'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Kieran Trippier | Atletico de Madrid
English full-back Kieran Trippier raised eyebrows when he announced his move to Atletico Madrid after the 2018/19 campaign with Tottenham Hotspur. The defender opted for a rather unusual route as he became only the 20th British player to move to LaLiga Santander and Atleti's first in nearly a century. The Rojiblancos paid £20m for him and it has, so far, proved to be a great piece of business for them.
Trippier quickly became Simeone's preferred right-back/wing-back and his ability to deliver crosses from deep has helped his side greatly. This season, Trippier — who was banned for ten weeks for breaching the FA's betting rules — managed to register more assists (six) than any LaLiga defender despite starting just 18 times.
The 30-year-old has been vital for Simeone's side and also starred for England during their Nations League campaign, gathering over 400 minutes of action for Gareth Southgate's side. Trippier was quickly reinstated as first-choice right-back at Atleti upon his return and started all seven UCL games when available. He could go on to win the first league title of his career with the capital club this year.
#2 Achraf Hakimi | Internazionale
Many expected Achraf Hakimi to return to the Santiago Bernabeu to challenge Dani Carvajal for the right-back spot at Real Madrid. However, Hakimi opted to move to Inter Milan instead and has gone on to establish himself as one of the most impressive wing-backs in football at the moment.
The Moroccan has always been regarded as one of the most promising wide defenders in Europe because of his displays for Borussia Dortmund, but at Inter, he's taken it up by a notch. Antonio Conte's systems over the years have relied heavily upon the ability of his wing-backs and Hakimi has been the biggest beneficiary of the Italian's approach.
With six goals and four assists in Serie A alone, the 22-year-old has been involved in more league goals than anyone on this list and is no slouch in terms of defensive contribution either. Hakimi's €40m move away from his boyhood club has turned out to be a superb decision for the full-back so far and he could go onto develop even more under a tactician such as Conte.
#1 Joao Cancelo | Manchester City
Who else but Manchester City's brilliant Portuguese was expected to top this list? Joao Cancelo has been on a level above most of Europe's wide defenders this season, let alone right-sided ones. The 26-year-old barely managed to feature in the Cityzens' previous league campaign since moving from Juventus but has been an undroppable figure for them this year.
It is not an underestimation in the slightest to say that Cancelo has covered every blade of grass for City in 2020/21, chipping in with two goals and five assists as well. He has featured in a variety of roles, including that of a supporting playmaker in midfield. However, the majority of his games (16, to be precise) on the right-hand side of the defence, which earns him a place on this list.
Cancelo's unique skillset — including the ability to invert as a midfielder which showcase his close control, passing range, and tactical awareness — has made him an indispensable asset for Guardiola and City. He is, by some distance, the most complete player on this list and the most spectacular right-back in Europe at the moment.
Also read: 5 Greatest players to never win the Premier League title
