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In the modern football world, the full-back isn't a defensive position anymore, at least not entirely. In most major leagues, full-backs often rank high when it comes to touches on the ball and passes. That's because the standard 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 formations look more like 2-3-5 when the team is attacking. The full-backs are bombarding the flanks in the final third and adding numbers to the offense.
Once upon a time, the best left-back on the team was the third-best center-back or the center-back that was left-footed. Neither was the player technically gifted on the ball nor was he offensive-minded. The era of this sort of full-back notably ended with players like Gary Neville who lacked attacking qualities. However, they made up for it with consistency in defense.
For the better part of the last three decades, great attacking full-backs have emerged. They have redefined tactics and how teams can dominate through the wings. Legends like Roberto Carlos redefined the role, driving in from the left flank and searing a thunderous shot at poor goalkeepers.
Today, there is hardly a world-class left-back who remains behind the mid-line when their team is on the attack. They have the athleticism to bombard down the left flank. They have the pace to get past their marker, and the technique to power in a cross or shot.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best left-backs in the world right now:
#5 Marc Cucurella | Brighton
Marc Cucurella has risen through the ranks and graduated from Barcelona's famed academy La Masia. He left Spain's shores to ply his trade in the Premier League in 2021, and he's on fire.
The star spent two seasons with Getafe, playing over 80 games and steadily providing over a key pass per game. Now at Brighton, he's managing nearly two key passes per Premier League game.
He is often positioned as a wing-back or full-back on the left flank for the Seagulls. The former Getafe ace has improved his tactical positioning and passing qualities.
He's averaging over 50 passes per game, and notably provided an assist during Brighton's 2-2 draw with Leicester in the League Cup.
Brighton sat just 13 points away from the red zone last season. However, they are currently 7th place in the Premier League, and Cucurella's consistency has been key to their form.
#4 Theo Hernandez | AC Milan
After moving around Spain for four seasons, the star has found his home and settled down well with the Rossoneri. He has spent the last three seasons in Serie A.
Last season, he stood out for AC Milan, guiding the side with seven goals and five assists in Serie A. The former Real Madrid left-back has already scored a goal and assisted three in nine Serie A games this season.
Although he's picked up a red card in Milan's recent match against Roma, the star has maintained strong form at the international level as well. In France's recent 8-0 win against Kazakhstan, Hernandez aided the team's victory with two important assists.
The left-back has made over a dribble per game for the Rossoneri. His presence in the final third is clearly important for Milan's domestic and continental campaign.
#3 Andrew Robertson | Liverpool
When Virgil van Dijk's injury threatened Liverpool's defense last season, players like Andy Robertson rose to the occasion.
Robertson's past four seasons with the Reds have seen the star pick up a brilliant 37 assists. Last season, he managed seven assists from 38 games. However, fellow wing-back Trent Alexander-Arnold took more of the attacking acclaim in Liverpool.
His defensive output has increased notably this season. The star is averaging one interception, one tackle and three clearances per Premier League appearance.
His balance of attack and defense remains top-notch. The ace left-back is also maintaining over a key pass per game on average in all competitions this season.
#2 Joao Cancelo | Manchester City
The Manchester City star has a penchant for making his mark as a full-back on either flank. Pep Guardiola has enjoyed using him on whichever side needs a player.
Joao Cancelo has found his form on the left flank this season and his stats for City are incredible. He has scored two goals and made three assists in just four Champions League appearances.
His Premier League stats haven't been as enigmatic, with the star picking up just two assists in eleven games. However, his presence in the final third has been exponential with over two shots per game in the league.
His defensive output has also been impressive, with Cancelo averaging nearly three interceptions and two tackles per game in all competitions.
#1 Alphonso Davies | Bayern Munich
He's just 21, but the youngster has already won 10 major trophies with Bayern Munich. This includes three back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
Nicknamed the Roadrunner, Alphonso Davies is arguably one of the fastest footballers in the world, having clocked 22.6 mph in June 2020. But the star isn't just about speed. Davies is a brilliant dribbler who has averaged nearly three dribbles per game throughout his entire career.
So far this season, the star has managed an astounding four dribbles per game in the Bundesliga. In 10 games, he has helped the Bavarian giants with three assists.
While Davies enjoys the bulk of his time on the pitch in the final third, his defensive output has remained strong. He has averaged nearly two tackles, one interception and one clearance per game in the Bundesliga this season.
His capacity to cause havoc on the left flank for Bayern notably guided the side to a Champions League trophy two seasons ago. The star is still in top form.
