EPL Talk Player Profile: The Search for the Leagues Best Left Back
As important to a sides balance attacking and defending as the right back is, so too is his not so distant cousin, the marauding (at times) left back. If you missed Football Formations 101 in school,just keep in mind that whatthe right backdoes in regards to his footballing duties, the left backmirrors on the opposite flank. A good left back can add dimensions to a sides options while a world classone can turn those options into domination. Equal parts runner, defender, attacker and supporter, the modern day left back like that of his right back brethren remains an integral piece to the starting XI.
To define its importance, even some of the better left backs in history could barely lace the boots of thebest,while the forgettable, well, theres a reason why memory fails to recapture their footballing exploits. But the legends of the position without a doubt include Denis Irwin of the Manchester United sides of the 90s, Bixente Lizarazu of France, Bordeaux and Bayern Munich, Germanys Paul Breitner, Roberto Carlos of Brazil and some guy named Paolo Maldini.
As the position pertains to the Premier League, there are currently a few of the worlds best atleft backearning a living in England. While the cream of the crop apply their trade in the Premier League in almost every position, its not the upper echelon of footballers Im overtly concerned with. Its the depth chart, or lack thereof,of Premier League left backs Id like to see improve over the next few seasons as the positions importance continues to evolve.
As Gameweek 6 of the Premier League thrilled and entertained! us all, the following twenty players started for their respective clubs at left back.
Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Nicky Shorey (West Brom), Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham City), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan), Gael Givet (Blackburn), Stephen Crainey (Blackpool), Carlos Salcido (Fulham), Leighton Baines (Everton), Paul Koncheskey (Liverpool), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Paul Robinson (Bolton), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Jose Enrique (Newcastle) and Danny Collins (Stoke City).
Authors Note: In my opinion, Gareth Bale is best as a left sided attacking midfielder or winger. For the sake of this analysis, he wont be considered as one of the leagues best left backs, but will appear in future Player Profile posts featuring wingers.
The Obvious
Aswe saw with the look atright backs last week, the traditionally bigger English clubs have secureda fewof the best in the world currently at the position. Specifically, Chelsea and Manchester United who employ (and deploy for that matter) Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra, respectively. Ashley Cole embodies the modern day left back. Hes as fit as they come, a precise defender with pace, a skilled player on the ball and a good enough attacking option down the left. Uniteds Evra is similar.
Although at times not as sharp in attack as rival Cole, Evras experience as a defender, footballing smarts (Cole nor Evra get caught out in defense they way The Obvious picks for right back sometimes do Liverpools Glen Johnson and Manchester Citys Micah Richards) and abilities to conduct those intelligent overlapping runs has solidified his spot as one of the worlds most effective.
The Solid
How good has Leighton Baines been for Everton recently? Although the club seem to be in the midst of a mini crisis, Baines continues to deliver solid performances for! the Tof fees. A local lad from Merseyside, Baines made his way to the Premier League via Wigan in 2004-05. Having impressedfor the Laticswhile catching David Moyes eye, Baines secured regular first team football with Everton in 2007. Hes a fringe England player because of the depth at the position with Cole, Wayne Bridge and Stephen Warnock,but Baines possesses all the abilities needed to thrive at left back in the Premier League.
Speaking of, Aston Villas Stephen Warnock was the player who kept Baines out of the England squad that traveled to South Africa this past summer. Warnock and Baines are similar type left backs while they also face competition in this category from Arsenals Gael Clichy. Clichy has arguably taken a step backwards in the last year or so as his once blistering Premier League form for the Gunners was halted by injury. Slowlygetting back to his best, Clichywill likely emerge as one of the Leagues most experiencedleft backs.
The In and Out and Bits and Pieces
Manchester Citys Wayne Bridge is a former international level left back yet his recent struggles with fitness, off the field distractions, international retirementand competition in front of him at City have put him on the fringe. Bridge can get caught defensively while he can still produce a trick or two in attack. Hell need a good run of first team football with good results to realistically be considered as the leagues best, an eventual fate hes not likely to see.
Liverpools Daniel Agger and Paul Koncheskey (who seems to hobble off the pitch every weekend) are decent enough defenders while their blistering pace and attacking prowess will never be what theyre known for. Still, Koncheskey can be a brilliant defender and like John OShea from the right back comparison, knows his limitations and strengths as a footballer.
Youve not forgotten Maynor Figueroas goal v Stoke City from last year have you? The Honduran left back for Wigan produced one of those unforgettable moments in the Premier L! eague wh en he launched a 50 yard strike from his own half into poor, unsuspecting Thomas Sorensens goal. It was a brilliant moment for Figueroa whos known for his powerful left foot and set piece abilities. Gifted with pace and power, Figueroa is a solid shout.
Lastly, Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been good for Spurs this season assupport for the aforementioned Gareth Bale. The Cameroon international was Spurs most improved player in 2008-09 (still deciding if thats a distinguished title to hold) while he continues to hold down the left back spot most weekends. Challenged for left back by Bale untilthe Welshmanso vigorously claimed the left-sided midfield spot and made it his own, Assou-Ekotto is an attack-minded full back with pace to burn.
The Premier League boasts arguably the worlds best left back in Ashley Cole while its yet to be knownwho will emerge to replace him in the coming years, if anyone. The full back position, whether at left or right, remains a vital component to a starting XI regardless of the formation the manager has implemented. His ability to support attacks, create width and defend makes his services rendered worth the price of admission.
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