Top 3 left-backs of the EFL Championship Season So Far
The left-back position remains one the hardest positions for any club to fill. Only about 20% of players are left-footed in the game and most of the good left-footed ones want to play up front or on the wings, leaving precious little talent to play at left-back.
Therefore, we have little to go on but luckily, some of the better performers in the division have played in this position over the last couple of years and three of the best are doing their thing this season:
Joe Bryan – Bristol City
Also a very competent left-midfield player, Bryan has been consistently excellent in this position all year and he simply doesn’t wish to indulge in his attacking instincts when asked to play in this role.
For a player who finishes expertly – see his goal against Manchester United in the league cup – Bryan has a record of no goals and just one assist from 18 left-back appearances this season, showing that he can stay back when required, in order to allow the forwards to do their job.
This lad will likely be playing in the Premier League next season one way or the other, whether it’s with Bristol City remains to be seen.
Yoann Barbet (Brentford)
13 of the Frenchman’s 20 Championship starts have been at the left-back position and this is where he has impressed the most. Although his final ball could use some work when going forward, his shorter range of passing, blocking, tackling and tracking are all excellent and he is emerging as one of the better left-backs in this division.
Brentford are not averse to selling their best talents so it is a matter of time before someone wants to prize him away from Griffin Park.
Barry Douglas (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Like Matt Doherty on the other side, Douglas also plays as a wing-back rather than as a traditional full-back but either way, he has been impressive. Going forward, his qualities are obvious and in fact, he has contributed 4 goals and 8 assists in the league this season, though he is no shambles at the other end either.
In terms of tackles, interceptions and clearances, he is more than doing his bit defensively to show that he is the all-round package. Since moving abroad and now playing in England, the Scot has improved to no end and will surely fit in at the top level in this country.