The Kirkby born, adopted Evertonian re-defined the role of the left-back during his 16 years in the Premier league. He created the modern day overlapping fullback while at Everton, evolving the role of a left-back to be offensive and provide width on the counter. The successes of Joao Cancelo, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcos Alonso are the protégé of Baines, who demonstrated to managers the effectiveness of a goalscoring defender.
The England defender; made the left-back a stylish and expressive position with his Mancunian Gallagher brothers esc hair and that sweet left-foot of his. Before him, the full-back was merely a no-nonsense, defensive ally who supported the centre-backs and rarely ventured forward. However, the 38 year old showed that defenders had flair, by taking penalties, free-kicks and advancing forward to score goals at the back post.
He debuted for Wigan Athletic in 2002, earning the Lactic's promotion to the Championship in his first season. Shortly afterwards, he steered the Greater Manchester side to automatic promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history. The leap up to the Premier League did not affect the then 20 year old and he continued to shine, which attracted the interest of several clubs such as Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal.
After reaching the 2006 League Cup final against Manchester United, which Wigan lost, he was the subject of a £6m bid from Sunderland the following summer. Although, Baines rejected the move and instead held out to join boyhood club Everton for £5m plus add-ons.
He was apart of a high-flying, Europe chasing Everton side who had a strong and experienced back-line including Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo and Joelon Lescot. Eventually David Moyes granted Baines his chance in the starting 11 and he cemented his position, becoming an integral regular at Goodison Park.
Each season, the defender capped 30 times by England, continued to improve and in the 2010-11 season he played every minute of Everton's 38 league games and he became the club's player of the year. The former Everton academy player also received the player's player of the year award and the goal of the season; a left-footed peach of a free-kick against Chelsea.
He was a technically gifted individual who was lethal from set-pieces, throughout his Premier League career he scored 5 free-kicks and an Everton record 25 penalties, with an 89% success rate.
The following season, he reached new heights as he became the first Toffees player to be included in the Premier Team of the season, since Neville Southall 22 years ago. This generated serious interest from Manchester United, but the Merseyside hero remained at Everton who shared a special place in his heart.
The 2012-13 season saw him included in the Premier League team of the season for a second consecutive year and he finished the year creating the most chances in all of Europe's top five leagues (116).
He became a record-breaker in the Blue of Everton, during their prime years of the Premier League era. He was the first Premier League player to have a 100% penalty record with his first 10 penalties.
After signing a new four year deal in January 2014, he went on to create the most assists for a defender in the Premier League (45) and in 2015 his 30 goals, made him the third highest scoring defender of all time.
What made him a cult hero for Everton fans was his humble nature and loyalty to the club, he rarely got injured and was a workhorse on the pitch. This passion and love that he gave to his club, was rescinded in his relationship with the fans who adored him and he beckoned the respect from his teammates too.
In November 2017, he became Everton's leading Premier league penalty scorer and even when record £28m signing Romelu Lukaku arrived at Goodison Park, the number nine honoured Baines, who stayed on spot-kicks until he retired.
He finished his amazing career at the end of the 2019-20 season, when he hanged up his boots after 13 years at Everton, making a total of 420 Premier league appearances and finishing with 32 goals and 53 assists.
The only unfortunate blemish in a wonderful career, was his England exclusion, where in his short-lived five years he was second-best to Ashley Cole. He was reminiscent of Trent Alexander-Arnold for England, a creative influence unappreciated by a defensive-minded managerial system.
Leighton Baines, is one of the Premier League's greatest ever left-backs and yet he often goes under the radar, possibly because of his lack of silverware. But, if anything this makes the maverick even more unforgettable, because he left such a long-lasting legacy without needing to move to an elite club. He had the choice to join Sir Alex Ferguson's treble winning Red Devils, but instead he remained loyal to a club who he knew appreciated him and who he gave everything for.
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