7 Best Left-Backs In the World 2022
The left-back position is one of the most important positions in football. In this article, we will look at the best left-backs in the world in 2022.
The primary role of a left-back in football is to defend and win balls from the opposition wingers.
However, in modern football, many left-backs often play very active roles in the attack, driving the ball forward and making crosses for attackers.
Many left-backs have impressed over the past year. A few have, however, distinguished themselves with noteworthy performances in various competitions. Here are the best left-backs in the world in 2022.
1. João Cancelo (Manchester City)
João Cancelo was once considered one of the best left-backs in the game, especially during his time in Turin with Italian Club Juventus.
Now with Manchester City, he’s kept up with the qualities that kept him at the top of his game and executes a more versatile role under Pep Guardiola.
The 28-year-old is a versatile, hardworking, technical, fast, and skillful full-back. He can play as a right-back but as a left-back under Pep Guardiola.
The Portugal International played 36 out of a possible 38 Premier League games last season, contributing one goal and seven assists.
2. Theo Hernández (AC Milan)
The Frenchman impressively rose to become one of the best left-backs in the world after his stellar display in AC Milan’s title-winning season.
As a modern-day full-back, Hernandez is able to time his forward runs well. However, his tactical prowess, positioning, and defensive skill make him impressive while defending.
Theo Hernandez scores goals aplenty considering his position, and has since scored 19 in 99 appearances for Italian club AC Milan.
In fact, his spectacular solo goal won the Serie A Goal of the Season award last season.
The UEFA Nations League winner already has a goal in the 2022/2023 Seria A season.
3. Marcos Acuña (Sevilla)
Marcos Acuña had 2266 minutes from 26 appearances in the La Liga last season and averages 1.6 tackles per match.
His playing strength is based on a more grounded play, but he is also good at crossing the ball into the opposition box.
Acuña isn’t one of the best in terms of a strong aerial presence defensively, but his tackling skill is very strong and can be a source of goal from dead balls.
He’s already started the 2022/2023 season strongly with 168 minutes and an average of 2.8 tackles in the 2 La Liga games he’s played.
4. Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Nuno Mendes is already making himself one to look out for after moving from Sporting Lisbon to PSG.
Since 2020 in Lisbon, the 20-year-old has made 40 appearances in all competitions.
He is a strong left-back known for his technical abilities, crossing, and speed.
However, he can be inconsistent with his defensive duties, but at 20, you would expect him to be better with age.
The Portuguese player has had to play as a wing-back under new PSG coach, Christophe Galtier. Nonetheless, he has been doing well in the left wing-back position.
5. Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Hardly would you talk about the best left-backs in the game that you won’t mention this Barcelona star.
Alba is technically swift in attack and can also play as a left-winger. His devastating speed helped him connect with attacks and recover during counterattacks.
In his early playing days, his defending was questionable, but at 33, Alba is now more well-rounded as a player.
He had ten assists and two goals in the La Liga last season.
6. Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Andrew Robertson may only have joined Liverpool in 2017 from Hull City.
Nevertheless, he has managed to cement his place as one of the best left-back in the world.
Needless to list, the trophies have been won with Liverpool in what has been a tremendous couple of years at Anfield stadium.
Since the 2017/2018 Premier League season, he has managed to register at least five assists in the Premier League, with the lowest being his first season at the club. Last season he contributed ten assists and three goals to Liverpool’s second-place finish.
7. David Raum (RB Leipzig)
One of the emerging left-backs from Germany is David Raum; the 24-year-old has been immense initially for Hoffenheim before moving to RB Leipzig.
He Is a versatile player who can also play in the midfield, and he contributed 14 goals for Hoffenheim last season with three goals and 11 assists.
He is a highly tenacious and combative player with immense technical quality.
Raum is still highly sought-after by many of the top football clubs in Europe because he was the potential to be one of the best left wing-backs in the world.
Honourable Mentions:
- Javi Galán (Celta Vigo)
- Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
- Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
- Benjamin Mendy (Real Madrid)
- Borna Sosa (VfB Stuttgart)
- Mario Rui (Napoli)
- Leonardo Spinazzola (AS Roma)
- Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal).
