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The Premier League is lucky to have some wonderful full-backs right now. In the current era, wide defenders have a critical role to play in the game. Along with a good work-rate and decent defensive ability, the modern day full-backs are expected to contribute significantly in attack.
Top Premier League clubs have quality full-back pairings
Individually, the full-backs are very important on either flank but it only gets more fun when both the flanks can have a devastating impact. Some of the most successful teams in the history of the game have had quality full-backs.
The Premier League has some fine pairings of full-backs who have played an important role in helping their respective clubs. Without further ado, we'll take a look at some of those amazing right-back and left-back duos in the Premier League right now.
#5 Matty Cash & Matt Targett (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa have done decently well in the Premier League season under the management of Dean Smith. The former Brentford manager has given Villa a new look with their cautious but attacking approach to the game.
With this new style of play, the full-backs have a very critical role to play. Luckily for Villa, both Matt Targett and Matty Cash have done well for them. Targett was arguably one of the finest left-backs in the Premier League last season. His attacking game-play, combined with some smart defending, was important on the left.
Cash has been a surprise in the eyes of many given that he was signed by Villa last season. Since then, the young right-back has been impressive with his fearless and hard-working approach on the right.
Both Cash and Targett recorded two assists in the Premier League last season but that doesn't justify the impactful performances they have given for the club. The young duo remain an interesting pair to witness this season.
#4 Aaron Cresswell & Vladimir Coufal (West Ham United)
David Moyes has done a fabulous job with the Hammers, helping them fight strongly for a place in Europe. The Scottish manager has instilled a fighting spirit in the team and it is clearly evident in the way West Ham United play.
The London club finished sixth in the Premier League last season. One of the highlights of their season was the performance of their full-backs. Vladimir Coufal arrived from Slavia Prague and had an instant impact. The experienced right-back, with his attacking approach, effective tackling and aggression, was quite superb. He recorded seven assists to his name last season.
Aaron Cresswell, on the other hand, has been constantly doing well with the Hammers. With his versatility to play as a left-back, wing-back and also as a centre-back, he has always proven to be useful. The Englishman is very effective with his crosses and set-pieces and can be very handy in attack. The 31-year old too recorded seven assists to his name last season.
This season, Coufal has already recorded one assist to his name and Cresswell has a goal to his name. West Ham United have started on a decent note and will be relying heavily on their full-backs for more productive results in the Premier League.
#3 Cesar Azpilicueta & Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
The new season of the Premier League has seen Chelsea provide some solid performances. The Blues are proving to be a tough team to score against and at the same time very difficult to contain.
One of Thomas Tuchel's team's strongest points is how his full-backs contribute to their game. Cesar Azpilicueta has been a blessing to the Premier League ever since his arrival from Marseille in 2012. He is smart, technically sound, good with his defending and passing, and can provide some fine crosses.
Most importantly, the Spaniard is a very reliable option to have in your backline. Last season, he went on to score once and assist in two other goals. This season, he has already assisted in one of the goals. His full-back partner Marcos Alonso has been a delight to watch, especially in attack.
The former Fiorentina defender is absolutely lethal with his set-pieces and crosses. He has a knack of getting into good positions in the box time and again. Although he is a bit vulnerable on his defensive side, Alonso surely is a very good left-back. Last season, he scored twice while this season he has scored one and assisted in one other goal.
Both Azpilicueta and Alonso form a very good full-back/wing-back partnership. The duo were also seen playing together for Spain at Euro 2020. With the Blues looking really strong at the back, this Spanish partnership on the flanks is going to be an interesting watch.
#2 Joao Cancelo & Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Manchester City have invested a lot of money in their defense, especially under the management of Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard is quite specific about the type of player he wants and it has to be said that he has got some of the finest full-backs in the Premier League.
On any other given day, Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo would be fighting for the right-back spot. But with Benjamin Mendy suspended by City, the spot for the left-back position is wide open. Oleksandr Zinchenko is very smartly used by Pep Guardiola in the Premier League but the frequency has been questionable.
With Cancelo's ability to play both as a right-back and left-back, the Portuguese is preferred over the natural Ukrainian left-back more than often. The former Juventus defender has arguably been one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Courtesy of his fine dribbling skills and amazing passing range, the 27-year old is a threat going forward. He's comfortable using either foot, making him even more dangerous.
Kyle Walker, on the other hand, has always been a danger with his blistering pace and fine ability to contribute in attack. With age, the former Spurs defender has matured into a composed and smart player, adding more value to his game-play. Even at the age of 31, the Englishman looks fit and strong enough to fight aggressively for his place in the first team.
With players like Walker and Cancelo as full-backs, City are a very deadly team to face in the Premier League. Guardiola likes his wide players to contribute time and again and it is only natural that these full-backs will have some useful contributions this season.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold & Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
When you talk about the best full-back partnership, there is no way that you cannot mention the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Roberston. Under Jurgen Klopp's management, the two have blossomed into two of the finest defenders in the Premier League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is arguably one of the best attacking full-backs in the world right now. The Englishman has amazing technique, vision and a beautiful passing range. He's direct with his approach and quite dangerous with his set-pieces. Last season, the English right-back scored twice and assisted in seven other goals. He's already been seen assisting in two goals this season.
Robertson has come a long way in his career from playing for Hull City to winning both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool. Like Alexander-Arnold, the Scottish left-back too is very direct with his approach and effective with his set-pieces. He likes to storm forward and help in the attack. Over the past few years, he has constantly been difficult to mark and handle on the left.
Liverpool are surely grateful to have these two dynamic full-backs. Over time, the duo have looked sharper and tougher to contain. Jurgen Klopp will be counting on his full-backs to continue posing a threat in the opposition half and help in their bid to challenge for the Premier League title this season.
