7 Greatest Premier League Left-Backs of All Time

[@txg399]

Ashley Cole at number one is probably the easiest decision you’ll have for this whole series.

[@jordanschlansky4093]

Ashley Cole more like Ashley GOAT

[@deadlybai345]

Irwin was far better . English bias

[@Simsimmer2000]

@@deadlybai345 Nah. Dutchman here. Cole is easily in the top ten in the world ever.

[@andrew7taylor]

@@deadlybai345 To say that Irwin was "far better" is evidence to your bias, not to everyone else's.

[@adamlennard1828]

Nah not a patch on Dennis Irwin.

[@The_TimeConsumer]

As soon as I saw this video I thought too myself "if you haven't included Dennis Irwin in this I'll be angry". You did. I think he's one of the most underrated players not just in Man Utd history, but in Premier League history. He was so highly regarded by Sir Alex, he said he's the only player guaranteed a place in an all time Utd XI. Incredible player who deserves more credit in my opinion.

[@MrGarrett]

Roy Keane also holds him in high esteem

[@harrynewstead8546]

Nothing against his talents but it’s easier to choose him over the other left backs at United

[@seandelap6268]

Possibly the most overlooked position in football when people think of defenders they automatically think of centre backs and forget about those 2 other players who help them out.

[@logiic8835]

CDM

[@mrsomeone846]

If this comment was posted 10-15 years ago, I’d 100% agree, but a lot of modern full-backs are quite lacking defensively…

[@mosalahmosalahrunningdownt5579]

@@mrsomeone846 like

[@diulikadikaday]

@@mrsomeone846, yeah, the game has changed. 15 years ago, the full back stayed back while the central midfielders (keane, gerrard, essien) bombed forwards in a box-to-box role. Now the full backs go forward while the central midfielders have become holding midfielders who sit back and come deep to pick up the ball (mctominay, Fabinho, Jorginho)

[@AdamT-mv3ok]

Nah, CDM's are hands down the most underrated players in football. Fullbacks get a lot more love because of their attacking play.

[@Nicksnix]

Hey Alfie, what about the 7 best utility players of all time? They never feature in any one of these lists but deserve some love ❤️

[@greenoist]

Milner #1

[@jbo4547]

Great idea

[@doc-t-8648]

good shout. this would be a great video

[@MusicHavenSG]

To be fair to Andy Robbo, he's perhaps one of the best if not the best bargains of all time. Already squared up and came up victorious against most if not all of today's most elite of the elite, Mbappe, Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland, Neymar, Suarez and Aguero, all for a cheap 8-9m ish. Fact that he is only 27 which means he should start to reach the peak of his powers and will have a lot more to give for around another decade.

[@jbo4547]

A decade? No. Another 5 years definitely

[@mosalahmosalahrunningdownt5579]

i think u mean half decade but ye

[@7HEA5HY1]

Hey Alfie, is there a way you could make a video about Diego Simeone, and how impactful he has been to Atletico Madrid? Since a majority of viewers from the UK put him in a bad light cause of his "defensive" play style, and most of your viewers are outside of Spain. I believe someone like you can change a couple of people's minds about the guy.

[@kieronparr3403]

I've never heard someone "put him in a bad light". Just state he's defensively minded

[@troublemaker1778]

@@kieronparr3403 I hear tons of people being unreasonably angry at him and his tactics

[@daarom3472]

@@troublemaker1778 he's not even that defensively minded anymore. Although that hasn't improved results...

[@troublemaker1778]

@@daarom3472 Yeah ik…

[@timsmith1323]

@@kieronparr3403 yeah same mate but hey it’s cool to slate the English now on line so it’s not to surprising

[@christerknutsen8031]

Ian Harte and Leighton Banes were 2 players heavily linked with moves to Man Utd on several occations. Both had great left foots and high work rate

[@andrew7taylor]

Both were also great set-piece takers and consequently scored a lot more goals and gave a lot more assists than most full backs.

[@SonnyK248]

Ian Harte was one of those early 2000’s Leeds players who looked like he’d become a top player but never did.

[@andrew7taylor]

@@SonnyK248 Well he was, you had to be pretty good to lock down a position for Leeds and Ireland for years at that time. But he didn't have great pace, without which there is no top attacking fullback.

