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The evolution in football, including the Premier League, has affected every position. But the demands on the full-backs now have arguably seen the biggest impact.
Full-backs are now supposed to support the attack without sacrificing defensive solidity. They are among the fittest players in the sport, and the best full-backs are often among their team's best attackers.
Managers demand a lot from their full-backs. The Premier League boasts an incredible assortment of full-back talent, with some of the best players in the world playing in England.
On that note, here's a look at the five best left-backs in the Premier League this season.
#5 Sergio Reguilon (Tottenham Hotspur)
It was slightly surprising to see Real Madrid sell Sergio Reguilon for £27 million to Tottenham Hotspur in 2020, especially after the player's good loan spell with Sevilla.
Reguilon was close to joining Manchester United before eventually moving to Tottenham Hotspur. The Spain international was hailed as a smart signing for Spurs, given his abilities both offensively and defensively. Reguilon endured a quiet first season, though, but has started this season well.
The 24-year-old has overtaken Ben Davies as the team's starting left-back. Reguilon has made nine Premier League appearances this season, providing two assists. Real Madrid reportedly inserted a buy-back clause when they sold him to Spurs, so it will be interesting to see whether they activate that in the future.
#4 Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Marcos Alonso has often been criticised for lacking defensive nous, but few full-backs can match his attacking prowess.
Alonso was a surprise signing by Chelsea in 2016, as they paid Fiorentina nearly £21 million for his signature. Alonso is an excellent wing-back, a position where his defensive weakness is not exposed on a regular basis. The Spain international is a dead-ball specialist as well, and has often scored crucial goals for Chelsea.
The arrival of Ben Chilwell in 2020 for £45 million was supposed to reduce Alonso's minutes drastically. However, the 30-year-old continues to get regular minutes in the first team. This season, he has made six Premier League appearances, scoring one goal and providing as many assist.
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#3 Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Premier League giants Manchester United are a mess right now, and not many of their players can hold their heads high so far this season.
United's Luke Shaw has not been perfect this season, but he has been one of the better left-backs in the Premier League. Shaw's development from a much-maligned left-back into one of the best in the world has been incredible. The England international is an attacking weapon, but uses his physicality and pace well defensively.
Shaw was rated as a prodigious talent during his Southampton days, and Manchester United paid nearly £34 million for his services in 2014. The 26-year-old has made nine Premier League appearances this season, and has provided an assist.
#2 Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United)
David Moyes is rightly being praised for his role in West Ham United's massive improvement. One player who has benefitted from Moyes' arrival is Aaron Cresswell.
He has been a part of the West Ham first XI for some time now. He joined the club from Ipswich Town in 2014 for £4.3 million. Since then, he has gone on to make more than 250 appearances in all competitions for the club.
Under Moyes, Cresswell is playing arguably the best football of his career. The England international has made nine Premier League appearances this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. The 31-year-old has also been utilised as a left-sided centre-back in a back three on occasion by Moyes.
#1 Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Andrew Robertson is arguably the best left-back in the world now, and has been in that discussion for some time.
Robertson has to go down as one of the best deals in Premier League history. Liverpool acquired the Scotland international from Hull City for £8.1 million in 2017. Few would have imagined Robertson to become a starting left-back for Liverpool, let alone become one of the best in the world.
The 27-year-old has done exactly that, though. Robertson is integral to Jurgen Klopp's system. His energy, dynamism and leadership have shone through, and he is one of the fittest players in the Premier League. Robertson has made six league appearances this season, providing an assist. It's not easy being the backup left-back at Liverpool, considering Robertson' form and exploits.
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