Earlier in the week my co-writer here at TIBS News, Jack Griffiths, gave us his top ten premier league central midfielders.
In a week that has seen Ashley Cole become the latest Englishman to earn 100 caps; it seems only right to compile a similar list for the Premier League’s top ten left backs.
So here we are, its TIBS News’ top ten Premier League left backs:
10 – Leighton Baines (Wigan & Everton)
Why so low I hear you cry! The Everton left back has been at the top of his game for a couple of years now and is seriously pushing the previously unchallenged Ashley Cole for his England spot.
His dead ball deliveries are a work of art and if he’s not whipping the ball in for others the scouse superstar is simply smashing them home himself.
The only reason he is so far down in our list is simply for the fact that he is lacking in personal honours, of course there’s plenty of time for that to change.
9 – Graeme Le Saux (Chelsea, Blackburn & Southampton)
It would be easy to overlook someone as quiet as unassuming as Graeme Le Saux. That said it would also be very disrespectful.
The Jersey born wing-back played for Chelsea in two spells between 1989 and 2003 but also sandwiched in a four-year spell at Blackburn Rovers where he won the Premier League under Kenny Dalglish.
Although he suffered relegation with Southampton in 2005, there sheer fact that he is a winner of the coveted league title means that Graeme Le Saux simply had to make the ten.
8 – Gael Clichy (Arsenal & Manchester City)
A product of Arsene Wenger’s much heralded scouting system, Clichy made his Premier League debut for Arsenal in late 2003 against Birmingham City as part of the squad that would go on to be dubbed ‘the invincibles’.
Clichy left the gunners to join title rivals Manchester City in the summer of 2011, going on to win the league title in his first season with the Eastlands club and, as Wenger predicted, has become one of the finest full-backs of his generation.
7 – Ian Harte (Leeds United & Reading)
Back when the glory days seemed set to roll at Elland road, the Leeds left hand side was a serious force to reckoned with.
Harry Kewell was a youthful; flying winger with the world at his feet but behind him was an equally exciting attacking quantity in Ian Harte.
Famed for his wonderful ability to produce astoundingly accurate set pieces, the Irishman is now back in the top league doing the business for Reading.
6 – Nigel Winterburn (Arsenal & West Ham)
Winterburn was part of the famed gunners defence that inspired the chant ‘one-nil to the Arsenal’.
Playing alongside greats such as Tony Adams and Martin Keown, Winterburn was a key member of a compact, tight-knit back four.
After a career, which spanned 13 years at Highbury and various medals, he moved to West Ham in 2000 to see out the remainder of his playing days.
5 – Stuart Pearce (Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United & West Ham)
We arrive at the midway point of our countdown now and in at five is Stuart Pearce.
Pearce had a reputation for being fiercely competitive in battle and it was this edge that saw him dubbed ‘Psycho’ by his followers.
One of the best defenders of his generation the no-nonsense Pearce finds himself at the halfway stage of the countdown.
4 – John Arne Riise (Liverpool & Fulham)
A Champions League winner with Liverpool, the Norwegian joined the reds from Monaco in the summer of 2001. His solid defensive play coupled with his blistering left foot made him an instant hit at Anfield.
His goal against Manchester United in his debut season with the merseysiders made him an cult hero and his trademark long range efforts would become commonplace.
Now back in the Premier League with west Londoners Fulham after a short stint away in Italy with Roma, John Arne Riise is in at number four.
3 – Dennis Irwin (Manchester United & Wolves)
A legend at Old Trafford, Irwin was one of the most consistent performers that Sir Alex Ferguson will have seen in all his years in charge.
Irwin won a massive seven titles in his twelve years at the red devils whilst also gaining a reputation as something of a penalty specialist.
The Irishman also represented Wolverhampton Wanderers for two years towards the end of his playing days suffered relegation with the midlanders, a single blot on an otherwise exceptional copybook.
2 – Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
When the little Frenchman joined Manchester United’s ranks in January of 2006 the left back had been something of an enigma to boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot had struggled to fill the position since the departure of Dennis Irwin to Wolves in 2002, often playing ‘square pegs in round holes’ to get by.
There have been no such problems since Evra signed though and he has been a permanent fixture throughout the last seven years, during which United have achieved constant success.
1 – Ashley Cole (Arsenal & Chelsea)
Often maligned by the media for his off-field actions, but there can be no doubt that Ashley Cole has been a fantastic player on it.
Cole made his debut at the age of just 18 and has gone on to win three Premier League titles in his time with both Arsenal and more recently, Chelsea in career that has spanned almost fifteen years.
The full back was awarded his 100th England international cap when they took on Brazil on Wednesday evening, but here at TIBS News we’re sure he’ll be just as delighted to discover he’s our number one Premier League left back of all time!
So there you have it, TIBS News’ top ten left backs in Premier League history.
Please feel free to comment below with your own opinions/suggestions, as always we’re happy to hear from you!
By Jack Murphy
Twitter: @J_Murphy91
Image of Ashley Cole Provided by Ben Sutherland on Flickr
Image of Leighton Baines Provided by DBarefoot on Flickr
Image of Gael Clichy Provided by Ronnie Macdonald on Flickr
Image of Patrice Evra Provided by nasmac on Flickr
