Feature

Who is the Premier League's best left-back?

18 Aug 2019

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With Ashley Cole joining Patrice Evra in retiring, vote on who was best out of them, Leighton Baines, Denis Irwin or Graeme Le Saux

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Two of the greatest left-backs to ever play in the Premier League have this summer announced their retirement from professional football.

On Sunday, three-time champion with Arsenal and Chelsea, Ashley Cole, revealed he has hung up his boots to focus on becoming a coach.

He follows Patrice Evra, who won five titles with Manchester United, but where do the two rank among the best left-backs in the competition?

We compare the 38-year-olds with three other players to have graced the position. 

You can vote on who is the best ever in the poll below.

Leighton Baines

Apps: 412. Goals: 32. Assists: 53. Clean sheets: 113. 

Baines' 340 top-flight appearances for Everton are just 12 short of Tim Howard's club record. His 53 assists are the most among those who have only played in defence, while his 32 goals are third among defenders. 

Ashley Cole

Apps: 385. Goals: 15. Assists: 31. Clean sheets: 147. Titles: 3.

Cole was a part of Arsenal's 2001/02 and 2003/04 title-winning teams before moving to Chelsea in 2006, where he won the league in 2009/10. He also triumphed in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final and won four FA Cups to add to the three he lifted with Arsenal.

Patrice Evra

Apps: 278. Goals: 7. Assists: 21. Clean sheets: 98. Titles: 5. 

The Frenchman won the Premier League in each of his first three full seasons at Man Utd (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09), before adding a further two as well as the UEFA Champions League.

Denis Irwin

Apps: 328. Goals: 18. Assists: 25. Clean sheets: 123. Titles: 7.

The Irishman has the most Premier League winners' medals of the five contenders, with seven in his 10 PL seasons at Man Utd. He scored in each of his first eight Premier League seasons, and helped United claim the league, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 1998/99.

Graeme Le Saux

Apps: 327. Goals: 12. Assists: 44. Clean sheets: 92. Titles: 1.

Le Saux lifted the Premier League Trophy at Blackburn Rovers either side of two spells at Chelsea, whom he helped to win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, FA Cup and EFL Cup. His 44 assists have only been beaten by Baines among those who have played solely in defence.

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