The Best Young Left Backs in Football Manager 2021


Full backs are becoming an increasingly more prominent position in world football.

Key in stifling counter-attacks as well as linking up with the forwards in the final third - nowadays your left back needs to do it all.

Latest - The winter update has landed!

There's been an entire reshuffle in Football Manager, with the Winter Update bringing in new transfers, wonderkids and rating changes.

We've updated our best young left backs accordingly.

Best Young Left Backs

All the following left backs have a 20/20 rating in the position, and are aged 23 or under.

They are sorted by CA (Current Ability) but do watch out for their PA (Potential Ability) to see how much they can improve.

You can view CA and PA in the Football Manager 2021 Editor.

Theo Hernandez (CA 155 - PA 165)

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BRUISE BROTHERS - Theo Hernandez is closing in on brother Luis

Age: 22

Club: AC Milan

Best attributes: 17 pace, 16 dribbling, 16 movement

Value: £28 million

Wage: £40,000 a week

Aged just 22, Theo Hernandez has emerged into one of the best left backs in world football.

The Frenchman left Real Madrid for AC Milan in 2019, and you wonder whether Los Blancos are regretting that decision.

Alphonso Davies (CA 152 - PA 150-180)

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DUCK TO WATER - Davies' transformation as a left back as been remarkable

Age: 19

Club: Bayern Munich

Best attributes: 19 acceleration, 17 pace, 15 stamina

Value: £32 million

Wage: £88,000 a week

Now if we're talking versatility, then Alphonso Davies is your man.

The Champions League winner is still just 19 years old and has the ability to play pretty much anywhere you need.

Kieran Tierney (CA 151 - PA 162)

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MR RELIABLE - Kieran Tierney has been a go-to man for Mikel Arteta

Age: 23

Club: Arsenal

Best attributes: 18 work rate, 18 team work, 16 bravery

Value: £31 million

Wage: £75,000 a week

Kieran Tierney has proven himself as a left full-back, centre back and wing back over the last 12 months at Arsenal.

Now one of the first names on the teamsheet, he could be tricky to dislodge from the Emirates.

Sergio Reguilon (CA 150 - PA 160)

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SERG-ING DOWN THE WING - Reguilon has settled in well in North London

Age: 23

Club: Tottenham

Best attributes: 17 work rate, 15 bravery, 15 crossing

Value: £30 million

Wage: £70,000 a week

It's been a great start to life at Spurs for Sergio Reguilon, with the Spaniard arriving for just £25 million.

Real Madrid do have a buy-back clause on the defender, and it will be interesting to see if they exercise it in both real life and FM21.

Ben Chilwell (CA 147 - PA 165)

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ON HOLD - Ben Chilwell looks to have lost his place since Thomas Tuchel's arrival

Age: 23

Club: Chelsea

Best attributes: 16 pace, 16 work rate, 15 dribbling

Value: £30 million

Wage: £190,000 a week

After an initial injury, Ben Chilwell hit the ground running at Chelsea - but things have changed since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel.

The £50 million signing has fallen behind specialist wing-back Marcos Alonso in the pecking order, but quality will surely prevail in time.

Angelino (CA 146 - PA 154)

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LEASE OF LIFE - Angelino's loan move to Leipzig has been made permanent

Age: 23

Club: RB Leipzig

Best attributes: 17 crossing, 16 stamina, 16 work rate

Value: £15 million

Wage: £53,000 a week

Another recent mover, Angelino has just made his loan move to RB Leipzig from Manchester City permanent.

The Spaniard has had an exceptional season so far, picking up 11 assists in all competitions.

Marc Cucurella (CA 144 - PA 160)

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FLEEING THE NEST - Cucurella may make Barcelona's regret letting him go

Age: 22

Club: Getafe

Best attributes: 16 anticipation, 16 acceleration, 15 movement

Value: £15 million

Wage: £30,000 a week

Marc Cucurella has been touted as a wonderkid for some time, and the versatile left back finally got the chance to shine on loan from Barcelona at Eibar in 2018-19.

He then went on loan to Getafe, a deal that has since been made permanent, and he is one of La Liga's shining lights.

Renan Lodi (CA 144 - PA 157)

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RISING UP - Renan Lodi exploded into European football two years ago

Age: 22

Club: Atletico Madrid

Best attributes: 16 dribbling, 16 passing, 16 acceleration

Value: £15 million

Wage: £70,000 a week

Staying in Spain, Renan Lodi is another left back who's burst onto the scene - with the Brazilian representing Atletico Madrid almost 60 times in less than two season.s

Lodi has also picked up eight Brazil caps, and could be the natural successor to Marcelo in the national tema.

James Justin (CA 143 - PA 161)

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VERSATILE - James Justin has proved his worth in both full back positions

Age: 22

Club: Leicester

Best attributes: 16 stamina, 15 acceleration, 15 work rate

Value: £24 million

Wage: £30,000 a week

A right back by trade, but you wouldn't know it judging by James Justin's left back performanes for Leicester.

The Englishman has made the left back role his own since Chilwell left for Chelsea, but an injury looks to have put a premature end to his season.

Junior Firpo (CA 140 - PA 149)

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BRACED FOR IMPACT - Junior Firpo is yet to break through at Barca

Age: 23

Club: Barcelona

Best attributes: 15 acceleration, 14 agility, 14 work rate

Value: £11 million

Wage: £105,000 a week

Junior Firpo is having to be patient for his opportunity at Barcelona, with Jordi Alba having a firm grip on the left back spot.

That said, with close to 40 appearanes for the club already - Firpo looks ready to take his opportunity.

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