Left Back: Leighton Baines

Coauthored by Seth Johnson and Stephen Kirchner

Obtained from Google search “Leighton Baines,” labeled for noncommercial reuse

Height: 170 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Senior Experience: 2002-present

Caps: 30

Club: Everton (English Premier League)

Season Statistics: 0 Goals; 1 Assist; 34 Tackles

Role and Projected Tournament Outlook:

After a rough and tumble season with his club at Everton, Leighton Baines is poised to take a starting spot in the English backline in the upcoming Euros. Baines, 31, missed seven months due to a serious ankle injury that required surgery and was kept off of the first-team in Everton as a result, but was poised to return this spring for the squad (Bernstein, 2016). But to the dismay of many of the Everton faithful, a clash with manager Roberto Martinez has kept Baines at bay for much of the season’s conclusion (Bretland, 2016).

Despite the drama surrounding his club, Baines is set to start in the English backline as the Three Lions’ premier left back for the European championships (Bernstein, 2016). With 30 caps in his international career and three games under his belt in the qualifying phase this year, the defender is set up to return for Hodgson and hold the back third (UEFA, 2016). Although his ankle injury is a concern for some, his time on the pitch for Everton this season—recording 34 tackles in his limited minutes—has shown that he is back in full form and ready to make the starting XI for his national squad once again.

How to cite this article: “Left Back: Leighton Baines” Written by Seth Johnson and Stephen Kirchner (2016), European Cup 2016 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/european-cup-2016-guide/english-national-team/englands-projecting-starting-xi/left-back-leighton-baines/ (accessed on (date)).