Left-footed center-backs are highly sought after in the football world for several reasons. Firstly, their left foot adds balance and flexibility to the team's defensive scheme, providing the ability to distribute the ball comfortably to both sides of the field. This asymmetry can catch opponents off guard and help create tactical advantages. Left-footed center-backs also contribute to the aesthetic aspect of ball distribution, offering unique perspectives and passing options. Today, let's take a look at Wintips "Top 10 Left footed centre backs" right after this.
Top 10 best left footed centre backs in football today
1. Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
Josko Gvardiol, aged just 21, has shown remarkable form. He first caught attention with an impressive display for the Croatian national team at the FIFA World Cup 2022. Gvardiol has had some outstanding performances and has been praised for his composure, ball-playing ability, and progression.
Manchester City has approached him and spent up to 90 million euros to secure his services this summer. Although primarily playing at left-back, Gvardiol has mostly been deployed at center-back this season. He occasionally encounters some difficulties, but for the most part, he is a reliable presence in defense for Pep Guardiola's team.
2. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) - Left footed centre backs
Premier League fans were alarmed when Mikel Arteta decided to bench Gabriel Magalhaes in the early weeks of the new season. After all, the Brazilian defender was one of the standout performers in the league last season. However, all the speculation about real discord between player and manager was quickly quashed as Magalhaes returned to the starting lineup shortly after.
He has since become a stalwart in defense and has performed admirably for the Gunners up to this point in the season. The 25-year-old is part of one of the best center-back duos in the Premier League alongside William Saliba. Not only does he add dynamism to the backline thanks to his left-footedness, but he is also a major threat from set pieces thanks to his aerial combat ability.
3. Pau Torres (Aston Villa) - Left footed centre backs
Aston Villa has been one of the most impressive teams in the Premier League this season. They currently sit third in the Premier League table after 15 matches and have had some players stepping up in the early stages of the new campaign. Pau Torres is considered their standout defender thus far in this tenure.
The excellent ball-playing qualities of the 26-year-old player have added a new dimension to Villa's playing style. He has proven to be quite resilient under pressure, and most of Villa's attacks seem to originate from him. Torres is also defensively solid and is currently one of the standout players in the Premier League.
4. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
Former Juventus captain and Italian national team player Giorgio Chiellini has lavished praise on his compatriot Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan in an interview with The Athletic. He said: "He's very different from me, but he has enormous potential. Technically, I would compare him to Bonucci. A bit different, but he resembles us. He could be among the top five defenders in the world."
Bastoni is considered by many as the heir to Chiellini and has been a pillar in Inter Milan's defense for several years now. The 24-year-old player is a physically imposing defender with excellent technical qualities, making him a crucial cog as Inter build from the back.
5. David Alaba (Real Madrid) - Left footed centre backs
David Alaba is one of the most versatile and technically gifted defenders on the planet. He has had a illustrious career and has been solid in defense for Real Madrid until the 2023-24 season. The Austrian icon is comfortable on the ball and possesses elite ball-playing abilities.
Alaba is also a very mature defender, and his ability to stay composed in difficult situations is always crucial in his matches. The 31-year-old player is an excellent center-back and a leader both at club and national team level. He has the ability to play in a variety of positions on the defensive end, also known for his ability to adjust the game through leadership.
6. Milan Škriniar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Škriniar is currently playing for PSG in Ligue 1 and is one of the top center-backs in the league. With an impressive height (around 1.88m), Škriniar can excel in aerial duels, gaining an advantage in aerial battles.
He is also very intelligent in reading the game, making strategic decisions. Particularly, Škriniar has the ability to distribute the ball accurately from the back. This helps PSG initiate smooth attacking moves and maintain a high level of organization.
7. Raphael Varane (Man United) - Left footed centre backs
Raphael Varane is widely regarded as one of the top center-backs in world football, known for his exceptional combination of speed, technical prowess, and tactical acumen. Following his move from Real Madrid to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, he quickly established himself as a key figure in the team's defensive setup.
His arrival at Manchester United brought a significant boost to the squad, with his experience at the highest level of European football and his track record of success at Real Madrid. Varane's ability to read the game and anticipate opposition movements allows him to make crucial interceptions and timely tackles, often snuffing out potential attacking threats before they materialize.
8. Levi Colwill (Chelsea) - Left footed centre backs
Center-back Levi Colwill has signed a new contract extension with Chelsea, lasting until 2029, solidifying his future at Stamford Bridge. Colwill is expected by The Blues to play a significant role both at the club and potentially for the England national team in the coming years.
In the 2022-23 season, Colwill had an explosive performance in 17 appearances in the Premier League while on loan at Brighton last season, helping the team secure a spot in European competition for the following season. Brighton then made an offer to permanently purchase the 20-year-old player for £30 million, but Chelsea rejected the bid.
9. Lisandro Martinez (Man United)
Before Martinez's injury forced him to stop playing in April 2023, he had played 3409 minutes across all competitions for Manchester United in the previous season. The Argentine defender ranked fourth in the list of players most frequently utilized by coach Erik ten Hag at that time.
In the C2 arena, Martinez successfully completed 16 tackles, more than any other Manchester United player. The former Ajax defender made 30 interceptions, along with 12 clearances and 5 blocks to opponents' shots towards De Gea's goal.
10. Sven Botman (Newcastle) - Left footed centre backs
With a hefty transfer fee of 37 million euros, Botman's acquisition represents a significant investment by Newcastle United, emblematic of the club's ambitious aspirations to ascend to greater heights in the footballing hierarchy. Botman's impact on Newcastle's defensive solidity cannot be overstated.
His commanding presence and astute defensive abilities played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into one of the stingiest defenses in the Premier League during the 2022-23 campaign. Despite being a newly promoted side, Newcastle conceded a mere 33 goals in 38 matches, boasting one of the lowest goals conceded records in the league.
Conclude
The presence of left footed centre backs can hold strategic value, disrupting the expectations of attackers and facilitating a smoother transition from defense to offense. Recently, we've seen some coaches discuss the necessity of left-footed center-backs for tactical purposes. Above are some useful insights into the best left-footed center-backs. Thank you for your interest, and let's journey together with the best online bookmaker website every day.
See also: Compilation of a list of 10 left footed football players so far
