Left back: Leighton Baines
Everton stalwart Leighton Baines started his career as a left winger in youth football, before Wigan manager Roberto Martinez converted him into a left-back, where he played for them for five years between 2002 and 2007. Similarly to Azpilicueta, Baines is an extremely dependable player, but unlike the Spaniard, is far more of a threat going forward.
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Baines' defensive numbers are more than commendable, as he averages more than 2.2 tackles per game at a 78.3% success rate, as well as 1.5 interceptions. He has played every minute of a Premier League campaign twice in this decade alone, in 2010/11 and 2012/13, putting up strong numbers in both seasons, as well as registering an 85% tackle success rate in the intervening season, 2011/12.
However, Baines is able to showcase his full range when going forward. Often bombing up and down the left flank for Everton, he has averaged 1.9 key passes(passes leading to a shot) per game over the last 9 seasons. He is also an adept taker of penalties and set-pieces, and has scored 27 goals in 250 league appearances this decade. He also averages 0.65 dribbles per game, an impressive statistic for a defender. The 30-capped Englishman also holds the Premier League record for the most assists by a defender, with 33.
Now at the age of 34, Baines' career is slowing down, and he is being phased out of the Everton team bit by bit. However, there can be no doubting that he is one of the best left-backs the league has ever seen.
