Approaching the 2016 European Championship, Bleacher Report will review and rank the top 200 players of the tournament, according to their positions. In the second ranking review - left-back players. This ranking will not include not only injured and non-participating players in the championship, but also David Alaba, who plays in the center-back position for the Austrian national team. The ranking is composed of two categories: one based on defensive abilities (ball interceptions, player coverage, and position occupation), and the other based on attacking play (crossing balls, joining attacks, and overall technical abilities). Each player in each of these categories can receive a maximum of 50 points, and by adding the points obtained in both categories, the European Championship left-back ranking was compiled. In the first part of this review, the left-back players remaining in positions 11-20 are presented to you.
20. Ivan Strinić - Croatia
Defensive abilities: 34/50
Apart from the Juventus team, Napoli demonstrated the best defense in the Serie A this season. They qualified for the next year's Champions League, but Strinić himself contributed very little to that. Being only the second choice left-back in the team, the Croatian was one of the most reliable substitute players in this position. Attacking play: 33/50 His competitor Ghoulam is a serious threat in attack. With his ability to maintain pace and accurately cross the ball, he is one of the best in the league, which was the main reason why Strinić often stayed on the bench. The 28-year-old Croatian, despite his limited abilities to shine in Napoli, stood out with accurate passes and ball retention.Overall rating: 67/100
Until recently, a member of the Croatian national team was a substitute player in this position and in his country, but with Danijel Pjanić not making it into the final lineup, he should be a starter. There are not enough high-quality defenders in the Croatian national team, so Strinić's position should be secure.19. Neil Taylor - Wales
Defensive abilities: 36/50
For the majority of this season, Swansea fought for survival, and during this time their team was coached by three different managers. One of the few players trusted by all coaches was left-back Neil Taylor. He was third in his team in minutes played, and he demonstrated his defensive abilities by leading the team in the number of most blocked crosses.Attacking play: 32/50
The 27-year-old player averages one assist every 17 matches in his career, but in 222 professional games, he has not scored a single goal. These numbers just confirm the preconceived notion that he is not particularly dangerous in attack. Fortunately, his role in the team is more defensive, but for a modern left-back, involvement in attack is also necessary.Overall rating: 68/100
In this European Championship, Taylor will be the second left-back for the Wales national team, where he is overshadowed by Ben Davies, but he can still be a starter. The team's coach likes the game with three center-backs, and he can place Davies in the position of the left center-back. This would create space in midfield for Taylor, but he would have to play a more attack-oriented role. It is unclear whether Chris Coleman will want to place a player in such a position who can significantly help the team only in defense.18. Jordan Lukaku - Belgium
Defensive abilities: 33/50
Leaving the Anderlecht youth team and moving to KV Oostende, Lukaku had the opportunity to showcase himself and he shone. In defense, he uses his strength, speed, and athleticism to protect against attackers and after winning the ball, he transitions into attack. Attacking play: 36/50 The best attacking left-back in the Belgian league this season directly contributed to nine goals. With seven assists and two goals, he demonstrated excellent technique and the ability to accurately cross the ball from the flank. The 21-year-old player still lacks experience, but in the league he played in, it seemed that he knew what and when to do attacking.Overall rating: 69/100
The injury to Kompany left a serious gap in the Belgian national team defense. However, the team still has three high-level center-backs, among whom Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen could be shifted to the left-back position. What decision the Belgian coach will make is unclear, but Lukaku's attacking abilities may force him to bench one of the three center-backs and place the 21-year-old Belgian at the left defensive flank.17. Martin Olsson - Sweden
Defensive abilities: 33/50
Last season was not the best in Olsson's career - the team he represented dropped out of the Premier League, and Olsson himself shared playing time with his teammate Robbie Brady. He was never a defensive-minded player, but in a team like Norwich, defensive abilities are the most important for a player in this position.Attacking play: 36/50
In the few opportunities to join the team's attack, Olsson once scored a goal and twice made an assist. Since 2010, he has directly contributed to a total of 36 goals scored in his club and national team. Knowing that he had to fight with the team for survival multiple times throughout these seasons, these numbers are certainly not the worst.Overall rating: 69/100
In this European Championship, Olsson will have a lot to prove. First of all, a good performance could help him find a better team than Norwich, but most importantly, he must not disappoint the national team coach's trust and repay him with great play.16. Razvan Rat - Romania
Defensive abilities: 34/50
Having joined Rayo Vallecano last summer, Rat was supposed to be a firm starter. Unfortunately, a serious shoulder injury sidelined him for five months, and during the season, he played only ten matches in the Spanish league. His club missed qualifying for the next round by just one point, and if he had been healthy throughout the season, he could undoubtedly have contributed to their survival and the team's remaining in the league. Rat is an all-round left-back who is fast enough to join attacks, strong enough to hold back opponents, and technically skilled enough to successfully perform crosses from the flank. His weakness in the game is that he often gives away penalties to opponents.Attacking play: 38/50
Rat's best feature is his passing and crossing ability from the flank. He performs one assist every seven matches in his career, and in the European Championship qualification cycle he created three goals in nine games. Stopping Rat, the opponent's team could enjoy stopping part of the Romanian national team's attack.Overall rating: 72/100
