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It doesn’t matter whether a team uses a wing-back system or a standard back four, there can be no denying that the position of left-back has become more important to sides in the Premier League over the last few seasons.
Whether they’re going on marauding runs down the left flank to set up crosses or shots, or delivering tough tackles and interceptions, the Premier League now plays host to some of the world’s best left-backs. Over 2018/19, the following 5 players have been particularly outstanding from the position.
Here are the 5 best left-backs from the 2018/19 Premier League season.
#5 Jose Holebas
Watford’s Jose Holebas might be 34 years old now – and is probably in the twilight of his career if we’re honest – but that hasn’t stopped the former Greek international from having a fantastic season under Javi Gracia at Vicarage Road. The Hornets ended the season in a respectable 11th position and reached the FA Cup final, and the performances of Holebas at left-back certainly contributed to that.
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Holebas played in 28 of Watford’s 38 Premier League games, and despite the presence of top-class creative midfielders like Will Hughes and Gerard Deulofeu in the Hornets’ squad, it was the left-back who jointly produced the most goals for his side, ending the season with an impressive 6 assists as well as 3 goals. He also had the highest average key passes for Gracia’s side, chipping in with 1.4 per game.
With some solid defensive statistics too – an average of 2.4 tackles and 2.9 clearances per game – and a cracking delivery from set-pieces, it’s no surprise that Holebas has developed into a key man for Watford. If he could sort his discipline – he was booked 12 times this season – he could easily be considered higher on this kind of ranking.
#4 Luke Shaw
Once considered somewhat of an outcast at Manchester United by former boss Jose Mourinho due to issues with his physical discipline, most notably his weight, 2018/19 has been a season of rejuvenation for Luke Shaw.
The England international has been one of United’s more reliable performers despite the Red Devils’ struggles, appearing in 29 of their league games, and he’s regained a lot of the hype he had around him when he first moved to Old Trafford from Southampton in 2014.
Always an excellent attacking full-back, Shaw was brought back into the England squad for September’s internationals and set up Marcus Rashford for his goal against Spain – a precursor to an excellent return when it comes to assists; Shaw delivered 4 this season, a career-best total for the former Southampton man, as well as scoring the Red Devils’ first goal of the season in their opening game against Leicester.
Shaw’s other stats were impressive, too; an average pass success rate of 83.3%, a total of 33 key passes across the season, and two Man of the Match awards from WhoScored.com. At just 23 years old Shaw is still only entering into his prime years, and that’s good news for United – who should have a top-level left-back in their side for many seasons to come.
#3 Ben Chilwell
Few players have come out of 2018/19 with their reputations enhanced more than Ben Chilwell of Leicester. The 22-year old has become a key player for the Foxes, appearing in 36 of their 38 games compared to 24 last season, and along the way, he’s also become the first-choice left-back for Gareth Southgate’s England side.
Hugely skilled both defensively and going forward, Chilwell epitomises the modern-day left-back. He’s strong in the air – winning an average of 3.1 aerial duels per game – and completed 55 successful tackles, 38 interceptions and 129 clearances this season, but he’s also dangerous in attack, with a total of 45 key passes – and has an amazing cross as well as dead-ball delivery.
At just 22 years old, Chilwell is likely to improve even further in the future; it’s hardly a surprise that sides like Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been linked with him. Now working under a well-renowned boss in Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium though, it’s likely Chilwell will stay at Leicester this summer – and continue to thrive in next season’s Premier League.
#2 Lucas Digne
Everton might’ve been a bit inconsistent across the season under new boss Marco Silva – although they ended 2018/19 on excellent form – but one player who certainly didn’t struggle for form throughout was their French left-back Lucas Digne. The 25-year old was practically an ever-present for the Toffees – making 35 appearances – and it’d be underselling him to say he’s been fantastic.
Digne excels at making dangerous, direct runs down the left flank – it’s no surprise to see that all 4 of his assists this term came directly from crosses – and he finished the season sitting at the top of the Everton squad list when it comes to key passes, averaging two per game. The Frenchman also chipped in with 4 goals, including an excellent one against Manchester United in April, a game that saw him named Man of the Match.
Despite being linked with a move to Tottenham this summer, most reports suggest that he’ll be sticking around at Goodison Park, which is good news for the Toffees fans who have become accustomed to seeing him dish out damage from the left side. Everton may have thought it’d be tricky to replace Leighton Baines, but thanks to Digne that job has been a lot easier.
#1 Andrew Robertson
It’s hardly a surprise that Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson would be considered the best left-back in the Premier League during 2018/19. The Scottish international had a strong season in 2017/18 after becoming used to boss Jurgen Klopp’s demands, but this season he’s been a revelation, becoming one of the key players for the Reds during their eventually unsuccessful title charge.
Only his right-sided equivalent Trent Alexander-Arnold created more goals for Liverpool this season; Robertson delivered 11 assists, Alexander-Arnold 12, but Robertson made more appearances with 36, showing how well-thought of he is at Anfield. The Scotsman also managed an excellent pass success rate of 83.2%, and completed a total of 51 key passes across the season too.
But attacking prowess is only one side of Robertson’s game; he also scores highly when it comes to defensive statistics and it’s hardly a surprise that Liverpool had the tightest defence in the whole league this season, conceding just 22 goals in their 38 games. Whether Robertson can keep up this kind of form going into 2019/20 is a question, but if he can he could well go down as one of the all-time greats at left-back.
