9 Best Right Feet in the English Premier League

Given the number of right-footed players in the English Premier League and the fact that the right foot is the preferred or natural foot of most professional football players, it is perhaps unsurprising that more articles are written on left-footed players.

And with the likes of Gareth Bale and Leighton Baines making waves in England this season, it is easy to see why the flavor of the moment is left-footed prowess.

But sometimes the right foot needs some attention as well. After all, take a look at Premier League history and there have been some wonderful right feet that have graced England’s top flight: David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Gianfranco Zola, just to name but three.

Now let’s pay tribute to the nine best playing in the EPL right now. Enjoy and let us know your picks in the comments below.

All statistics from WhoScored.com

Matt Jarvis (Crossing)

When West Ham United confirmed their promotion to the Premier League at the end of last season, all eyes were on "Big" Sam Allardyce and who he’d bring in as a crossing winger to facilitate his style of play.

Step in Matt Jarvis, who had just finished the season with relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers and was known as one of the best crossers in the English top flight.

A year on, Jarvis is placed sixth in the Premier League crossing charts, with average 1.9 crosses a game.  

Sebastian Larsson (Crossing)

Arsene Wenger called him “maybe the best free-kick taker in the league.” (via Arsenal.com).

It hasn’t been a vintage season for Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson—just as it hasn’t for his club on the whole—but the Swedish midfielder retains one of the most cultured right feet in the English top flight.

One goal and three assists, coupled with a loss of form, is an underwhelming record, but Larsson still comes in 12th place on the crossing charts with 1.4 per game.

Expect more from him next season.

Adel Taarabt (Dribbling)

Moving to other aspects, Adel Taarabt, with 2.8 dribbles per game, comes in at second on the Premier League dribbling charts.

Arguably the sole talisman for Queens Park Rangers—especially before the arrival of striker Loic Remy—Taarabt has impressed and frustrated in equal measure, but his individual ability should mean that he will not need to toil in the Championship come August.

Luis Suarez (Dribbling)

The undisputed king of the nutmeg, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez rules the dribbling charts with 2.9 per league game.

With 23 league goals to his name, Suarez also possesses a formidable scoring record, which means that his right foot is one of the best around in the Premier League.

A newly developed set-piece prowess, in addition to a silky first touch, makes Suarez one of the most threatening marksmen in the league—and that’s without mentioning the biting.

Frank Lampard (Shooting)

Frank Lampard rarely dominates any statistical charts, but his goalscoring prowess is undeniable.

At the time of writing, Lampard is one goal away from breaking Bobby Tambling’s all-time Chelsea goals record of 202—from midfield.

Written off at the start of the season and linked continuously with a move at the end of the season, Lampard has scored 13 goals in the league this season in 19 starts. Not too shabby.

Santi Cazorla (Passing)

So good with both feet is Santi Cazorla, that he would place on a chart featuring the best left feet in the Premier League as well as this one.

Undoubtedly one of the signings of the season, the Arsenal playmaker is statistically the Premier League’s most successful through ball merchant, with an average of 0.8 per game.

He also has 12 goals—one in three games—and seven assists in a phenomenal debut campaign.

Michael Carrick (Passing)

Marshaling the midfield for Sir Alex Ferguson's runaway title winners is Michael Carrick, who has finally earned the praise he has deserved for his performances as Manchester United's midfield playmaker.

Nominated as a PFA Player of the Year candidate and a starting midfielder in the Premier League Team of the Year, Carrick has notched an impressive 76.5 passes per game and a pass success rate of 88.1 percent.

Mikel Arteta (Passing)

No list on right-footed Premier League players would be complete without Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, who has at times been the Gunners’ sole defensive midfield presence this season.

With a phenomenal average pass success rate of 91.9 percent (second in the league), Arteta also has an average pass count per game of 83.6, the highest in the English top flight.

Six goals—all from penalties—and three assists complete his record for the year.

Steven Gerrard (Passing)

Rounding off our list is Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, without a doubt England’s best crosser since the days of David Beckham—just take a look at his performances in Euro 2012.

He’s not been too shabby this term either. Starting the season in underwhelming fashion, he has roared back to form and currently has nine goals and nine assists.

Equally impressive is his average 66.3 passes per game, 1.4 crosses, 2.6 key passes, and a whopping 8.4 long balls per game.

If his fitness continues in this phenomenal vein, expect him to run the Liverpool midfield for years to come.

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