Approaching the 2016 European Championship, Bleacher Report will review and rate the top 200 players of the tournament, based on their positions. In the second ranking review, we will focus on the left-back positions. This ranking will not include injured players or those not participating in the championship, as well as David Alaba, who plays as a center-back for the Austrian national team. The ranking is divided into two categories: one based on defensive abilities (ball interceptions, player coverage, and positioning), and the other on attacking play (crosses, 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 arranged. In the second part of this review, we present the left-back players remaining in positions 1-10. You can read about the players occupying positions 11-20 by clicking on this link. 10. Yuri Zhirkov - Russia Defensive skills: 37/50 Zhirkov is a versatile player who is difficult to assign to a single position. Although he mostly plays as a left-back in the Russian national team, he can play in all positions on that side of the field. His versatility somewhat hinders his defensive abilities. While he possesses all the necessary elements for attacking play, he faces more challenges in defense. Attacking play: 43/50 His versatility makes him an excellent attacking left-back. A technical player with excellent skills and a love for running, he contributes to the overall Russian team's attack. Although he may lack the finishing skills and goal-scoring ability, his 82 career assists are something most defenders can envy. Overall rating: 80/100 At 32 years old, Zhirkov is a solid starting player for the Russian national team. He was selected to the symbolic team of the European Championship in 2008, and the Russians will need his good performance in these championships. 9. Mattia De Sciglio - Italy Defensive skills: 40/50 De Sciglio is a right-back who can play on either side of the field. However, Italy national team coach Antonio Conte almost always positions him as a left-back. Although he should play a slightly different role in the national team compared to his club, De Sciglio's versatility should help him cope with new tasks. Attacking play: 40/50 The Italian national team never has easy championships, and they often rely on defense for victories. With three top-class defenders in defense, De Sciglio cannot forget his attacking duties. His speed can help the team create fast counterattacks - the 23-year-old defender always tries to create opportunities for his teammates by his passing. Overall rating: 80/100 Depending on the coach's instructions, De Sciglio can have a very important or secondary role. Playing more attacking functions could significantly contribute to the team's attack, but in the Italian national team, players in this position usually have to perform more defensive functions. Before moving to Chelsea, Antonio Conte will have to find the right tactical solution to bring out all of De Sciglio's best qualities without harming the team's current game. 8. Jonas Hector - Germany Defensive skills: 41/50 Last season, Hector was probably the best player in his position in the Bundesliga. His team was mid-table in the championship, giving the German a great opportunity to show what he is worth on both sides of the field. After playing 32 Bundesliga matches, Hector ranked among the best ten players in his position in terms of intercepted balls, passes intercepted, and balls cleared from his zone. Attacking play: 41/50 Capable of making good crosses and dribbling past players, the 26-year-old player made four assists and was third in the championship in successful dribbling elements. If he continues to demonstrate this performance, Cologne may be forced to sell him to a more ambitious club. Overall rating: 82/100 Germany coach Joachim Low is unlikely to leave Benedikt Höwedes on the bench, and a space could open up in the left-back position. However, Hector should also receive his chances in this championship, where his good performance could earn him more playing time on the field. 7. Ryan Bertrand - England Defensive skills: 42/50 Chelsea sold Bertrand to Southampton for ten million pounds in winter 2014, which was probably a mistake. The 26-year-old player emerged and became one of the best players in his position in the Premier League. Although not the best at intercepting balls from defenders, he often makes interceptions by using his speed and anticipating opponents' actions, starting his team's attacks. Attacking play: 44/50 Bertrand is a threat in attack that cannot be ignored. This season, he made three assists and a goal, and with his speed and ability to dribble successfully, he has shown that he has the potential to score great goals and assist his teammates. Overall rating: 86/100 Having withstood significant competition and made it into the final national team lineup, Bertrand should relinquish his position on the field to Danny Rose. However, if he does not perform well in this tournament, Southampton's defender will always be ready to take his place and properly replace his teammate in the national team. 6. Christian Fuchs - Austria Defensive skills: 43/50 Travelling between Austria and Germany, Fuchs somehow ended up at Leicester City and did not imagine the success he would achieve there. The left-back was a key player in the miraculous season of the team playing in the Premier League and contributed to their triumph in the Premier League. His excellent tactical positioning in defense and support for the full-backs were crucial in creating the championship defense. Attacking play: 43/50 Although not one of the heroes in attack, Fuchs also contributed to the attacks and made four assists. The 30-year-old knew very well that he had to help the defense and connect in attack, not always, but his ability to make crosses reflects his role as the main corner taker for the team. Overall rating: 86/100 Alaba has not played as a left-back in the Austrian national team since 2009. In his country's national team, he is more used in attack, opening up the starting defender position to Fuchs, who justifies the trust of the team's coaches with his good play. 5. Danny Rose - England Defensive skills: 43/50 At the beginning of the season, Rose was not the starting player in his position for Tottenham Hotspur, but later he forced his