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Modern football places a lot of emphasis on wingers. The likes of Pep Guardiola are well-renowned for the way they use players in that position, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez becoming top players under his coaching.
The importance that clubs put when scouting for wingers is immense; there is a reason why Manchester United are desperate to get Jadon Sancho. Quality wingers provide pace, penetration as well as goals and creativity, and are capable of making a difference at any moment in the game.
Some left-wingers over the years have endeared themselves to the neutrals with their performances; Eden Hazard for Chelsea and Marco Reus for Borussia Dortmund come to mind. On that note, we take a look at:
5 best left-wingers in football right now
#5 SON HEUNG-MIN, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tottenham Hotspur did not have the best of seasons last time around, letting go of fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino and bringing in Jose Mourinho as manager midway through the season.
One player however, who has been a constant source of productivity, as well as positivity, is winger Son Heung-min. The South Korea international joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for €30 million and after a poor first season was linked with a move away.
However, he decided to stay and has been one of their best players since then. The 28-year old has made 229 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 85 goals and providing 47 assists. Capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, Son has often deputised for Harry Kane as a striker although he has predominantly played on the left-hand side for Tottenham this season.
#4 RAHEEM STERLING, MANCHESTER CITY
A prodigious talent who made waves even during his Queens Park Rangers days, Raheem Sterling moved to Liverpool's academy aged 16.
Here the England international would make his name as one of the best young talents in the world, forming a fearsome attack alongside Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez. However, contract disputes meant that he left Liverpool to move to Manchester City for a fee of £44 million in 2015.
The 25-year old, after a slow first season, has improved massively under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola. He has made 243 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 100 goals and providing 75 assists. Mainly operating as a winger, Sterling is capable of operating as a striker or as an attacking midfielder if needed.
Also Read: 5 greatest UEFA Champions League finals of all time
#3 SADIO MANE, LIVERPOOL
The PFA Fans' Player of the Year winner for 2020, Sadio Mane has played an extremely important role in the successes of Liverpool in recent years.
Mane was signed from Southampton for a fee of £34 million in 2016, with his blistering pace and match intelligence standing out since his Saints days. Under manager Jurgen Klopp, the Senegal international has become one of the best players and wingers in the world, forming a fine attacking partnership with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
The 28-year has been utilised in various attacking positions at Liverpool. Mane has made 170 appearances for the club so far, scoring 81 goals and providing 34 assists.
#2 CRISTIANO RONALDO, JUVENTUS
One of the greatest players to have ever played, Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy and fame increase on a daily basis.
Having begun his career at Sporting CP, the Portuguese superstar made his name at Manchester United, before becoming one of the greatest of all time at Real Madrid. Ronaldo is Los Blancos' all-time top goalscorer, with an astounding 450 goals in just 438 appearances.
The 35-year old moved to Juventus in 2018 for a club-record €100 million, the highest ever fee paid for a player over 30 years old. Ronaldo has made 89 appearances for the club so far, scoring 65 goals. He won the Serie A Footballer of the Year during his first year at the club.
#1 NEYMAR, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
One of the best players in world football right now and the world's most expensive footballer, Neymar is a global superstar.
The Brazil international was a vital component during his spell at Barcelona, forming the fearsome 'MSN' attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. To avoid playing in the shadow of Messi, Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a world-record fee of €222 million.
The 28-year old has had a topsy-turvy spell in France, with injuries playing a major role. Despite that he has led the club to a Champions League final, and triumph there would go some way to justifying his enormous fee. Neymar has made 84 appearances for the club so far, scoring 70 goals and providing 41 assists.
Also Read: Top 10 players with most goals in a single Champions League season
