All Time Premier League XI - Left Back (no.3)

Continuing with Manchester United's All Time XI... or what is appearing to be Manchester United's All Time XI... we come to Denis Irwin at left back. Denis Irwin was tagged Mr. Reliable and spent 12 years at Old Trafford winning just about everything. Irwin was not only a fans' favourite, but also widely appreciated from opposition fans too for his willingness to get forward. Excellent at the back, Irwin was also deadly in front of goal, scoring a number of free-kicks and penalties. Irwin remained in a succesful Manchester United side until he was 35, no mean feat for a club with the kind of resources to buy the best in any position. So, how can one argue against Denis Irwin's inclusion?

Step forward [C]Ashley Cole. I find it very difficult supporting Ashley Cole's case in the All Time Premier League XI, fundamentally because I believe he is a complete **** (expletive removed for fear of libel). Ashley Cole is probably the least respected player in the Premiership, due to 5 high profile incidents in his career. Firstly he was seen selling his soul to Peter Kenyon... then he criticised Arsenal fans in his autobiography... later he was widely accused of a "highly probable (there's no smoke without fire)" secret homosexual night life to which he attempted to sue Google... so his PR Manager arranged a "sham" marriage to "I also need good PR" Cheryl Tweedy... and finally he cheated on her with Aimee Walton. Oh no, wait, there's another one. He also showed a complete lack of professionalism when Alan Wiley attempted to give him a lenient yellow card for a wreckless challenge worthy of red, which sparked the almightiest "player power" media frenzy.

Ashley Cole is a ****. However, he is a well accomplished full back, having spent over 10 years playing for 2 of the top 3 sides in England, and will almost certainly go on to win the Premier League with two different sides. He's strong, he's fast, and he's an attacking threat... but then he is a ****. Let's consider the on-field evidence not to select Ashley Cole. Step forward Gael Clichy and Wayne Bridge. Although these two players have not been succesful enough to warrant a place in the All Time Premier League XI, they are both considered by many to be better than Cole, at a time when Cole should be at his peak. Clichy has left Arsenal fans regretting nothing about the sale of Cole (even with their exchance player Gallas being a crying whinging baby), and Bridge often being picked ahead of Cole for Chelsea, though not yet England. So this leaves me thinking... it can't be Ashley Cole. There's just too much going against Cole to select him.

After all the debate, and all the justifications... I'm plucking for an outsider. Faster and more attacking than Denis Irwin, whilst not quite as controversial as Ashley Cole, Graeme Le Saux was the Premier League's best left back in his prime. Leaving Chelsea after a falling out with then Manager Ian Porterfield, he joined Blackburn for £700,000, a lot of money in 1993 (but nothing in modern day football according to Simon Jordan). Le Saux had an excellent left foot, and Alan Shearer used to thrive on his crosses into the box. In 4 years Le Saux proved himself to be England's best left back, winning the Premier League with an unfancied Blackburn team, before returning to Chelsea for a record £5m. Le Saux continued to impress at Stamford Bridge and was heavily involved in the clubs' success in the late 1990s.

Famously Graeme Le Saux punched David Batty in the face in a Champions League game in Moscow, and infamously was the butt of Robbie Fowler's gay jibes during a game... but Le Saux will more likely be remembered for his amazing volley against Brazil at Wembley in a 3-1 defeat (Le Saux's goal against Brazil).

Graeme Le Saux is On Football's All Time Premier League Left Back.