Full-backs need to contribute both in attack as well as defense, making it a tricky position to play at. Thus making it to the top-five full-backs in the world itself is a tough, tough job. And being counted among the best right-backs or left-backs is an even more impressive feat.
In this article, we will look at the five best left-backs in the world based on WhoScored ratings. The ratings take into account each player’s current form and his performance over the course of the ongoing season.
So without further ado, here are the five best left-backs in the world right now based on ratings:
Note: Only players who have played more than five league matches have been included on this list
#5 Mario Rui (7.18)
The Napoli left-back is the fifth best player in the position in the world currently based on WhoScored ratings. The Portuguese has started all 12 Serie A encounters for the Partenopei this season, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
Napoli’s backline has been airtight this season, conceding just four goals in Serie A, seven fewer than the second-best defensive side in the league - Milan. They also lead the league table, and Rui has had to play an important part in their run so far. Only two players on this list have made more successful tackles per match than the Portuguese.
The 30-year-old has made two assists as well, and will hope to continue in a similar fashion as Napoli search for their first league title in 31 years.
#4 Raphael Guerreiro (7.22)
One of the best attacking full-backs in the sport currently, Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro is currently the fourth-best left-back in the world based on WhoScored ratings. Though the Portuguese international has missed the last few weeks to injury, his brilliant start to the season has kept him in the top five.
In six Bundesliga appearances, Guerreiro has scored three goals. Though he is yet to register an assist, if last season’s tally of 11 is anything to go by, it won’t be long before he starts churning them out. The 27-year-old is expected to return to action later this month.
On this list, Guerreiro makes the most key passes per match with 2.2, and is third among all left-backs in Europe’s top-five leagues.
#3 Joao Cancelo (7.33)
Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo improved his ratings with a stellar performance against Manchester United in a 2-0 win for his side. The man-of-the-match outing made him the current third-best left-back in the world based on WhoScored ratings.
Cancelo has already racked up two goals and three assists in the Champions League and two assists in the Premier League. The Portuguese has been defensively sound as well, making 2.3 successful tackles per match on average - the highest on this list.
Cancelo has so far blocked 0.3 crosses per match and 0.9 passes, highlighting his importance to Pep Guardiola’s side’s backline. Cancelo is also good on the ball, seamlessly fitting into Guardiola’s style of play since his arrival from Juventus in 2019.
#2 Marcos Alonso (7.47)
Marcos Alonso hasn’t been a permanent fixture in Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea starting line-up this season, but has still managed to emerge as the second-best left-back based on WhoScored ratings. Ben Chilwell’s form upon being reinstated into the side has further limited Alonso’s gametime.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard has an assist and a goal to his name in six Premier League matches. Alonso has been good defensively, blocking an average 1.2 passes per game, the most on this list.
He has always been a big contributor on the offensive front for the Blues. He has made two key passes per game on average, only second to Raphael Gurreiro on this list. The 30-year-old could have had even more assists to his name had his passes been converted into goals by his team-mates.
#1 Alphonso Davies (7.59)
The best left-back in the world currently based on WhoScored ratings is Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies. The 21-year-old Canada international, known for his blistering pace down the wing, has registered four assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances so far.
Davies has started all but one of Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga matches this season, highlighting his importance to the Bavarian giants. He has so far made 19 key passes this season, more than any other player on this list, four of which have resulted in assists.
The left-back has attempted 26 tackles this season, 17 of which have been successful. Davies mainly depends on his pace and dribbling skills to carry the ball forward, which makes him a tough player to handle for opposition defenses.
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