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The one position in the Premier League that has seen a surge in quality lately has been the left back position. After the initial rise of the wing-backs system, this season most teams have preferred to deploy a back four. This has brought us back to the classic full back scenario, where the lung-busting overlapping runs from the left backs are a common sight.
In this list, we rank the 7 best left-backs in the Premier League at the moment. The selection has been based on the season that they are having, their overall quality as well as their impact on their respective teams.
Feel that we missed a player worthy of being in the list or don't agree with the rankings? Comment down below.
#7 Sead Kolasinac - Arsenal
Arsenal haven't have had the best of defensive records this season- they have managed only 3 clean sheets all campaign and none at home. Still, the wing play deployed by them this year has been a spectacle to witness. Much of this is due to their attacking full backs.
Kolasinac has so far managed to gather 4 assists through this system- the same number that he managed in the whole of last campaign. There is a massive room for improvement in both stats and the performances.
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Still, there is little doubt about the quality that the Bosnian international possesses. He did miss the first three months of the campaign to be fair to him and has steadily made his presence felt in the new Arsenal side under Unai Emery.
A tall and physical player who loves to run on the left flank, Kolasinac could still end up as a top full back in the Premier League. He is only 25 with plenty of years left in his kitty to get there. His defensive prowess needs to be improved, but there is no doubt that the Bosnian is a handful while going up front.
#6 Jose Holebas - Watford
As Watford surprisingly went off to a miraculous start this year in the Premier League- the veteran full back took the spotlight after lending 4 assists and scoring once in the first 4 games.
34-year-old Greek left back Holebas has only continued on that form and is having one of his best ever campaigns in the Premier League. He has got a couple more goals and assists and has helped his side be in the top half of the table. A bit of an impressive feat since the Hornets were many people's favorites to go down this year.
Holebas provides for in-service what he lacks in pace. His crosses from the left wing are right there among the very best in the Premier League at the moment. His quality on the dead ball means that he also is the team's designated set-piece taker. Pretty neat for a full back heading into the summit of his career.
#5 Lucas Digne - Everton
Digne was one of the two Barcelona defenders that Everton brought in this summer to shore up their defence under the new manager Marco Silva. After a slow start to the season, the Frenchman has given a string of consistently impressive displays in the team. One can now see as to why he was being considered one of the best left-backs of the next generation before his career graph fell down.
Digne has scored 3 goals and provided as many assists in the EPL this season. He has a good tactical understanding of the game, is quick and can attack as well as he defends. He has continued to be a regular feature in the French national, perhaps more on the bench than anything, after being put on standby in the team's World Cup-winning campaign.
In the Premier League, however, Digne has made the left back spot his own and has become an integral part of the squad. Still, only 25, Digne might still take a stepping stone in his career if the performances keep coming.
#4 Luke Shaw - Manchester United
Not many players are able to salvage their careers after the tumulus injury problems that someone like Luke Shaw has faced. After 4 seasons of uncertain game time and injury layoffs, Shaw finally came into his own this campaign showing glimpses of being the player that was promised during his time at Southampton.
On the defensive front, man United had been woeful this term under Mourinho but Shaw was regularly praised for his impressive displays at the back. After the change in managerial position, the team has gathered two clean sheets already in the league which adds upon Shaw's stats of 1 goal and 2 assists.
The Englishman is known for his marauding runs forward, both through the wing and the middle. His defensive side of things has also massively improved this year. With the club's renaissance under Solksjaer, Shaw might just continue to have an even better season with a lot more attacking freedom given to his play. Also at 23, Shaw has all the years to reach the heights that were billed on him in his early days.
Here's to hoping that his injury woes are well behind him.
#3 Benjamin Mendy - Manchester City
It is a shame that we are getting to see Mendy only in bits and pieces from the last two seasons. A long injury lay-off kept the Frenchman out for the majority of last season and injury stuck once again this year after a tremendous start to the campaign. Mendy might be taking the top spot in the list if it wasn't for his long term absence.
Having a peach of a left foot, Mendy hammered pinpoint crosses in from the left wing, grabbing an insane 6 assists in 9 matches this season. His attacking play style landed him at times in the striker's position where the World Cup winner, looked as much at ease as he does in his usual left back position.
City have definitely missed him this year after falling behind Liverpool in the title race and will be thrilled to have him back sometime in the coming week. Fans and neutrals alike will be hoping that he continues with his boisterous attack down the left when he does return.
#2 Marcos Alonso - Chelsea
The verdict is a split one at the moment on the Spaniard. Many among Chelsea's own fans have not been too impressed with Alonso lately. There is, however, no denying the fact that he has been one of Chelsea's best players in the last few years.
A better wingback perhaps that he is a left back, Alonso can be devastating in attack from the wing, especially with his shot power. Under Antonio Conte's system, he scored 13 goals in two seasons in the Premier League, which is a great return for a defender. This year he turned more of a provider, grabbing a still impressive 7 assists and a solitary goal in the league.
While the attacking returns might have dried up recently, Alonso is part of the second-best defence in the league this season. While a mini-crisis seems to be springing up at the London club and the future returns might be a bit uncertain. There is still no doubt that the Spaniard continues to be one of the best left back in the league.
#1 Andrew Robertson - Liverpool
Not many would have predicted that Klopp would take a modest young player from Hull City and transform him into one of the best full-backs in the world.
Robertson joined Liverpool at the beginning of the 2017-18 season and soon grew into one of the most crucial players in the Reds line up. This year, the Scotsman has only gotten better and helped his team get to the top of the table.
His overlapping runs from the wing are one of the best in the league and when coupled with a strong delivery from his left foot come to devastating effect. Unsurprisingly, Robertson has gathered a total of 6 assists in the league this season. While his defensive game continues to be just as good with Liverpool having the best defense in the league at the moment- conceding only 13 goals so far.
Robertson has recently signed a long term contract at the club where he might end up staying for some time continuing his meteoric rise.