[@SonnyK248]

@@andrew7taylor Did you have to be good to lock down a place back then? Was Lee Bowyer one of the best midfielders the Prem has ever seen? How about Erik Bakke? Their right backs were either Gary Kelly or Danny Mills. How far down the table would they be playing if they were in the league today? The league wasn’t a fraction as competitive as it is today. That Leeds team was playing Champions League football back then. Today it wouldn’t even be in the Europe League.

[@ericxpenner]

Le Saux isn't mentioned very often these days, but he was some footballer. Won a few cups at Chelsea in the late 90s as well.

[@ChaingunCassidy]

Can you do a deep dive into how Czechia and Slovakia have fared in football after Czechoslovakia split?

[@mikeoxlong246]

I love it how you're still sticking with our beloved EDFC. Come on you Mysterious Dwarfs! 💪

[@paulmeehan194]

Denis Irwin for me

[@rockyescape8989]

im an arsenal fan but i love baines. i always rated him ever since his days at wigan with bullard. he was exceptional throughout.

[@tiagooliveira6828]

Hey Alfie! Great video as always! I think you should consider making this series for more leagues. I know it wouldnt have as many views as the PL, but I think this kind of video in which you tell us about your opinions is honestly my favourite.

[@craigratio]

Robertson should be top 3.

[@yemmelaga7770]

Denis Irwin deserves nr1 in both the LB and RB positions imo

[@craignicholas4357]

I like Andy Robinson but I have a feeling that he was put in seventh so Alfie could talk about hull again 😂

[@Josh-pj7tq]

Is there ever going to be a series for the best players in each position for the entire history of English football? Would be hard to make but very entertaining imo.

[@pjkerrigan20]

This is Alfie we’re talking about, so half the inclusions would be like pre-World War II players who moonlighted as factory workers

[@dandurrant90]

This would be mine. Hard doing only 7 but as it is HITC Sevens: GK Schemichel Banks Shilton Jennings Cech Van der sar Clemence CB Moore Franklin Wright Ferdinand Campbell Terry Hansen RB Armfield Neal Neville Carey Walker Alexander-arnold Stevens LB Cole Hughes Hapgood Irwin Evra Wilson Byrne DM/CM Edwards Scholes Robson Gerrard Lampard Blanchflower Vieira AM Charlton Gascioigne De bruyne Hoddle Brady Haynes Alex james RW Best Matthews Ronaldo Finney Beckham Salah Meredith LW Giggs Hazard Bale Mane Barnes Alexis Sanchez Bastin SS/IF Bergkamp Cantona Dalglish Rooney Keegan Carter Mannion ST/CF Henry Greaves Charles Law Dixie Dean Shearer Van nistelrooy

[@Josh-pj7tq]

@@dandurrant90 Thats good selections tbf. Some I'd disagree with but can't really argue too much with that.

[@Josh-pj7tq]

@@dandurrant90 I'd probably put in Trautmann, Bell and Aguero for their respective positions but I am a city fan so maybe theres bias there. I dont think I'd put Mane and Sanchez there tho

[@franzreyes846]

@@Josh-pj7tq You're not biased, there's no world where Van Nistelrooy is above Aguero if we're talking about the English league.

[@Zakoid1]

Yeeees, great to see Andy Robertson get into the list. Of course it's up for debate, and being Scottish I'm biased, but there's no denying the guys quality and Klopp has really improved his game.

[@razza119]

You should divide the midfielder’s series like this CDM, CM, CAM LM, RM and then attackers as LW, RW, CF, ST

[@user-qd7nd8zm3v]

what’s the point of dividing lm’s and lw’s, what’s the point of splitting cf’s and st’s

[@koalaorange.]

The picture at 12:36 confuses the hell out of me, I can't figure out what mental formation England were playing that match, no recognised right back, 4 center midfielders and still having to fit Beckham and Joe Cole in there too, no wonder the golden generation failed when it seems like they tried to fit I'm every big name instead of actually having tactics

[@hyywe240]

4-5-1. Hargreaves is right back, Joe Cole on the left

[@hyywe240]

This is also why when people moan about southgate I sigh

[@esbenjakobsen4575]

As a Chelsea fan I would say that Ashley Cole is perhaps the only Chelsea player, who is a top 10 player of all time in his position. And obviously one of my personal favourite players of all time.

[@martintemelkov]

I don't think you hate Chelsea, but I am happy that Ashley got #1 here ;-) Great video, I think it's completely accurate.

