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The best left-backs to sign on Football Manager 2023

By Tom Gott

Grimaldo is a steal
Grimaldo is a steal / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
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Full-backs are increasingly important in the modern game and you need to make sure you've got some reliable ones on Football Manager 2023.

When it comes to left-backs, there are some excellent players available for good prices this year, with one or two deals in particular standing out from the rest. Stay tuned.

Here are the best left-backs to sign on FM23 on any budget.

Cheap options

Ashley Young
Aston Villa

Young's days as a winger make him an intriguing option for any side looking for an attack-minded signing. He's yours for £1.9m.

Jesus Gallardo
Monterrey

At £3.1m, Monterrey man Gallardo brings some well-rounded stats and the ability to actually re-sell him in future.

Tono
Free Agent

If you've got no money at all, Tono is your guy.

Mikel Balenziaga
A. Bilbao

He may be 34, but Balenziaga is still a servicable option on the left. He'll cost you £2.3m which, for a player of his calibre, isn't bad at all.

Johan Mojica
Villarreal

A few years younger than Balenziaga, you'll have to pay £4.7m to take Mojica out of Villarreal.

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Niko Giesselmann
Union Berlin

For £3.3m, you can pick up Giesselmann, who is one of very few options at this price point who could hold their own in a top division.

Paulo Otavio
Wolfsburg

An excellent athlete, Otavio will set you back around £4.7m.

Diego Rico
Real San Sebastian

A dangerous crosser with superb work rate and stamina, Rico is the ideal wing-back if you're operating on a budget. £4.3m and he's yours.

Christian Gunter
Freiburg

Gunter is a similar sort of player who looks excellent value for his £5.25m price tag.

Alfonso Espino
Cadiz

If you value defending over attacking, Espino is worth considering for £3m.

Reasonable options

Daley Blind
FC Bayern

Blind has only just joined Bayern but is well down the pecking order and might be looking to leave soon enough. He's valued at £7.5m to start the game.

Mathias Olivera
Parthenope

A backup in Naples, Olivera is just 24 years old and can be lured away for £9.5m.

Alex Sandro
Juventus

Sandro's wage demands are massive but he's still a top player who is well worth his £8.5 asking price.

Fran Garcia
Vallecano

22-year-old Garcia might not be a top option just yet but he comes with some really nice potential and can be picked up for just £8.5m thanks to his release clause.

Ramy Bensebaini
Borussia Monchengladbach

The towering Bensebaini is comfortable on the left or in the centre. His £13.25m price tag brings plenty of early interest.

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Javi Galan
Vigo

Left-back deals don't come better than £11.5m for Galan. The 27-year-old is flirting with elite status but comes with such an affordable price tag. Statistically, he's up there with the best.

Jonas Hector
Koln

At 32, Hector is a nice defend-first option for left-back. His £5.5m price tag is affordable but you'll need a decent wage budget to bring him in.

Cristiano Biraghi
Fiorentina

17 crossing for Biraghi, who can play either as a full-back or a wing-back. He's also a free-kick specialist and definitely worth a look at £9.5m.

Juan Bernat
PSG

£11m is great value for Bernat but you'll have to decide whether his monster wage demands are worth meeting.

Ferdi Kadioglu
Fenerbahce

Kadioglu is only 22 and comes with some brilliant potential. He's good enough to justify his £12m price tag right now as well.

Expensive options

Federico Dimarco
Inter

£30m for a left-back of Dimarco's quality is some of the best value you will find at this price point.

Lucas Hernandez
Bayern

If you want to blow your budget on a left-back, Hernandez is a very nice option. He's one of the best on the game and his £46m asking price isn't exactly out of the question.

Jordi Alba
Barcelona

33-year-old Alba is the best full-back you'll find without going completely crazy with your money. He's available for £26m but obviously isn't the most long-term option.

Alfonso Pedraza
Villarreal

£19m is about right for Pedraza. He's a top player who could still get a little better.

Alejandro Balde
Barcelona

Balde can play for any team on the game right now and will be one of the best left-backs on the game in the years to come. £50m is a big spend but it's one which ensures you'll never need to worry about this position.

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Alex Grimaldo
Benfica

£20m for Grimaldo is unrivalled value. The 26-year-old is an elite player whose value will go flying up when he inevitably moves clubs. This is the deal for you if you've got the money.

Raphael Guerreiro
Borussia Dortmund

£33m is a fair price for someone of Guerreiro's quality. He's extremely well-rounded and capable of starting for most teams on the game.

Douglas Santos
Zenit

£21m doesn't feel like a massive bargain but, compared to most other payers around Douglas' current ability, you won't find a whole lot better.

Adam Marusic
Lazio

Excellent with both feet and comfortable on either flank, Marusic is an excellent option for any squad at £17m.

Jose Gaya
Valencia

If you want a top, top left-back in your ranks, Gaya is your man. He's a stand-out talent when it comes to current ability and his £44m asking price is a bit of a steal.

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