Ranking the Top 10 best left-backs of 2022

These players have outshone their performance in the last year.

Nowadays, football has evolved into an overall game, meaning no one position is monotonous. Everybody is required in attacks, and everybody is required in defence, transforming the game into a true team sport. One of the key examples of these kinds of plays is the position of the left-back. Left backs, also known as full-backs, have evolved into an important position in the game of football.

They are known for their speed and defensive skills. Left backs play in their wings (left side) and are responsible for supporting the wingers and stopping the rival wingers too. They are given the responsibility of providing crosses and assists to the strikers and wingers in the opposition's box and running back immediately to stop the charging wingers and left-backs of the opposite side. As the involvement of left-backs increased in the game, so does their talent and numbers. Let’s look at the top 10 left-backs in the world in 2022.

10. Luke Shaw - Manchester United

Luke Shaw is currently one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and a constant starter for both Manchester United and the English National team. He is amazing with his tackles and also assists in attacks. The goal he scored in the EURO 2020 final is enough for justifying his attacking skills.

9. Marcos Acuna - Sevilla

Marcos Acuna truly shone during the World Cup in Qatar. He was an important pillar of the World Cup-winning Argentinian side. Acuna is an aggressive defender and can cause havoc in the opposition’s defence with his passing and dribbling. He has proved himself in club football as well with his club Sevilla.

8. Jose Gaya - Valencia

The Valencia captain is one of the best left-backs that La Liga has to offer. The 27 years old was part of the Spanish World Cup squad but was sent back before the group stage due to an injury. Gaya is known for his dominance of the left side and his consistency has earned him a good name. As a left-back, he has amazing attacking skills and is a constant threat to a rival’s defence.

7. Ferland Mendy - Real Madrid

The French international has been holding up the left-back post for Real Madrid since 2019. He was brought in from Lyon. Mendy was brought in as the replacement for the Real Madrid legend Marcelo. He is very tight in defence. He has won a Champions League and two La Liga titles with Los Blancos.

6. Alejandro Balde - FC Barcelona

The 19 years old Spanish left-back is seen as the replacement for long-term left-back Jordi Alba. The La Masia graduate has all the qualities to become one of the best left-backs in the world. He has amazing defensive skills which include excellent ball-recovering skills. He has the speed required to take on the upcoming attacks. His excellent passing and assisting skills have supported the team’s attack this season.

5. Ivan Perisic - Tottenham Hotspurs

Perisic had a good World Cup with Croatia, coming third in the competition. The 33 years old Croatian international is excellent in supporting thanks to his past winger experience. He can be lethal with his attacking runs, which was a concern for many teams in the World Cup in Qatar. He was an important part of the Inter Milan team which won the Serie A in 2021 and was also part of the Champions League-winning side Bayern Munich.

4. Alphonso Davies - Bayern Munich

Alphonso Davies is currently one of the best Canadian players in Europe. He has been phenomenal for the German Giant Bayern Munich. He led his national team to their first World Cup in Qatar since their last appearance in 1986 in Mexico. His performance in the World Cup attracted many big clubs. The 22 years old is fast and has the stamina to deal with both Defence and offence. Real Madrid is reportedly keen on signing him.

3. Nuno Mendes - Paris Saint-Germain

The Portuguese international has made his name in the French capital. He is fast and can dribble in the opposition’s box. He can wreak havoc with his link-up plays with the Parisians attacking trio. Mendes seems to have earned the confidence of his Coach Galtier. Mendes handling the left flank and Hakimi handling the right one is a deadly defensive combination for any team. PSG with such firepower in defence and offence are looking for their maiden Champions League title this year.

2. Andy Robertson - Liverpool

He is currently the best left-back that the Premier League has to offer. Robertson won the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool. He has amazing defensive abilities and is exceptional in attacks. His passing and crossing supplements the attacking power of the Reds. He has the pace to cover his whole flank and while his attacking skills are very accurate, he also manages to add value to the Liverpool defence.

1. Theo Hernandez - AC Milan

Theo Hernandez in his current form can be termed the best left-back in the world right now. Apart from his club success, the French international had an amazing World Cup tournament in Qatar this year. He was involved in pretty much everything on the pitch, be it scoring or defending or providing assists. He has also displayed his talents in club football with the Italian side AC Milan. Theo has strength, speed, stamina, and excellent dribbling and passing skills, everything that a left-back needs. He was an important part of the Serie A-winning AC Milan side.