The ten best full-backs in the Premier League this season.
Based on the scoring system used by Squawka, here are the ten best fullbacks of the 2013/14 Premier League season.
10. Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea
Games: 29
Mins: 2324
Defence: 486
Attack: -14
Poss: 19
Total: 491
The young Spaniard took advantage of Ashley Cole’s mid-season injury problems to make the left-back spot his own, even though he is traditionally a right sided player. He has since pushed the former England man to the verge of the exit door at Stamford Bridge, and provided the club don’t press ahead with signing another left-back this summer then he will likely be first choice again next season.
9. Luke Shaw – Southampton
Games: 35
Mins: 2990
Defence: 334
Attack: 263
Poss: -86
Total: 511
The 18-year-old showed exactly why he is being so sought after this summer thanks to a strong season as Southampton’s first choice option on the left side of defence. He has capped off his impressive year on the south coast with a seat on the plane to the World Cup this summer and it has been thoroughly deserved.
8. Joel Ward – Crystal Palace
Games: 36
Mins: 3240
Defence: 611
Attack: 152
Poss: -184
Total: 579
Ward may be considered as a surprise inclusion on this list, but as the stats show he has been in fine form for the south London side, especially after Tony Pulis was installed as manager midway through the campaign. Ward was a key figure in that late season survival push, and will be expected to go from strength to strength next term.
7. Pablo Zabaleta – Manchester City
Games: 35
Mins: 3080
Defence: 206
Attack: 214
Poss: 179
Total: 599
The Argentine is such a consistent performer for City that his hard work often goes unnoticed because he is not a flashy named star striker. But one thing is for sure; City would have fell behind in the title race had it not been for his dutiful balance of attack on defence on the right hand side.
6. Patrice Evra – Manchester United
Games: 33
Mins: 2880
Defence: 284
Attack: 225
Poss: 114
Total: 622
Despite him consistently being linked with a move away from the club this summer, the club would do well to think twice about offering him an extension on his current deal as he is still clearly capable of offering more to the their cause. United have been heavily linked with Luke Shaw during the transfer window, and there aren’t many better players that he could have looking out for him.
5. Aleksander Kolarov – Manchester City
Games: 30
Mins: 1981
Defence: 219
Attack: 330
Poss: 77
Total: 627
Kolarov is another player in the City squad that has done some significant good work without as many plaudits as others. He is also another player who has continuously been linked with a summer exit as Inter Milan are reportedly keen on taking him back to Italy, but City would be wise to hold on to him as he will surely get better over the coming years.
4. Bacary Sagna – Arsenal
Games: 35
Mins: 3059
Defence: 394
Attack: 157
Poss: 253
Total: 805
Sagna is on the verge of leaving the Gunners as the two parties cannot agree on suitable terms to keep him there. However, with form like this Arsene Wenger would be wise to shuffle the budgets to keep him at the club as he is one of the few players in the side to show any sort of long term consistency this season.
3. Leighton Baines – Everton
Games: 32
Mins: 2838
Defence: 334
Attack: 333
Poss: 155
Total: 822
England’s new first choice left-back has shown once again why he is so highly rated and just why Manchester United wanted him so desperately last summer. Earning top stats both in attack and defence, he has been well worth the heavy praise and the spot in the national set up, though the real test will come during this summer’s tournament.
2. Branislav Ivanovic – Chelsea
Games: 36
Mins: 3179
Defence: 388
Attack: 237
Poss: 214
Total: 839
The Serbian international has sent the majority of the season split between the right and centre of defence, but he has kept Cesar Azpilicueta on the left side at the expense of Ashley Cole.
1. Seamus Coleman – Everton
Games: 36
Mins: 3228
Defence: 406
Attack: 485
Poss: 262
Total: 1,153
The Irishman has been the surprise of Everton’s season under Roberto Martinez and has outperformed the much lauded Leighton Baines on the opposite side of the back line. He has chipped in with six goals this season and is now finally starting to live up to that enormous expectation that was placed on him during the early part of his career.