The role of a winger has changed quite drastically since the inception of the Premier League back in 1992. In its embryonic years, a winger in the English top flight was instructed to hug the touchline in the traditional, old-school 4-4-2 formation and told to whip in pinpoint crosses for a big centre-forward to attack.
These days, wide players are essentially unorthodox strikers and the very best in the position are now expected to grab at least 15 goals a season. One of the greatest wide players we have seen in the modern era was certainly Mo Salah, who made the English top flight his playground during his many years at Liverpool.
12. Alejandro Garnacho
An energetic forward, Garnacho has been praised for his speed and dribbling abilities, as well as his ability to create chances and get into the box.He is considered one of the most promising prospects of Manchester United’s academy.
At United, he has frequently been deployed as a winger on either the left or right flank. United coach Mike Phelan described him as “everything that Manchester United is about” and “an intelligent player who understands his role in the team
11. Savinho
A left-footed winger who loves to play on the right and cut inside, it’s no wonder that Savio takes a lot of inspiration from Riyad Mahrez’s game.
Just a quick glance at La Liga’s stats for 2023/24, where Savio so impressed for Girona, tells you everything you need to know about his style of play.He completed 104 dribbles across the season, a whopping 18 more than anyone else in the division.
10. Jérémy Doku
Doku is equally comfortable playing on the left wing and on the right wing. According to The Athletic, Doku is “a ball-to-feet winger who constantly changes his positioning to present himself as a progressive passing option”.
Doku is naturally right-footed, but he also has a strong left foot which he often uses to shoot at the goal after cutting in from the right side or cross from the left. An extremely quick and explosive player with great acceleration, agility, balance and body strength.
Doku is most known for his elite dribbling skills, flair and trickery. His low centre of gravity, body control, unpredictable footwork and rapid change of pace has helped him become one of the world’s most effective forwards in one-on-one situations.
Doku’s signature move is the shoulder drop, putting his right foot over the ball and making a feint towards the inside, forcing the defender to lean in, followed by a sudden burst to the right, as he keeps the ball under close control. He also frequently uses a drag-back spin move when backed against defenders, turning quickly and advancing up the pitch.
9. Leandro Trossard
The wealth of attacking options at Mikel Arteta’s disposal has limited Leandro Trossard’s playing minutes, with him amassing 94 minutes in total after the Gunners’ opening three matches, in which he’s registered one goal. Last season, he managed 12 goals across 34 outings, one of them being Arsenal’s only goal in a 0-1 victory at Old Trafford, taking the Premier League title race to the season’s final day.
8. Jarrod Bowen
While West Ham United have struggled at times in the Premier League at different periods, England ace Jarrod Bowen has been the stand-out performer for the east London club and has quickly become one of the best wingers in England – and for fans of his employers, his last-ditch strike in the 2022/23 Europa Conference League will remain a vivid memory.
Bowen has, much like Gordon, had the burden of leading the line under his new boss, which takes him away from his biggest strengths. Some might argue he deserves to be a tad lower, but that sums up the 27-year-old captain. Criminally underrated.
7. Phil Foden
Phil Foden’s versatility allows him to excel in central areas, but arguably his most damaging work comes from out wide, where his exceptional dribbling skills enable him to effortlessly glide past opponents. Following his 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Season award, Foden is poised to defend his title.
Widely regarded as one of England’s top division’s finest players, the accomplished forward has temporarily slipped down the rankings due to the phenomenal form of others and his limited starts, largely confined to substitute appearances. However, expect his impact to escalate in the coming weeks as he gains more playing time.
6. Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz has been the standout beneficiary of Arne Slot’s arrival at Anfield, following Jurgen Klopp’s departure. While Diaz was solid under Klopp, his form this season has been nothing short of phenomenal.
The Colombian winger, poised to receive a new contract offer according to reports, had his 2022/23 campaign hindered by a long-term injury that threatened to dull his electrifying pace. However, Diaz has regained his top form, wreaking havoc on the left flank and showcasing noticeable improvements in his goal-scoring prowess.
5. Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus’ scintillating form since joining the Premier League from Ajax has left many pondering why a top-six club didn’t pursue the Ghanaian superstar. The Accra-born winger has been a revelation in east London, impressing with his tenacity in duels, unpredictability, and ability to torment defenders.
Although Kudus’ performances under Julen Lopetegui haven’t quite matched last season’s electrifying standards, it’s a trend mirrored across the West Ham squad, suggesting factors beyond the player’s control.”
4. Son Heung-min
Son struggled for his best form last season- a campaign that proved to be the last of his defining alliance with Harry Kane. Now under Ange Postecoglou, there is an onus on him to be the main man in Tottenham’s new era and, based on his hat-trick against Burnley, it’s a role he remains more than capable of filling.
3. Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is poised to emulate his former teammate Phil Foden’s success and become a global football sensation. His remarkable achievements already make a compelling case – notably, his unprecedented feat of scoring four goals in a Premier League first half.
Pep Guardiola’s decision to let Palmer join a rival sparked skepticism, which has proven justified as the youngster thrives at Stamford Bridge. Following his impressive 22-goal tally in the top flight last season, Palmer continues to dazzle this term, showcasing his creative brilliance.”.
2. Bukayo Saka
Perhaps that element of taking Palmer for granted explains Saka pipping him to the top spot in our poll. But this is a player who has elevated Arsenal through his immense consistency, skill and drive. He promises to be similarly influential for England over the coming years.
1. Mohamed Salah
Was anyone else ever really going to be number one? The ever-reliable Mohamed Salahhas been in scintillating form since joining Liverpool in 2017 and has regularly been the best winger in the Premier League and maybe even the best in the entire world since.
His goalscoring influence on the team is unmatched and no one was quite as important to Jurgen Klopp’s silverware-winning side as the Egyptian King. Under a new regime, the 32-year-old has continued in a similarly rich vein, which appears to be leading Liverpool towards a title charge that not too many would’ve expected.