[@jakebyronjones]

How on earth can you not give an honourable mention Andy Hinchcliffe! Wow!

[@WallieTheRed]

Agreed

[@Charliiiie]

Honestly I absolutly love this series and can't wait for the next video each & everytime ❤ keep it up Alfie 🙏🙏

[@zuzarbuz4785]

just love this channel

[@SonnyK248]

None of those guys would be as effective as Andy Robertson if they played in the PL today. Most of these guys were picked ahead of him because they were considered the best left backs of their era when fullback was arguably the least effective position on the pitch. Now it is arguably one of the most important positions on the pitch and Robertson is one of if not the best left back in the world.

[@MrKillers87]

Psycho should be in there without a doubt… 8 goals in the 94/95 season in an era where full backs rarely scored plus the impact he had on the national team.

[@adampark4238]

Stevie nicol a good shout as well probably similar to Stuart Pearce though his best came before the premier league started

[@areebsiddiqui758]

Hate that guy. Stealing a living doing "punditry".

[@adampark4238]

@@areebsiddiqui758 could be worse could be an oxygen thief

[@dinisfonseca6305]

Yes Cole was the best left back in the world for a number of years but so was Robertson,Robertson for 2 and Cole for 3

[@paulmcmorran7572]

Only left back a rated better than Cole was Carlos best left back off all Time

[@JingerJedi]

Think something like "best bench/back up players" would be a good list. A player who was still very good, just unlucky to have someone infront of him most of the time. Example here being Bridge with Cole

[@canarycatchup]

After you’ve finished Premier League, could you do a similar thing but for the 7 best players in each position for the World Cup ever?

[@mafiousbj]

8:46 I had totally forgotten Maxi Rodriguez played for Liverpool. What a player he was in Atlético Madrid!!

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

Dennis Irwin. Clearly.

[@balham5606]

Alfie Can you do a documentary on the afc Wimbledon on the nine promotions in eleven years, how they’re a fan own club and how they have a stadium in plough lane now. The story of they lost the club, how the F A allowed that and won’t allow that anymore. How they were very close to moving to ireland How they went up the English football leagues. It would be a good documentary video if you can do this. #thepeopleschannel

[@balham5606]

A question for Alfie to talk about can RED BULL own a club in England? It seems unlikely because of the rules They can name a club differently as they did with Leipzig?

[@maciejbala477]

maybe they can take over a club like Dagenham & Redbridge and name it RB Dagenham :p

[@jbo4547]

Or just take over a regular club and have the stadium, shirts, everything, red bull related

[@kmrkodro]

Everytime i hear Irwins name i think of Roy Keane saying He trained properly :)

[@frankunodostres473]

always good and refreshing to hear you say nice things about a chelsea player :D to be completely honest I think robertson is up there in terms of peak ability but I think he is too old to improve and won't overtake cole. also I've noticed world class left backs are really rare!

[@Banquet42]

Dennis Irwin better be in here somewhere....

[@seanupton709]

You made a point there that Cole is prob the only player in the list that was the best in the world at their position. I think there is also a fair shout for Robertson for that as well. Irwin and Evra, while unbelievable players, were possibly outclassed by other players on the continent although both were in contention imo

[@user-qd7nd8zm3v]

i agree but I think Robertson joins him on that list after Liverpool’s UCL season

[@FearlessGirlGamer]

Amazing videos

[@siddharthkhera7298]

You had Kolarov at 4th in Decade Top LB, ahead of Baines

[@g1lmk]

Longetivity I guess. Baines played over double the seasons than Kolarov in the PL.

[@daithaipeju3181]

Hey Alfie would you be interested in doing a pre Premier league greatest XI

[@masonstanley01]

I think in a few years Andy Robertson will be a lot higher up the list he is so good and very consistent tbf

[@james8194]

Feel like nostalgia goes a long way with how people determine quality.

[@bri1085]

@@james8194 yup

[@alzo1sgood]

Understand your ranking with Andy Robertson he is still young and currently one of the best left backs in the world. Hopefully in 10 years time our captain will be ranked as one of the greatest of all time.

[@zera8065]

Not likely.

[@jonnyar9793]

Its Irwin for me best left back and right back ✌️

[@liamparker6476]

Could you do more Where Are They Now videos?

[@eddyecko94]

If Cole wasn’t first I would’ve unsubscribed immediately.

