The Premier League has long been a stage for elite wide talent, and the right flank has produced some of the division’s most influential attackers since 1992-93.

Some right wingers thrived as scorers, others excelled as creators, and a few simply made life unbearable for defenders every week. What unites them is a lasting imprint on England’s top flight.

In ranking the best of them, three ideas matter most: peak and longevity, ability, and legacy. That means judging how high a player reached, how long he sustained that level, and how much he shaped the league through titles, awards, and memorable moments.

Juan Mata’s failure to win a Premier League title remains striking given his quality, but his impact was never in doubt. Chelsea moved quickly after noticing his growing influence at Valencia, and he settled into the league immediately. Fernando Torres helped convince his compatriot that the Premier League was the right fit, and Mata responded by winning Chelsea’s Player of the Year award in each of his first two seasons. He also finished the 2012-13 campaign with the most assists in the division. A later move to Manchester United arrived as the club entered a difficult post-Sir Alex Ferguson period, yet Mata still produced moments of quality, including his beautifully taken goal at Liverpool in March 2015.

Bukayo Saka is still early in his career, but his rise at Arsenal has already made him a central figure in their revival under Mikel Arteta. A Premier League champion, he has passed 100 combined goals and assists in the competition and is one of the division’s most reliable attacking threats. His pattern is well known, receiving on the right, cutting inside onto his left foot and looking for goal, but it remains extremely hard to stop.

Steve McManaman was elegant, energetic and dangerous from wide areas, with the kind of two-footed skill that allowed him to beat defenders either way. His Liverpool performances earned him a move to Real Madrid in 1999, where he won two Champions League titles. He finished his Premier League career with 41 goals and 59 assists.

Freddie Ljungberg combined movement, timing and a sharp instinct for arriving in the box. Signed from Halmstads for just £3 million ($4 million), he became one of Arsenal’s best-value signings, scoring 72 goals and adding 40 assists in all competitions. He won two Premier League titles, formed part of the Invincibles and was named Player of the Season in 2001-02.

Raheem Sterling first emerged at Liverpool, then reached his peak after moving to Manchester City. Under Pep Guardiola, he became a regular scorer and a constant problem for defenders, using pace, direct running and intelligent link-up play with Sergio Agüero, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sané. He was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 2018-19.

Gareth Bale produced a stretch where he was not only the best right winger in the league, but arguably its best player overall. His Tottenham Hotspur form brought two PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards and three straight PFA Team of the Year selections. The 2012-13 season stood out most, with his pace, power and finishing driving him to 21 goals.

Riyad Mahrez brought improvisation, skill and a remarkable first touch, showcased by his famous assist for Jamie Vardy against Manchester City in 2016-17. A Premier League champion with Leicester City, then a four-time winner with Manchester City, he repeatedly turned difficult moments into something exceptional.

David Beckham was more wide midfielder than classic winger, but his place in any right-sided ranking is unquestionable. His right foot delivered crosses, free kicks and even goals from inside his own half, helping Manchester United win six Premier League titles. His technique and vision compensated for any lack of pace.

Manchester City’s story cannot be told through the modern era alone. The Sheikh Mansour years produced unprecedented success, but the club’s history runs far deeper, with major figures emerging across every era from the early 20th century to the present day.

Across title-winning teams, cup-winning sides and seasons of turbulence, City have always been shaped by players capable of changing games and defining eras. There have been forward leaders, fearless defenders, reliable goalkeepers and midfielders who set standards that lasted for years. Taken together, they form a portrait of a club built on talent as much as silverware.

Among the earliest names is Billy Meredith, whose first spell at City made him the club’s star attraction. He scored 151 goals and was central to the Second Division title win in 1898-99. Tommy Johnson also left a lasting mark, netting 158 league goals and setting a club record with 38 in a single season. Eric Brook, a powerful and explosive striker, became City’s all-time leading scorer with 177 goals, a mark that stood for almost 80 years.

The modern era brought another layer of distinction. Joe Hart provided a dependable presence in goal during the club’s transformation, while Vincent Kompany became both captain and symbol of the rise to dominance. Fernandinho gave the side its balance in midfield, and Ederson changed expectations of what a goalkeeper could do with the ball.

Further forward, Carlos Tévez brought goals and edge, Dennis Tueart supplied flair and one unforgettable overhead kick, and Francis Lee established himself as a relentless scorer in the club’s great 1960s side. Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell, Tony Book and Peter Doherty all helped define successful periods, while Bert Trautmann’s courage and Alan Oakes’ longevity remain central to the club’s identity.

More recently, David Silva, Yaya Touré, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Erling Haaland have all continued that tradition at the highest level. Their impact has helped turn Manchester City into one of the dominant forces of the era, without erasing the scale of what came before.

Xabi Alonso has now taken charge of Chelsea for five Premier League matches, and the first impression has been one of mixed outcomes rather than clear progress. Some of the club’s summer arrivals have barely featured, while others have had enough minutes to show both promise and the limits of what they can offer at this stage.

At the bottom of the list are Emmanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra, both still waiting for their Chelsea debuts after injuries and delayed returns disrupted their starts. Emegha’s early summer work in behind-closed-doors friendlies was cut short, while Palestra, signed for $62 million (£47 million), remains sidelined despite Alonso repeatedly suggesting he would be back soon. For Geovany Quenda, the picture is not much brighter. The 19-year-old has managed only 27 minutes since arriving from Sporting CP, and his path into the side remains blocked across several roles.

Jordan Henderson finally made his first appearance in the fifth game of the season, starting in the 3-0 defeat at Brentford. The veteran’s leadership has been evident, but his real value will be judged by what he produces on the pitch. Valentín Barco, meanwhile, has been used sparingly but has looked steady enough in limited outings, mainly in the Carabao Cup, even if Alonso has preferred other options in midfield.

Emiliano Martínez has brought experience to the goalkeeping role, but he has not dramatically changed Chelsea’s defensive issues. There is still concern after 10 goals were conceded in four games. Maxence Lacroix has been more prominent, and early performances against Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion suggested he could be a key figure, though recent mixed displays have placed him under renewed pressure.

Pep Chavarría has perhaps offered the most encouraging value. Used mainly from the bench, he has settled well and exceeded modest expectations, even if questions remain at both ends of the pitch.