England's left-back options - ranked

When it comes to full-backs, it would be fair to say England are a little bit lopsided.

So, you like right backs, eh? Well, have all the right backs in the world! Left-backs more your thing? Well, the news isn't quite so good.

There's a bit of quality and a bit of promise, but compared to the other flank where you've got multiple Champions League standard players banging on the door, the talent pool is much less straightforward.

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

8. Dan Burn

Had Burn made his way to Euro 2024, he would undoubtedly have been the tallest left-back at the tournament.

Burn has been impressive at Newcastle United, thriving in a less natural role under Eddie Howe, but his lack of pace and large frame have resulted in some difficult afternoons at times.

With former boss Southgate having been keen on his defenders primarily focusing on defensive duties, Burn felt like a credible option amid a dearth of other options. However, his time may have passed and he's exclusively been used as a centre-back in 2024/25 thus far.

7. Joe Gomez

Gomez dropped out of England consideration for a number of years but the Liverpool defender put together an impressive and sustained spell of form during the 2023/24 season.

Injuries in Jurgen Klopp's final season saw him deployed at left-back and right-back, with Gomez proving an able deputy in both roles. He could certainly do a job for England on the left-hand side of defence.

However, Gomez is yet to feature much for new Liverpool boss Arne Slot, limiting his chances of impressing Carsley.

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 - even in a wing-back role.

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, although he hasn't made it into Carsley's first three England squads.

With younger options being favoured, Mitchell requires a considerable upsurge in form to attract the interest of Thomas Tuchel.

5. 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 before being reintegrated by the Italian, but Chilwell is unlikely. to feature much at all during Maresca's debut season with Marc Cucurella and new signing Renato Veiga currently preferred to the Englishman.

He's only likely to fall down the pecking order as time progresses, but he remains a solid option for the time being given the lack of world-class alternatives.

4. Levi Colwill

There are likely two factors that have stopped Colwill from establishing himself as an England regular.

First, Chelsea were absolutely all over the shop after he returned to the club following a successful loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion. Secondly, the end of his 2023/24 campaign was cut short by injury.

Colwill is more naturally a centre-back - a progressive, ball-playing type - but can absolutely do a job on the left if asked to, which makes him an exciting proposition.

A strong start to the 2024/25 season has seen the young defender make Carsley's first two squads, but he's pulled out of the November fixtures through injury.

3. 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.

While he struggled to contain Mohamed Salah on the opening weekend, Davis has since made a distinct impression on 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.

2. Lewis Hall

Newcastle fans no longer have to endure Burn defending in wide areas thanks to Hall finding his feet on Tyneside.

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 has placed more faith in Hall as time has 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, recently locking down Bukayo Saka in Newcastle's 1-0 win over Arsenal, and he's been rewarded with a maiden senior call-up in November.

1. 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 was sidelined for significant periods during the 2023/24 campaign.

He made his return from the treatment table at Euro 2024 and featured in the final but consistent fitness woes threaten his involvement with the national team moving forward.

Still, he's the best England have when fit and the left-back is on the comeback trail once more.

READ MORE ON ENGLAND'S SQUAD OPTIONS & BEST IN EVERY POSITION