The top 10 most left footed centre backs today
In football, the role of the central defender is not only to play a strictly defensive role but also to take on significant responsibility in building stability and organization for the team. Among the excellent central defenders, it is impossible not to mention the left-footed players, who can control the ball and distribute the play with exceptional accuracy. On the field, they are silent heroes, strong warriors who maintain their defense. So who are the left footed centre backs today? In the following article, King Soccer Tips will help you answer this question and learn more interesting information.
Top left footed centre backs in the world
1. Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
Josko Gvardiol is an emerging young talent who has made a significant impact in the football world. Known for his excellence at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the Croatian national team, Gvardiol quickly attracted attention due to his confidence, ball-control skills, and great potential.
Due to his popularity, Manchester City did not hesitate to spend up to 90 million euros to sign him last summer. Although known for his impressive ability as a left-back, Gvardiol often takes on the role of center-back at the Etihad Stadium. As one of the standout left footed centre backs in the league, Gvardiol’s versatility and defensive prowess make him a key player. Despite some challenges, he is still one of the most reliable pillars in Pep Guardiola’s defense.
2. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
Gabriel Magalhães is a young Brazilian player who went through tumultuous times when Mikel Arteta decided to put him on the bench in the early weeks of the new Premier League season. This immediately surprised Premier League fans because Magalhães had demonstrated his outstanding talent last season. However, any concerns about conflicts between him and the coach quickly disappeared when Magalhães returned to the starting lineup shortly afterward.
Since then, Magalhães has cemented his status as one of the indispensable pillars of the defense and has proven to be invaluable for Arsenal so far this season. At 25 years of age, he has created an incredible left footed centre backs duo with William Saliba. Not only does he bring flexibility to the defense thanks to his advantageous left foot, but Magalhães is also a great threat from set-piece situations due to his aerial ability.
3. Pau Torres (Aston Villa) – Left footed centre backs
Aston Villa is one of the biggest surprises of the Premier League this season, currently holding third place in the standings after 15 matches and having promoted several players in the team. Among them, Pau Torres stands out as one of the indispensable pillars of this Midlands team.
With his outstanding talent for controlling the ball, the 26-year-old has brought innovation to Villa’s playing style. He has shown resilience under pressure, and it seems that most of Villa’s attacks are created from his feet. Torres is also a solid defender and is currently one of the brightest stars in the Premier League.
4. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
Praise from a legend like Giorgio Chiellini is not only a compliment to Alessandro Bastoni’s development but also a recognition of this player’s talent and potential. In an interview with The Athletic, Chiellini did not hesitate to praise Bastoni and compare him to the world’s top stars. Among the top left footed centre backs, Bastoni’s skill set and performance have earned him a place among the elite defenders in football.
Bastoni, with his youthful appearance and solid strength, has gradually established himself as an indispensable pillar in Inter Milan’s defense. At the age of 24, he has shown outstanding technical qualities, helping him become an integral part of building Inter’s defensive picture from the back.
5. David Alaba (Real Madrid)
David Alaba, one of the most versatile and technical defenders worldwide, has spent his career at Real Madrid up until the 2023-24 season. With his intelligent and controlled ball-possession style, the Austrian star has made a strong mark on Los Blancos’ defense.
Alaba is not only a technical player, but also a mature and calm pillar in difficult situations. At the age of 31, he is one of the top midfielders, a symbol of both Real Madrid and the Austrian national team. The ability to play in many different positions in defense, along with his leadership spirit, has helped Alaba become an indispensable player in every match.
6. Milan Škriniar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Milan Škriniar is currently one of the left footed centre backs in Ligue 1 while playing for Paris Saint-Germain. With an impressive height of about 1.88m, Škriniar possesses strength and clear superiority in aerial combat on the field.
In addition, Škriniar is also an intelligent player, capable of reading the game and making good strategic decisions. In particular, he has the skill to distribute the ball accurately from behind, helping PSG initiate coherent attacks and maintain organization in the match. This makes Škriniar an important part of both the defense and the attack of Paris Saint-Germain.
7. Raphael Varane (Man United)
Raphael Varane is considered one of the world’s leading defensive pillars, famous for his exceptional combination of speed, technical strength, and sharp tactical thinking. Moving from Real Madrid to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, Varane quickly rose to become an indispensable part of the Red Devils’ defensive scheme.
Varane’s arrival at Manchester United has provided important leverage, thanks to his vast experience at the pinnacle of European football and the success he has achieved at Real Madrid. Varane’s ability to read the game and predict his opponents’ situations allows him to make decisive and timely saves, often minimizing the risk of potential attacks before they become a reality.
8. Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
Levi Colwill, the left footed centre backs, has just signed a new contract running until 2029 with Chelsea, which has cemented his presence at Stamford Bridge. This extension is an important step forward, marking Colwill’s long-term commitment to the club and the bright future he looks forward to.
The Blues have high hopes for Colwill, not only in the club environment but also at the national team level with England. In the 2022-23 season, Colwill shined with 17 appearances in the Premier League while on loan for Brighton, making an important contribution to ensuring European participation for this team next season. Although Brighton proposed to buy the 20-year-old player permanently for £ 30 million, Chelsea decided to refuse this offer, showing faith in Colwill’s future potential.
9. Lisandro Martinez (Man United)
Before suffering an injury in April 2023, Lisandro Martinez made his mark with 3,409 minutes of play in all competitions for Manchester United last season. The Argentine defender quickly scored points in coach Erik ten Hag’s heart, becoming one of the indispensable players in the squad.
In the C2 Cup arena, Martinez shined with 16 saves and tackles, outperforming his teammates. His excellence not only stopped the opponent’s attacks but also created opportunities for the team by making 30 blocks, 12 clearances, and 5 interceptions of dangerous shots.
Despite his injury, Martinez left a deep impression on Manchester United, not only through his solid defense but also through his fighting spirit and determination to overcome difficulties.
10. Sven Botman (Newcastle)
Newcastle United’s spending a large amount of money, up to 37 million euros, to recruit Sven Botman shows the club’s determination and ambition to achieve success. This is not only a significant investment but also a symbol of the goal of reaching higher levels in football. As one of the effective left footed centre backs in the league, Botman’s addition to the team highlights the club’s strategy of incorporating top talent to strengthen their defense.
Botman has had a major impact on the stability of Newcastle’s defense. His leadership and excellent defensive skills have played a key role in transforming the team into one of the Premier League’s strongest defenses in the 2022-23 season.
Despite being a newly promoted team, Newcastle conceded only 33 goals in 38 matches, becoming one of the teams with the most effective defenses in the tournament. Botman’s presence has helped create stability and confidence for the team, making an important contribution to Newcastle’s success this season.
Conclusion
Above are the top 10 most talented left footed centre backs, they all bring special qualities and influence to the teams they represent. Their combination of speed, strength, technique, and tactical thinking has created solid and formidable defensive formations. The ability to guide and lead, along with adaptability and stability, has played an important role in helping them shine on the field. The diversity of their playing styles and methods has made them irreplaceable pillars in top football teams around the world!
See more: Top 10 most talented left footed football players in the world