[@RyuzakiTaiyou]

Best German players in the premier league of all time. (Day 271) I will not give up until the video is made or Alfie himself tells me to stop. Everyone else telling me that will be ignored. If you don't believe my number, just go back to the previous videos. I'm at the bottom most of the time, but I'm there.

[@kiravparbulall669]

Dope idea! Alfie could do a series like that

[@jamiesmith2184]

There was no possible way Ashley Cole wasn't going to be #1

[@barry4649]

Bit harsh on Robertson, I’d personally have him 3rd only behind Coke and Irwin tbh

[@zonetime9102]

some many good players in this category , but i think ashley cole is the best without a doubt in my mind

[@cal-efc8062]

As a Everton fan I adore Baines even though I was made up he stayed at us if he’d of went to Man U when they wanted him he’d be thought of a lot be than than he already is. What a player👌🏻

[@p_booth_fan]

Before I watch, if Denis Irwin doesn't get at least an honourable mention I'll be very disappointed. I'm ok with that. I feel like Irwin gets overlooked these days. Understandable given how long ago he was playing, but it's always great to see him getting acknowledged. He brought an relentless level of consistency to that United side and probably some patriotic hyperbole here, but Denis Irwin I feel is up there with the greatest left backs of his generation.

[@RJsModernLife]

Video idea: the newest club in each major top flight league and how they came to be/notable names/results etc Example: Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer

[@karnatakaball]

Can you do Cameroon XI if all eligible players joined?

[@kawhistraightface1462]

1. Denis Irwin 2. Ashley Cole Then the rest of them quite a distance off.

[@rohithraman6488]

"Arsenal have had outstanding left backs" yes who can forget absolute legends like Andre Santos and Armand Traore

[@adlalamb6229]

Haven’t watched the video yet but I’ll bet my entire bank account that Ashley Cole will be #1, as he should be!

[@FootballClubDavid_WI_USA]

Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs has one heck of a home shirt.

[@brzilac9889]

Winterburn, Baines and I share the same birth day, so I'm condemned to play at the left flank, even though I'm right footed 😂

[@duongnhdn]

13:18 one big reason for Cherryl to love him.

[@DomenBremecXCVI]

Day 2: While most of us probably hate the idea, in the endless pursuit of capital a European-wide league system will most likely be in place before 2050 either with the help of national FAs, UEFA, and FIFA or not. You could either have a look at ways to prevent that or think of a league system that could potentially work. (shortened the Day 1 idea after a request from a comment to do so)

[@d.n.tranger1457]

Are you going to do the greatest defensive midfielders soon? 🤔

[@duran9664]

Concelo is one of the top LB in the PL if not the one now.

[@matthewclark8449]

Can you make a video about Scotland and why all their best players are left backs, seems like your type of obscure

[@alyshakalyshak7458]

Love your voice

[@balham5606]

ANDREW ROBERTSON has played for your club Hull City and is a good Left Back for LFC. Liverpool signed him from HULL. 😊

[@timsmith1323]

He said as much in the video pal

[@balham5606]

@@timsmith1323 ANDY ROBERTSON IS A GOOD PLAYER

[@timsmith1323]

@@balham5606 yes I known he is I’m a LFC season ticket holder all I did was state he’d mentioned what you said in your text so it’s like your just stating something Alfie had already mentioned

[@gavinperry8433]

It's a miracle you finally recognized a Chelsea player.... Given how you always rate them low

[@mrsd8401]

Regarding Winterburn's professionalism, he stuck two fingers up to our disabled supporters. He wasn't particularly welcome at Stamford Bridge anyway, but that made him public enemy number one x

[@iamthemanwithnoname6140]

No love Jamaican superstar Ricardo Gardner? 11 years of Premier League football at a time when Bolton were actually good. 111 caps for Jamaica. Underrated.

[@tom_lon]

Only one left back for me, I LOVE DIS GAME

[@mrsomeone846]

Pointless vid, we all know top spot will be Cole or Irwin… Yet I still love it and all the vids on series like this!!! They helped me cure my porn addiction.

[@jackfield4903]

If Irwin was English he’d have been in 1st place

[@RoNAshkenazI782]

I think you should separate the midfield to three videos, defensive, central and attacking

[@archielong9523]

Probably worth noting that when Le Saux rejoined Chelsea they were no longer a mid table side

[@howjy0062]

What amazes me is irwin started out as a right back.