Having won the Ukrainian championship seven times, Rat cannot expect to add to his titles at the European Championship. Romania will compete against the national teams of France, Switzerland, and Albania, so it seems that they will be competing with the latter for third place in the group. In order to achieve this, Romania will need Rat's help both on and off the pitch.15. Raphael Guerreiro - Portugal
Defensive abilities: 33/50
Born in Paris, Guerreiro represents the Portuguese national team, but nowadays, he is certainly not the only such player in the football world. A regular starter for FC Lorient, he is still learning the nuances of his position. Fabio Coentrao's injury opened the door for him in the national team, and his role should only increase during the championship. The 22-year-old player still lacks experience in his defensive abilities, and the experience he gains this summer will certainly help him.Attacking play: 39/50
Guerreiro is a left-back with the physique of a left winger - in 2016, that is probably an advantage. Technical, dynamic, and fast, the young defender contributed directly to three goals and two assists this season. He can play both as a left-back and a left winger, so his best playing qualities are revealed when the team attacks. His abilities and potential will eventually lead him to one of the world's biggest clubs.Overall rating: 72/100
The young Portuguese national team defender is probably not better than veteran Eliseu right now, but he is ten years younger, which could help Fernando Santos decide to throw him into the mix. If the coach needs a player who promotes a more attacking style, then Guerreiro will have every chance to occupy that position. 14. Caner Erkin - Turkey Defensive abilities: 35/50 This season for Erkin is one he will want to forget as soon as possible. After playing only 21 matches, the season ended with a conflict with the coach and a club-imposed disqualification until the end of the season, which lasted for a month and a half. A left-back who prefers to attack more, Erkin had problems pressing opponents this season, often causing problems for Fenerbahce's defense. Attacking play: 38/50 Starting his career in the attacking left-back position, the 27-year-old player has the necessary elements to play in attack, but his ability to accurately cross the ball in his current position is even more useful. Erkin performed eight assists over the last incomplete season, and if not for injuries and disqualification, there is no doubt that he would have made a two-digit mark in this statistic. Overall rating: 73/100 Having played his last match just in March, Erkin could have missed the European Championships due to the disqualification imposed on him. However, he is the best left-back in the national team Turkey has, and the team coach included him in the squad for the championship. His game and quality will depend on how quickly he can regain his game rhythm and return to his playing form. 13. Eliseu - Portugal Defensive abilities: 35/50 Throughout his career, despite being 35 years old, Patrice Evra remains the solid left-back for the French national team. In recent years, Digne has been the second choice left-back player in the national team. The player was loaned out to Roma this season, who have the opportunity to buy his contract and should take advantage of it. A more defensive player than his competitors in the national team, Digne is physically stronger, giving him an edge over other players in this position in the battle for the title of the second left-back in his country's national team. Attacking play: 38/50 Digne is not a player who likes to remain in defense all the time - this season he scored three times and made just as many assists for his teammates in the Serie A. Roma did not play defensive football and was the most productive team in the Italian championship, so Luciano Spalletti's wing-backs had to run forward and join the team's attacks. Overall rating: 73/100 After playing seven matches in the qualifiers, Eliseu is heading to the first and probably the last tournament with the national team, which is a strong contender for the title in the whole tournament. The 22-year-old defender will probably have to wait until the 2018 World Championships to shine. To slip, he can no longer wait for another chance.12. Ben Davies - Wales
Defensive abilities: 39/50
Joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2014, Davies was supposed to be the team's main left-back, but he had to share this position with Danny Rose. Perhaps Mauricio Pochettino valued Rose's ability to contribute more to the team in attack, or he liked that the English player was more athletic, but Davies's defense is truly solid.Attacking play: 37/50
Don't think that Davies can't play attacking - his attacking abilities are quite good. The Welsh national team player passes and crosses the ball quite well. Despite playing fewer matches than his club competition, he performed just one fewer assist, showing that he can also contribute successfully to the attack.Overall rating: 76/100
The Wales national team coach chooses an interesting tactic where he plays with three center-backs and two more attack-oriented wing-backs. Chris Coleman can allow Davies to play as a more attacking left-back or as the leftmost center-back. Wales is certainly not among the favorites for this championship, so for them to score points, they will need a strong defense. The Tottenham left-back will be one of the leaders of this defense.11. Lucas Digne - France
Defensive abilities: 39/50
Even at 35, Patrice Evra remains the firm left-back for the French national team. Digne has recently been the second choice player in this position for the national team. The player was loaned to Roma this season, who have the option to buy his contract and are likely to take advantage of it. A more defensive player than his competitors in the national team, Digne is physically stronger, giving him an advantage over the other players in this position in the battle for the title of the second left-back in his country's national team. Attacking play: 39/50 Digne is not a player who likes to remain in defense all the time - this season he scored three times and made just as many assists for his teammates in the Serie A. Roma did not play defensive football and was the most productive team in the Italian championship, so Luciano Spalletti's wing-backs had to run forward and join the team's attacks.Overall rating: 78/100
If everything goes according to the plan of the French national team, Digne is unlikely to get many opportunities to shine at the European Championship. Evra should be the main left-back throughout the tournament. The 22-year-old defender could wait until the 2018 World Cup for a chance to shine. Previously published goalkeeper ranking: positions 1-10, positions 11-20.
