Best Left Back In The World?

As a soccer community we must support and pride ourselves on domestic success. It is also important to educate ourselves and discuss ideas to aid in the development of the sport. Blueprint Soccer XI has the desire to have a pulse on everything happening in the  United States soccer ecosystem. That includes players, teams, coaching and trends from the youth to professional levels. Our goal is to share relevant stories and information that we can learn from to continue to grow the sport.

The United States Men’s National Team has one of the best players in the world. He plays in a position that often goes overlooked when it comes to the importance of areas on the field. With that being said this position should be one of our strengths as a country based on the qualities and characteristics one must possess. The position requires players to have ability on both sides of the ball, attacking and defending but you don’t have to be the best. Players in this position don’t have to be the most technical or have the highest tactical IQ on the field, but they need to be relentless and fit. Being relentless and fit should be in the DNA of all of our players. Having these core qualities will set players up for success, regardless of position. Not only do players need to possess high levels of fitness to play this position, they must also have competent technical ability to play out of pressure and defensive qualities to play against some of the best players in the world. The modern game requires players in this position to do it all. 

This position is one of the underrated and arguably most important positions on the field. Left back has become an extremely demanding and important position for most teams. The left back position has evolved from a purely defensive position to one that demands versatility, contributing significantly to both defensive solidity and offensive creativity. Coaches are demanding so much more from their left back (outside backs). Players are asked to start in a wide area of the field, come inside in certain moments of the build out, defend the best player on the other team, get into the attack and create chances on goal, the list goes on and on. This dual role makes the position incredibly important in the tactical setup of a modern soccer team.

Why left back and not right back you may wonder. Less than 25% of all players are naturally left footed therefore much harder to come by. Naturally left footed players are just different. At the youth and amateur levels you will often see a right footed player at the left back position due to not having (enough) left footed players on the team. Furthermore the very talented, technical, left footed players tend to play in purely attacking positions.

This player has gained some recent recognition being named U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year (2024). Antonee Robinson has become one of the most dominant players in the left back (left wingback) position, typically playing in a 4-2-3-1 system or (3-4-3). Antonee plays for Fulham FC (London, England) in the English Premier League, one of the most competitive professional leagues in the world. He is a true left footed, left (wing) back, as opposed to a right footed left back like Jurrien Timber of Arsenal or left center back like Gvardiol or Calafiori. Antonee currently has 9 assists which is 4 behind Mohamed Salah who leads the league with 13. To sit 3rd in total assists as a left back (outside back) through 22 games (38 total games in a season) is an impressive accomplishment. To note, the next outside back on the chart is down at 11 with 5 assists, Trent Alexander-Arnold. Take this into consideration, Trent is often responsible for Liverpool’s set pieces, taking their corner kicks and free kicks which increases the opportunity for assists. With all due respect to Fulham FC, Antonee has accomplished this feat for a mid-table team which doesn’t feature a pool of world class players. His consistency and performances has also led to being named club captain. 

Antonee Robinson isn’t usually in the conversation when it comes to the best left back in the world. He is not in the conversation because he doesn’t play for one of the world renowned clubs like Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, etc. If he played at one of these clubs he would be in the conversation with players like Alphonso Davies, Theo Hernandez and Federico DiMarco. The reality is, Antonee should be in the conversation with his consistent performances and production in the best league in the world. According to FotMob ratings, Antonee has the highest player rating as a left back, with an average of 7.58 for the season thus far. Without a doubt, if Antonee was playing for Liverpool, Arsenal, or Manchester City he would be in the conversation for the best left back in the world. Don’t be surprised if Antonee Robinson makes a move to a bigger club before the start of next season (2025/26). 

Maybe you’re wondering why this is a noteworthy or relevant topic to dive into within the U.S. Soccer space but it is for a few reasons. Up and coming left footed players should be watching the likes of a player like Antonee Robinson week in and week out to learn from. This is a key area of the field where players can now make a massive impact for their team. There will be a growing trend of dominant left backs in this country over the next 5 to 10 years. 

Another American player to keep an eye on at the left back position is John Tolkin. John just made a move to the German Bundesliga from the New York Red Bull and soon may be in the conversation of best left backs. The 22 year old, who joined Holstein Kiel had a few successful seasons in Major League Soccer. He was an MLS All-Star in 2023 and has been called into a few National Team camps, being capped 4 times. The move to Holstein Kiel is interesting for a few reasons. This seems to be a very strategic move, Holstein Kiel currently sits in 17th place out of 18 clubs in a relegation battle. There is likely a focus on preparing for the 2026 World Cup while also setting up a potential move to a bigger club at the start of the 2025/2026 season. Signing for a club sitting lower in the Bundesliga should give John an opportunity to play immediately and more consistently with a chance to sold to a bigger club. Similar to Antonee Robinson, don't be surprised if John is at the bigger club ahead of the 2025/26 season, continuing to make strides to be rostered for the US Men’s National Team for the 2026 World Cup. 

Keep an eye out for a wave of talented players at the left back position and if you’re a young left footed player strongly consider the left back position as it could be a massive opportunity for you to make an impact!