better in every regard than the former. Both have one thing in common, however: when they play well, so does their teams – and the Argentine has been more consistent in this aspect.
So that’s it. This is the list. Which team do you think is stronger – the left-footed one or the right-footed? Do you agree with it? If not, then comment your opinion!
