England's left-back options - ranked

England's full-back lopsidedness once veered heavily towards the right, but English left-backs are starting to make a resurgence.

With Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier starting to fade and Reece James refusing to stay fit, the Three Lions' once-stacked right-back depth chart no longer appears so imperious.

Thomas Tuchel is inheriting a talent pool boasting full-backs capable on performing down either flank, and the possibility of a back three being used at the start of the German's tenure means he'll be on the lookout for those who can shine in a specialist function.

Let's take a look at England's current left-back options.

8. Ben Chilwell

Fitness concerns have been the decisive factor in Chilwell's career for both club and country, with the attack-minded left-back having gone on some impressive runs of form when fit.

He was frozen out of the Chelsea squad by new Blues boss Maresca over the summer and eventually joined Crystal Palace in January.

However, the once fully-fledged England international is struggling for starts in south London and is currently out of the picture despite his familiarity with the new manager.

7. Leif Davis

Davis gained Premier League experience while at Leeds and enjoyed a brief spell with Bournemouth while they were in the second tier, but it's at Ipswich Town where the left-back has found his feet.

He's been a pivotal figure in the club's rise under Kieran McKenna, with the marauding defender recording a whopping 35 league assists over two seasons as Ipswich earned back-to-back promotions to return to the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years.

Davis has made an impression in the top flight with his lung-busting runs from left-back, advanced positioning, and ability to pick out a cross with his wonderful left foot. It'll be interesting to see where his future lies if Ipswich return to the second tier.

6. Tyrick Mitchell

There was a time when Mitchell was quietly climbing the pecking order at left-back and he's already been capped by the national team. The Crystal Palace defender provides plenty of balance down the left flank and has been tremendously consistent for the Eagles.

While Mitchell is unlikely to be a player that gets pulses racing, he could prove to be a solid option in the years to come.

If Tuchel opts for a system which includes wing-backs, Mitchell's familiarity with the role may tempt the German.

5. Tino Livramento

Livramento has just the solitary England appearance to his name, but there's no way he'll be joining the list of one-cap wonders which includes Kevin Davies, Carl Jenkinson, and Steven Caulker.

The young full-back is an intriguing option for Tuchel given his ability to perform on both sides to an equally high level. He's an excellent athlete and is an adept one-v-one defender.

His surges upfield are often valuable, as his left-footed cross which led to the second goal proved in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.

4. Luke Shaw

Shaw secured his place in English football history by becoming the first player since Sir Geoff Hurst to score for the Three Lions in a major final at Euro 2020.

However, Shaw has struggled with injuries since then and has been sidelined for significant periods over the past two seasons.

While he was England's best option when fit as recently as last summer, he's since been usurped in the left-back pecking order.

3. Djed Spence

Spence was nowhere just a few months ago. A goal at Coventry which prolonged Spurs' Carabao Cup journey sparked calls for greater integration, and the once-maligned full-back has made the most of his opportunity and some since it arrived.

He's been Tottenham's standout performer by a distance since Christmas, proving himself as a two-way operator who can match up against the best while offering so much value in possession.

Spence was unfortunate to miss out in March, but a continuation of his recent form and there's no doubt he'll be a fixture in England squads under Tuchel.

2. Myles Lewis-Skelly

There were calls from Arsenal supporters for more Hale End in Mikel Arteta's first team, but the Spaniard only hands out opportunities to those he deems good enough.

Much was made of Ethan Nwaneri's sharp rise at the Emirates, but Lewis-Skelly has been equally impressive while performing a foreign role. The teenager shone in the middle of the park at youth level, but has been exclusively utilised as a left-back for Arteta.

He's built like no 18-year-old should, allowing him to ride challenges with ease and compete physically with the most daunting of Premier League opponents. There have been a couple of disciplinary blips, but Lewis-Skelly has otherwise been a revelation.

1. Lewis Hall

Hall developed at Chelsea but was sold to Newcastle so the Blues could note his sale as 'pure profit', and it seemed as if the Blues had smartly moved on from the youngster given his struggles in year one.

However, Eddie Howe placed more faith in Hall as time progressed, with the Englishman emerging as a more consistent starter to begin the 2024/25 season.

The dynamic left-back has found his groove down the left flank and was arguably the Premier League's best performer at his position before he suffered a season-ending injury in March. As it stands, Hall is England's first-choice left-back after earning his first cap last autumn.

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