'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Having played as Chelsea's preferred left back for over four years, Marcos Alonso's erratic nature saw him benched for the majority of last season in favor of Ben Chilwell. The Spanish defender, who can also be deployed as a wing back, has experienced multiple purple patches in his Chelsea career but has never been able to display the maturity a seasoned professional exudes.
His most fruitful spell for the Blues came under the reign of Antonio Conte, where he enjoyed a much more advanced role, winning the Premier League in the Italian's first season in charge. The 30-year-old left back showed glimpses of his former brilliance under new boss Thomas Tuchel, which earned him a surprising number of first-team call ups.
Nevertheless, 24-year-old Chilwell is clearly perceived as Chelsea's long-term solution to their left back woes. As such, Alonso is likely to play second-fiddle to the Englishman at Stamford Bridge.
#2 Alex Telles (Manchester United)
Bought as a like-to-like replacement for the outgoing Ashley Young, Alex Telles was supposed to be the Englishman's successor in the left back slot. Having long been touted for a big-money move to a top-five European league, the former Porto stalwart was picked up by Manchester United in an attempt to solidify their floozy defence. However, his arrival sparked a spirit of survival in fellow United acquaintance, Luke Shaw, that no person on planet Earth could've predicted.
Shaw was signed in 2014 for €37.5m, making him the most expensive teenager in football at that time. However, injuries and inconsistent form always plagued his time with the Red Devils. Hence, Telles' arrival at Old Trafford all but confirmed Shaw's role as a deputy left back.
Nevertheless, the 26-year-old's rejuvenated form transformed him into an undroppable asset for Ole Gunnar Solskjær. As a result, Telles had to settle for a bit-part role in his first season with United, almost exclusively appearing for the Reds in their cup games.
In complete honesty though, the occurrence of this ordeal has more to do with Shaw's freakish 20/21 season than the Brazilian's abilities as a left back. In his limited game time, Telles was able to produce eight-goal involvements, maintaining 1.3 crosses and an average of 1.6 long balls per game in nine league appearances.
#1 Marcelo (Real Madrid)
An absolute legend of the game, Marcelo's decline from the pinnacle of football has been monumental, to say the least. He was a mainstay under Zinedine Zidane's first spell at Real Madrid's helm and played a crucial part in Los Blancos' historic Champions League three-peat, in three consecutive years. Since then, Marcelo has seen a drastic decrease in his game-time, with the veteran defender only registering 19 appearances in the 20/21 season.
Even though Real Madrid have no intentions of selling Marcelo and are reportedly planning to grant him the captain's armband for the upcoming season, his constant defensive slip-ups and a gigantic drop in attacking output will most probably restrict him to the bench. While Carlo Ancelotti will almost assuredly go with Ferland Mendy as his first-choice left back, Marcelo can still provide decent cover.
The 33-year-old left back has been a loyal servant to Los Merengues, arguably even better than the legendary Roberto Carlos. With Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane gone, Marcelo is the senior-most defender on Real Madrid's squad and will be looking to bow out on a high, come next season.
Also read: Top 5 backup goalkeepers at club level - 2021
