5 best left-footed players in Premier League history

A handful of world-class left-footed players have graced the Premier League over the years

#3 Mohamed Salah

Much has been written about Mohamed Salah since his transfer to Premier League giants Liverpool in 2017. While the Egyptian has scored goal after goal, he still receives plenty of flak for either being selfish or not scoring against big sides.

Salah, however, has routinely proved his critics wrong. Originally signed by Chelsea from FC Basel in 2014, Salah featured very sparingly for the Blues. He was on the Premier League club's books until 2016, but made just 19 appearances for Chelsea, recording two goals and four assists.

Consequently, many believed Salah would not survive the physicality and pace of the Premier League. However, the winger broke that perception in his very first season with Liverpool. He burst into life in the 2017-18 campaign, netting 32 goals in 36 Premier League games. He ended the season with 44 goals and 16 assists in 52 matches. The Reds finished within the top four of the league and made it to the Champions League final.

The years since have seen a reduction in his goal output, but Salah has continued to have some prolific seasons regardless. On the whole, his Liverpool tally stands at 130 goals from 209 appearances, and he also has 49 assists to go with it. The Egyptian recently became the fifth-fastest player to breach the 100-goal mark in the Premier League as well.

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Salah also played a starring role in Liverpool's 2018-19 Champions League and 2019-20 Premier League victories. Still only 29, the English top-flight could see him break numerous records before his time in the country comes to an end.

#2 David Silva

One of the greatest creative midfielders of the 21st century, David Silva makes this list with relative ease. The Spaniard has had a club journey many would envy. He was one of the driving forces, alongside Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, for Manchester City's success in the last decade.

Signed by the Cityzens in 2010 from Valencia, Silva quickly became the focal point of his new side's midfield. The little magician, with a wand for a left foot, contributed 15 assists in his very first season for Manchester City in addition to scoring six goals. Silva quickly took to life in the Premier League and improved his assist tally to 21 the following season.

On the whole, the midfielder managed 141 assists and 77 goals in 436 matches for City in addition to winning plenty of silverware before leaving the club in 2020. Silva collected four Premier League trophies, two FA Cups and five EFL Cups with the club.

Though City's domestic dominance never grew into European glory, the Spaniard got them a decent 10 goals and 16 assists in 67 matches across European competitions

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#1 Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs is be a prime candidate for the greatest Premier League player of all time, let alone the greatest left-footed one. The Welshman was pivotal to Manchester United's dominance in the Premier League era.

Giggs, a member of the Red Devils' famous "Class of '92," made his debut for the club in 1991. The returns in his first season were modest as he scored four goals and assisted once in 28 matches. However, his manner of playing and dedication to the cause won him several laurels.

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The Welsh winger quickly grew to prominence in United's first eleven and enjoyed a staggering 23-year career with the first team. Giggs' trophy haul over that period is mind-boggling and almost unimaginable for most players. He won 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and nine Community Shields domestically.

In Europe, Giggs played a starring role in the Red Devils' success in the 1999 and 2008 Champions Leagues. He also won an Intercontinental Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and a Club World Cup. By the time Giggs hung up his boots, he had played a scarcely believable 932 matches for United, scoring 163 goals and providing 250 assists.

Edited by Sandeep Banerjee