In the modern era of football, full backs have never been so integral to a side's chances of securing victory.
Tasked with playing crucial roles in attacking moves as well as their defensive duties, full backs have to have drive, stamina, pace, awareness, positioning and great passing/crossing abilities to perform consistently at the highest level.
The Premier League, like other top European leagues, has its fair share of highly rated full backs and, in particular, left backs. It was slightly surprising, therefore, to see an auxiliary left back come out on top in our latest FanVoice poll.
Your eyes are not deceiving you. With 40% of the total votes cast, Liverpool midfield man James Milner has blown away the competition to be crowned the best current left back by 90min readers.
Admittedly, Milner has performed admirably in the unfamiliar role. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has seemingly lost faith in natural left back Alberto Moreno and, with options few and far between, has turned to the veteran to fulfil the role in his side.
Thanks to Liverpool's pacy, attacking displays - performances that Milner has more than made his mark in - the 32-year-old has played well considering the position is alien to him. His supply of crosses from the left flank and his naturally good passing ability have added an extra dimension to Liverpool's forward forays.
2009 - James Milner has conceded a penalty for the first time in the Premier League since May 2009 (Villa v Fulham). Trip.
However, Milner has not absolutely bossed his newfound role. The ex-Newcastle and Leeds star gave away a penalty against Bournemouth last Sunday and, when up against tricky, pacy wingers, could be a potential weak link in Liverpool's line up, particularly if he is left exposed by those in front of him.
That a centre midfielder, entering the twilight of his playing career, has been voted the league's best left back could be viewed as a sad indictment of the current crop on show in England's top flight. There is, however, plenty of other quality full backs who would have won this poll if not for Milner's presence.
For example, just pipping Tottenham's Danny Rose into second place, with 19% of the votes cast, is Chelsea's Marcos Alonso.
Marcos Alonso reflects on Chelsea's eight-game winning streak https://t.co/VixVHdnPUG via @WAGNH_CFC
Another potential surprise but, thanks to some terrific displays for a resurgent Blues outfit, Alonso is deserving of his runner-up place. Chelsea are currently on a run of eight successive league wins - form that has fired them to the summit of the Premier League - and Alonso's tireless displays have helped reap that early season reward.
The former Fiorentina star has become an integral part of Antonio Conte's favoured 3-5-2 formation, with his lung busting runs up and down the wing providing plenty of support in both attack and defence for the Londoners.
Much maligned for his spell at Bolton many years ago, Alonso is rewriting many fans' opinions of him with his current form.
Danny Rose is the best modern left back in Europe.#COYS
Speaking of clubs based in London, Spurs' Danny Rose is just edged out into third place by Alonso in our poll.
Arguably England's best left back - though Southampton fans will beg to differ - the 26-year-old is often seen scampering up and down the flank to help Mauricio Pochettino's side in all areas of the field.
That Rose was part of the meanest defence in the Premier League last season seems to have fallen on deaf ears in this particular poll, but there's no denying that the 11-times capped international possesses qualities that few can match in England's top tier.
@96Josh69 Legit always rated Gibbs, just think Nacho Monreal is the best in the league, Gibbs should move to greener pastures
Another London-based left back is next up in the final totals, with Arsenal's Nacho Monreal picking up 15% of the votes.
The 30-year-old isn't really renowned for his defensive proficiency for Arsene Wenger's men but, like many Gunners players, he more than makes up for those deficiencies with an attacking vigour that helps Arsenal suffocate their opponents with their brand of possession based football.
To be fair to the Spain international, Arsenal do sit second in the current Premier League standings and have shipped the third least amount of goals so far this term, so maybe the former Malaga star's defensive weaknesses aren't that bad afterall.
⚽ @VitoMannone88 and @adnanjanuzaj are at it again, but this time they've teamed up... @pvanaanholt seems to be enjoying it  pic.twitter.com/9IheEdyvkn
Perhaps unsurprisingly to some, bringing up the rear are two left backs who, thanks to the fact that neither plays for a side deemed a 'top five outfit', picked up just 5% and 3% of the votes respectively.
Southampton's Ryan Bertrand is considered by Saints fans to be far and away the best left back in England right now, while Sunderland's Patrick Van Aanholt has been around the block for a number of seasons now.
Despite some impressive performance both last season and this term, the fact that Bertrand plies his strade on South coast has no doubt cost him in our poll, while Van Aanholt has, for lack of a better term, flattered to deceive defensively for the Black Cats following a few campaigns consistently fighting relegation. The duo can consider themselves slightly unfortunate to be ranked so low, but that's what happens when they are up against footballers from clubs with such monstrous global fan bases.
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Here's a first look at Thursday night's edition of SAINTS, which features #SaintsFC's @ryanbertrand3! Order now at https://t.co/XeiIz7LoPJ. pic.twitter.com/jEdhgFer4S