Vote for who you think is the Premier League’s top left-back.
Here are our picks for the best ten left-backs in the English top tier, on the final page you will find our poll, vote for your favourite as we look to put together a ‘Premier League Best XI’
Davide Santon (Newcastle)
A terrific prospect at Newcastle, Italian youngster Davide Santon has been at the club since his move from Inter Milan back in 2011. The 22-year-old started his career as a winger, and it shows with his skillful and attack-minded displays from the back. Naturally right-footed, Santon provides something a little different from left-back, but it certainly seems to be his strongest position, and he continues to develop into one of the best in the Premier League.
Ben Davies (Swansea City)
A player who has only recently burst onto the scene, Swansea left-back Ben Davies has already attracted some attention from bigger clubs after his breakthrough at the Liberty Stadium. The 20-year-old Welsh international first became a regular last season and has continued to make the left-back spot his own this year, with some particularly promising attacking runs from defence to provide Michael Laudrup’s side with another attacking outlet. With two goals already this season, Davies could be on his way to a bigger club before too long if he carries on like this.
Danny Rose (Tottenham)
A player still perhaps most famous for his stunning debut goal for Tottenham against local rivals Arsenal, Danny Rose has improved his consistency in recent times after a highly impressive loan spell with Sunderland last season. Now back at White Hart Lane and seemingly first choice in the team now, Rose continues to show plenty of potential and could be well on his way to establishing himself as one of the best in the Premier League in the left-back position.
Aleksandar Kolarov (Manchester City)
Although not always a regular for Manchester City, Aleksandar Kolarov has shown plenty of reasons for him to earn his place among the best left-backs in the Premier League. The talented Serbian is a superb attacking outlet for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, and always provides a threat from set-pieces with his excellent delivery and technique with his left-foot. Although he faces stern competition from Gael Clichy for a starting place, he is arguably a player who deserves more playing time, and wouldn’t be out of place at a number of other top sides.
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
Another great option at left-back for Manchester City, Gael Clichy remains a highly reliable performer for the club and has been a top player in that position ever since first making his breakthrough at former club Arsenal as a youngster. Pacey and hard-working, Clichy is a solid defender even if he is somewhat lacking the end product upfront to make him a regular source of goals and assists in the way that his rival Kolarov is.
Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
A player who continues to improve, Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs has done brilliantly to hold off competition from last January’s signing, Spanish international left-back Nacho Monreal. The arrival from Malaga has hardly managed a run of games due to the fine form of Gibbs in that position, and an England call-up surely won’t be far away for the 24-year-old, whose technique and ability going forward gives him all the hallmarks of a great Arsenal player. A product of their youth academy, Gibbs is immensely popular with the club’s fans, and has put some injury problems behind him to develop into a fine player.
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Another product of Southampton’s excellent youth system, Luke Shaw continues to impress top clubs with his fantastic performances at left-back. Still only 18, the England Under-21 international has drawn comparisons with a young Gareth Bale, and could attract offers from Manchester United and Chelsea this January if he continues to put in consistent displays at the back, as well as great attacking play going forward. Shaw certainly looks like a player with potential to be a great for club and country for much of the next decade, though he is arguably already up there with the best left-backs in the Premier League.
Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
Although perhaps somewhat past his best, Patrice Evra is still a top player for Manchester United and one of the best left-backs in the Premier League for the last few years. The Frenchman has been crucial to United’s immense success and has a never-say-die attitude that makes him a great leader as well as a technically sound player. Manager David Moyes is supposedly chasing a new player to replace Evra at the moment, but the 32-year-old has done well to stake his claim for a place this season, with some strong displays even as he heads into the twilight of his career.
Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
A player who could quite reasonably claim to be the best left-back of the Premier League era, Ashley Cole is still high on the list of the best in the Premier League at the moment as he continues to be a key player for Chelsea. The 32-year-old started his career at Arsenal and impressed there as a youngster before being developed into a truly world class player. He has since made a controversial move to their rivals Chelsea and continued to enjoy great success in terms of his individual performances and impressive trophy haul. He has also joined an elite list of players in having over 100 caps for England.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
Although Cole is a Premier League legend, he is arguably second best to Everton’s Leighton Baines on current form. The Toffees left-back has been brilliant for the last few years and is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league from the back, with expert technique and delivery on his left foot. Manchester United were desperate to sign him this summer, though they could not meet Everton’s high valuation of the player. Baines has recently impressed for England as well, and Cole’s place in the side could be under threat ahead of next summer’s World Cup.