Some of the best left-wingers in the world belong to the Premier League.
Wingers are a quintessential part of most modern teams. Most teams today prefer to operate with a centre-forward who's supported by two wingers on either side. Modern wingers love to cut inside from the wing and shift the ball to their stronger foot before letting fly.
As such, wingers contribute a lot more in terms of goalscoring now than they used to when the tendency was to hug the touchline and whip in crosses. Wingers are usually the tricksters and speedsters of their teams given how they have to be adept at beating defenders and finding space.
Most European teams have world-class wingers on their sides. Without further ado, let's take a look at the top 5 left-wingers in the world right now.
#5 Lorenzo Insigne
Lorenzo Insigne has been one of the most consistent attackers in Europe in recent years. The diminutive Italian international loves to cut in from the left-wing and slalom past defenders. He also has a beautiful curler of a shot in his kitty.
Insigne has proven to be tactically astute and intelligent and has adapted to several managerial regimes during his time at Napoli. Insigne has scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions for both club and country this year.
He has scored all of those 13 goals for Napoli in the Serie A. Insigne is also a pretty good set-piece taker. The 29-year-old has spent the entirety of the last decade at Napoli and this has been his best season in terms of productivity since the 2016/17 campaign.
#4 Marcus Rashford
Manchester United man Marcus Rashford has steadily improved ever since breaking into the senior side as a teenager. The Englishman has gone from strength to strength and has become quite a presence both on and off the pitch.
Rashford has greatly improved his playmaking skills under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Add that to his blistering pace and incredible trickery and Rashford is a nightmare for defenders when he is on top of his game. His finishing can still improve but there's no denying the fact that he is one of Manchester United's best players right now.
Rashford has scored 19 goals and provided seven assists for both club and country across all competitions this term and he is certain to add to that by the time this season draws to a close.
#3 Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling continues to be one of the most vital cogs in Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. In the absence of Sergio Aguero, Manchester City have relied on Sterling for goals and he has delivered that too. He has not exactly been in prime form this season but he is still one of the best in the business.
Sterling always looks to cut inside and his silky feet enable him to step past defenders with ease. He has 15 goals and seven assists to his name from 43 appearances for both club and country this term. Even though his numbers are not exemplary, Sterling contributes immensely on the pitch.
He is a great passer of the ball and loves to play little give-and-gos in the final third and that's one of the ways in which Manchester City upend opposition defenses.
#2 Neymar Jr.
Neymar has missed the majority of the season through injury but whenever he has played for Paris Saint-Germain, he has been absolutely brilliant. He was the chief architect behind their qualification to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
The Brazilian has played just 19 games across all competitions this season but has contributed 13 goals and provided three assists as well. There is perhaps no one who is more skilful with the ball at his feet than Neymar. It's nearly impossible to shake him off the ball and he has compounded that with his vision and passing range.
Neymar was incredible in Paris Saint-Germain's run to the finals of the UEFA Champions League last term and is easily one of the best footballers in the world.
#1 Son Heung-Min
Tottenham Hotspur's season has gone off the rails in recent weeks but they started the 2020-21 campaign in electric fashion and that was, in no short part, thanks to Son Heung-Min's exploits alongside Harry Kane.
Son has blossomed into a world beater at Tottenham Hotspur and was one of their best players during the Mauricio Pochettino era as well. The South Korean international has contributed lavishly in terms of goals and assists and this season has been no different.
He has 16 goals and 10 assists from 35 appearances for both club and country this term and is a handful when he is on top of his game. Once he gets past defenders and turns on the afterburners, there is no catching him.
In addition to being tactically intelligent, the 28-year-old is also technically proficient. He has been the best left-winger this season.