[@PrehistoricPro]

I love you Alfie, and you're usually absolutely spot on, but it's an absolute travesty that you put Nigel Winterburn on this list ahead of Stuart Pearce. Pearce won many England caps during the Prem era. Winterburn won 1 in his entire career. There's a reason for that. I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed.

[@niksv4165]

Day 354: Ways to fix VAR with your suggestions

[@stephenaneani1594]

Hey Alfie there’s another Ebusua. Dwarfs here in Ghana too😂

[@ibrahimhusmuh10]

For me it's Cole

[@foozballguy]

Honorable mention for Bale

[@stuartmurray9754]

I’ll beat Roy Keane is absolutely furious right now. Dennis Irwin only second… ?

[@joshpitman138]

Leighton Baines so underappreacted if had gone to a bigger team would of been the best lb in the league mark my words but we turned down a Tottenham bale swap deal and a Man Utd deal

[@dumbmutts.7758]

Gabriel Heinze was world class unfortunately due to injuries his game time was limited at Man United

[@bri1085]

Fergie should've let him go to Liverpool the mug

[@TheGrimmCommoner]

@@bri1085 But then he wouldn't have won the Premier League.

[@bri1085]

@@TheGrimmCommoner if he's been at Liverpool around 2009, he just might. That left flank was a problem for Liverpool that season

[@TheGrimmCommoner]

@@bri1085 Heinze went to Madrid in 2007 before the 07/08 season started. That was when Evra came in. United also got more money than what Liverpool would've offered and he also wouldn't sell them to a rival like them. United also still had Ronaldo until 2009 and made it to the Champions League final again that year, as well as winning the league. I still doubt Liverpool would've won the league in 2009.

[@tdyerwestfield]

No surprise Robertson is only 7th. The year Robertson got to a Champions League final, this channel didn't even rank him in the top 7 left backs of that year, putting Napoli's Ghoulam ahead of him, who did nothing that season of any note.

[@benwright7023]

Without watching the whole video yet, if Djimi Traore not no1 on this list, we should riot😜

[@andresyingwei7122]

No offense to english fans and viewers, but you can’t say that Ashely Cole was the best LB in 2005-06, by far it was Roberto Carlos (no south american bias).

[@Reorganiser]

9:20 Roy Keane's not going to be happy about this one ;D Bet he would've put him on any position of his eleven except midfield where Keane himself did just his job, which is what we can expect from a footballer Depressing who doesn't get this reference

[@DJMavis]

The only reason I dislike Ashley Cole is because I love Leighton Baines. But it's unarguable that Cole was so much better defensively, and 97% of the time was the best choice for England.

[@macaulaymcgregor768]

id would have mentioned tripper, even though he does play both left and right back and might not have won anything his class should be mentioned

[@clips9294]

I’m waiting for mid fielders. That will cause havoc

[@doctorcrankyflaps1724]

Why not do Top 10s?

[@swieri2003]

I’d swap the 1 with 2 but can’t argue otherwise, But nobody touches Maldini 🐐

[@zenithwanderer5437]

Robertson easy top 3. Nostalgia merchants

[@timsmith1323]

Not at this moment because he’s not played enough like Alfie said but he did also say he’d be top3 once his career come to a end and I’m saying this as a life long Liverpool fan and season ticket holder

[@valdringashi5858]

Baines in there despite never winning the Prem Hope this helps

[@semiretired86]

I disagree on Stuart Pearce actually he played almost the whole of his 24 year career in the top flight besides his first 5 years at Wealdstone (78-83) - a non league team and 10 of those years in the PL and 9 years in the top flight of the Football League

[@paulmartin3420]

How can you say Phil neville?

[@jameslancefield9810]

my two teams are chelsea and plymouth argyle and guess who are playing each other soon lol

[@niharg2011]

I think Robertson deserves top 4 given how the game as developed over the years and the quality of sports like Football just goes up with every passing generation. But then again I am born in 1998 and started watching Football in 2007 so I have very less idea about The 90s Hardman football.

[@yt.personal.identification]

He needs the longevity. That is the last requirement he needs. Oooooh Andy Andy

[@g1lmk]

@@yt.personal.identification true, there are many left backs that were left out and had more top class seasons in the PL, like Riise and Harte. Andy has the better peak, if he can maintain this level for a few more years he can make the top 3, he might even be no.1

[@neonyzr]

Make a "7 most unexpected relegations" e.g. Aston villa in 2016