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The Premier League has given us some truly breathtaking wide players since its inaugural season in 1992–93.
The left flank has arguably garnered more attention over the decades, boasting legends like Ryan Giggs and Eden Hazard, along with modern icons such as Sadio Mané. Yet the right side has been far from lacking in quality.
Some were lethal goalscorers, others were gifted creators, and a few simply made defenders' weekends a nightmare. What unites them all is an enduring impact on the right wing of England's top division.
So, without further ado, here are Sports Illustrated's 10 greatest right wingers in Premier League history.
How We Ranked the Premier League's Greatest Right Wingers
Peak & Longevity—How exceptional was the player at his very best, how long did he sustain that level and how reliably did he perform throughout his Premier League career?
Ability—Wingers are entertainers just as much as they are contributors. Dribbling, speed, technique, creativity, finishing, crossing, movement and the capacity to beat a defender all weigh heavily.
Legacy—Trophies and personal accolades matter, but so do iconic moments, influence, longevity and the impression each player left on his club and the Premier League as a whole.
10. Juan Mata
The fact that a player as gifted as Juan Mata never managed to win a Premier League title throughout his career is remarkable, yet there is no questioning just how brilliant the Spaniard was.
Chelsea had taken notice of his growing influence at Valencia, and it didn't take long for Fernando Torres to convince his compatriot that the Premier League was the right destination, despite its heightened physicality. Mata adapted seamlessly, taking to the league with remarkable ease.
He was voted Chelsea's Player of the Year in each of his first two seasons and ended the 2012–13 campaign as the top assist provider in the Premier League. Somewhat surprisingly, he left Chelsea the following year, joining a Manchester United side that were about to enter an unexpected decline in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Nonetheless, Mata's creativity continued to shine for years afterward, frequently producing moments of brilliance to spark United into life—few more memorable than his exquisitely finished goal at Liverpool in March 2015.
9. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka's career is still in its early stages, yet his rapid emergence at Arsenal has made it feel as though he's been a fixture for years.
A Premier League champion and key figure in Arsenal's resurgence under Mikel Arteta, Saka has already accumulated over 100 combined goals and assists in the competition, cementing himself as one of the top flight's most dangerous attacking weapons.
Much like the great Arjen Robben, his signature move is hardly a mystery. Saka thrives on receiving the ball on the right, cutting inside onto his left foot and driving at goal. Predictable? Possibly. Easy to contain? Absolutely not.
8. Steve McManaman
You don't spend four years as a regular in Real Madrid's starting lineup without being a truly special player—and Steve McManaman certainly was. It was his displays for boyhood club Liverpool that earned him a move to the Santiago Bernabéu in 1999, where he would go on to claim two Champions League medals.
At Liverpool, McManaman was a wonderfully graceful and dynamic wide player, blending silky dribbling with impressive two-footedness that enabled him to beat defenders on both sides—bursting past them or cutting inside with equal ease. He also had a talent for arriving in threatening positions and chipping in with goals.
He wrapped up his Premier League career with 41 goals and 59 assists, though some of those contributions came during his largely unremarkable late stint with Manchester City.
7. Freddie Ljungberg
Calvin Klein model. Premier League star. Freddie Ljungberg truly was the complete package.
Of course, we're focusing on his football career—not the underwear campaigns—and there is much to appreciate. Equipped with intelligent movement, astute positioning and a gift for late runs into the box, the Swedish winger was among the Premier League's most dangerous wide players for the better part of a decade.
He was also one of Arsenal's shrewdest pieces of business. Signed from Swedish side Halmstads for just £3 million ($4 million), Ljungberg went on to score 72 goals and contribute 40 assists across all competitions for the Gunners. In doing so, he claimed two Premier League titles, became part of the iconic Invincibles squad and was crowned the league's Player of the Season in 2001–02.
6. Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling announced himself at Liverpool, forming a fearsome attacking trio alongside Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge. But it was following his high-profile move to Manchester City—driven by his decision not to extend his contract—that he truly reached his potential.
Under Pep Guardiola's guidance in particular, Sterling became the complete player. He dismantled defenses with his attacking play—racing to the byline at pace or slipping inside the fullback with a sharp, incisive run—and developed into a consistent goalscorer as City tightened their grip on the Premier League.
The fluidity of his combinations with Sergio Agüero, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sané was a genuine pleasure to watch, and it came as little surprise when he was awarded the FWA Footballer of the Year honour in 2018–19.