way into the team and made it into the symbolic Premier League season team. The 25-year-old defender was an important part of the team's defense, which was one of the best in the England Championship. Attacking play: 45/50 Rose is a threat in attack that cannot be ignored. This season, he made three assists and a goal, and with his speed and ability to successfully dribble, he has shown he has the potential to score great goals and assist his teammates. Overall rating: 88/100 Having gained Roy Hodgson's trust with his good performance last season, Rose should occupy a starting position in his country's national team. Although he will not play with the Belgian defenders Vertonghen and Alderweireld in defense, there will still be several teammates from Tottenham in the England national team - four. Playing with them should only help Rose's game. 4. Patrice Evra - France Defensive skills: 45/50 When Evra left Manchester United in 2014, everyone thought his career had come to an end. However, the Frenchman chose a league where he could not relax and finish his career but rather his Premier League experience proved valuable in the Serie A. The French national team member quickly adapted to modern football and modified his defense and opponent combat to remain one of the best in his position. Attacking play: 45/50 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri prefers to play with three center-backs, so Evra is often used as a more attacking left-back. Attacking with his passing ability, never-ending energy, and vast experience, he is still a valuable player. Having played many games during his career, Evra reads the game well and knows when he is needed more in defense and when he is more useful to the team in attack. Overall rating: 90/100 It seems that this European Championship will be his last representing his country's national team. Winning the title in front of his audience would be the best ending scenario for his career in the national team, and the 35-year-old player would certainly not refuse it. 3. Jordi Alba - Spain Defensive skills: 42/50 Almost uncontested as a starting player for Barcelona, Alba is one of the best players in his position both in La Liga and in the upcoming European Championship. Barca's tactics require full-backs to play highly attacking football, and Alba, alongside Dani Alves, always joins the attack and tries to help find paths towards the opponent's goal. Due to this, Alba is rarely tested in defense. He can both intercept the ball from opponents and take up positions, but he is certainly not the best in these aspects. Perhaps this is because, playing in the Barcelona team, this is not a necessary requirement. Attacking play: 49/50 Alba compensates for his defensive weaknesses by excelling in attack. His speed and constant runs and joining attacks create problems for opponents. With his excellent teammates in attack, he can freely create opportunities and make assists, which he did six times last season in Spain. Overall rating: 91/100 Despite being one of the best players in his position, Alba will share the starting position with Cesar Azpilicueta, and the coach will likely choose between them based on the opponent and the type of play needed in each of the European Championship matches. When the team needs more defensive full-back skills, the Chelsea representative will be thrown onto the field, but when the team needs attack support, Alba will have a significant advantage. 2. Cesar Azpilicueta - Spain Defensive skills: 49/50 Chelsea players would want to forget their appalling performance last season. All the players, including the full-backs, did not demonstrate what their fans were used to seeing from them. Azpilicueta is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and can play on either side of the field. Previously, he enjoyed playing as a right-back, but Jose Mourinho retrained him as a left-back so that he could have both him and Ivanovic on the pitch. Playing on the left, Azpilicueta remained incredibly strong in defense, and the Spanish national team can benefit from his abilities to defend. Attacking play: 43/50 Admittedly, playing on the left hinders Azpilicueta's ability to connect more successfully in attacks. Recently, he has improved his play on his left foot, but it is still not enough to pose a significant threat to opponents. The Spaniard more often shares short passes with the midfielders than crosses to the forwards, and although he likes to run, even when in the heart of the attack, he lacks the ability to finish attacks. Overall rating: 92/100 In Euro's qualification rounds, Vincente del Bosque also used him as a left-back, so it seems he has found his position. His teammate in the national team, Jordi Alba, is much more dangerous in attack, but the Chelsea player contributes much more to the team's defense, something the Spanish were missing in the 2014 World Cup. 1. Ricardo Rodriguez - Switzerland Defensive skills: 46/50 Although left-backs playing in the European Championship are perhaps not the best in the world, the best player in this position in this championship will be Ricardo Rodriguez. The Swiss national team member is a well-balanced defender. His defensive work is excellent - during the season, he took 37 balls from opponents in the Bundesliga and intercepted 43 passes. However, his best work in defense is reflected in the pressure he puts on attacking wingers. Attacking play: 48/50 Even after missing 10 matches, the Wolfsburg defender was undefeated among his position players, both in terms of passes made, shots on goal, and goals. In his 205 professional career matches, he scored 57 goals or made goals. His ability to play in attack forces opponents' right-backs to be cautious and stay in defense. This only confirms the statement that the best defense is the offense. Overall rating: 94/100 Already in the group stage, playing against France, Rodriguez's defensive abilities will be tested against one of the best attacking teams in all competitions. Coman, Martial, and Griezmann are threats in attack, but if they do not help their teammates in defense, Switzerland and Rodriguez can take advantage of it. The 23-year-old left-back should confirm his status as a world-class player in this championship. Previously published goalkeeper ranking: positions 1-10, positions 11-20.
