The role of a left-back has never been more important and more technical than it is in the Premier League today. It requires some players to act as flying fullbacks in an attempt to become assist kings, whilst also asking others to step into midfield.
From a position which often failed to steal the headlines, the Premier League now boasts some of the best left-backs in world football. But who holds the throne as English football’s greatest current left-sided defender?
Ranking factors
To help rank the left-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:
- Current form – how well a player has been performing
- Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team
- Role – how unique their skillset is
- Reputation – what others are saying about them
10
Antonee Robinson
It was a difficult season for Antonee Robinson in the 25/26 campaign. The Fulham man missed 14 games through injury and only found his form towards the latter stages. However, it is worth remembering the reason why he was linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United at one stage.
The American is the pure definition of a flying fullback and remains one of the quickest players in the Premier League. When fit, not many come close in terms of impressive left-backs.
9
Adrien Truffert
Adrien Truffert had a tough task when he arrived at Bournemouth in the summer of 2025. Replacing Milos Kerkez was never going to be an easy task, but he made it look simple.
As far as debut seasons go, his ranks with the best that the Premier League saw last season. The Bournemouth man made more recoveries, more tackles and won more duels than any other fullback in England’s top flight. It was a dominant campaign from start to finish.
Most tackles won in the Premier League 25/26 (fullbacks) | |
|---|---|
Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth) | 103 |
Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) | 82 |
Pedro Porro (Tottenham) | 72 |
Michael Kayode (Brentford) | 68 |
Matty Cash (Aston Villa) | 67 |
8
Tyrick Mitchell
There were shouts for Tyrick Mitchell to be called up to England’s World Cup squad when their fullback crisis emerged, and rightly so. The left-back is more consistent than anyone at Crystal Palace and is now a European winner.
The Palace star seems destined to remain underrated even after playing such a large part in his side’s success in the last two seasons. He can certainly say that he’s one of the best in his position in the Premier League, however.
Tyrick Mitchell: Major titles won | |
|---|---|
Trophy | Years won |
Europa Conference League | 2025/26 |
Community Shield | 2025/26 |
FA Cup | 2024/25 |
7
Luke Shaw
Manchester United would have been disappointed to go without European football last season, but no one benefited more than Luke Shaw. The left-back was finally free from his injury struggles and only seven defenders played more minutes in the Premier League.
Managing the workload of domestic football and the Premier League won’t be as routine. However, it has become clear that Shaw is one of the most reliable left-backs in England when fit. As far as he and Man United are concerned, long may his resurgence continue.
6
Milos Kerkez
It wasn’t an easy first season for Milos Kerkez at Liverpool, far from it. The Hungary international was initially asked to play an inverted role rather than the modern-day attacking fullback position that he became used to under Andoni Iraola. That was quickly scrapped and he soon found his feet.
Now, with Iraola at Anfield, Kerkez is destined to find his best form and keep his place as one of the best left-backs that the Premier League has to offer.
5
Nico Williams
Many had Neco Williams down as Nottingham Forest’s player of the season in the last campaign and that came at the same time as Elliot Anderson’s excellent form.
Whether it’s right-back or, as it was last season, at left-back, the Welshman continues to perform. Under Oliver Glasner, he will no doubt continue to be one of the most important players at the City Ground.
4
Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapie may not have expected to play left-back in his first season at Arsenal, but once he was there, he made the position his own. He is the perfect example of how Mikel Arteta likes his fullbacks to play, having converted previous centre-backs into fullbacks throughout his tenure.
The South American kept Myles Lewis-Skelly out of the side and looks to have nailed down his place as Arsenal’s best left-back after arriving on a permanent basis.
Piero Hincapie: Major titles won | |
|---|---|
Trophy | Years won |
Premier League | 2025/26 |
German Super Cup | 2024/25 |
German Cup | 2023/24 |
Bundesliga | 2023/24 |
Copa Sudamericana | 2018/29 |
3
Lewis Hall
Out of all the England omissions at the 2026 World Cup, Lewis Hall’s was the harshest. In amongst a difficult season for all involved at Newcastle United, there was a left-back at the top of his game, who silenced Lamine Yamal from open play at St James’ Park.
A late season fall-out with former manager Eddie Howe cost him his place in the end, but Hall looks destined to remain one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.
Only five fullbacks made more recoveries than Hall last season and that was all whilst playing in an underperforming side.
2
Josko Gvardiol
Josko Gvardiol truly is a master of all trades. The Manchester City man is an excellent left-back and one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
Before his injury woes, the Croatian thrived down the left-hand side, often providing an unexpected goalscoring threat. In a new era which features several towering fullbacks, he is one of the leading stars.
Add on the fact that he’s already won some impressive honours at the Etihad and there’s no doubt that he could eventually take his place in history.
Josko Gvardiol: Major titles won | |
|---|---|
Trophy | Years won |
Premier League | 2023/24 |
FA Cup | 2025/26 |
UEFA Super Cup | 2023/24 |
German Cup | 2022/23, 2021/22 |
Club World Cup | 2024 |
League Cup | 2025/26 |
Community Shield | 2024/25 |
HNL | 2019/20, 2020/2021 |
HNL Super Cup | 2019/20 |
1
Nico O’Reilly
The rise of Nico O’Reilly has been sensational to watch. From Man City’s academy to their starting left-back and an England star, he has done it all in the last 12 months.
Some players would be phased by such a sudden rise, but the truly special stars emerge when they simply ease through life at the top. O’Reilly is one of those players.
He can be summed up by his performance in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, when he scored two goals to take Man City to victory. At such a young age, he is a big-game player.
Top 20 left-backs in the Premier League | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Player | Club | Nation |
1 | Nico O’Reilly | Man City | England |
2 | Josko Gvardiol | Man City | Croatia |
3 | Lewis Hall | Newcastle | England |
4 | Piero Hincapie | Arsenal | Colombia |
5 | Neco Williams | Nottingham Forest | Wales |
6 | Milos Kerkez | Liverpool | Hungary |
7 | Luke Shaw | Man United | England |
8 | Tyrick Mitchell | Crystal Palace | England |
9 | Adrien Truffert | Bournemouth | France |
10 | Antonee Robinson | Fulham | USA |
11 | Gabriel Gudmundsson | Leeds | Sweden |
12 | Rico Henry | Brentford | Jamaica |
13 | Ferdi Kadioglu | Brighton | Turkey |
14 | Andy Robertson | Tottenham | Scotland |
15 | Pep Chavarria | Chelsea | Spain |
16 | Destiny Udogie | Tottenham | Italy |
17 | Myles Lewis-Skelly | Arsenal | England |
18 | Vitaly Mykolenko | Everton | Ukraine |
19 | Ian Maatsen | Aston Villa | Netherlands |
20 | Leif Davis | Ipswich Town | England |
