5 best right-backs in the Premier League this season (2020-21)

Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold.

#3 Recce James

Reece James.
Reece James.

England international right-back Reece James has so impressive in recent games, that he has actually kept Cesar Azpilicueta out of the Chelsea first team. The Blues have also been brilliant in recent games, and James was at his best during a 2-0 blanking of Newcastle this weekend.

James has the pace and skills to be one of the best in his position. With one goal and an assist to his name in the league this season, he has already shown that he is adept at both ends of the pitch.

#2 Timothy Castagne

Timothy Castagne
Timothy Castagne

Leicester City looked abject against Liverpool in a 3-0 defeat and were often left exposed down the right channel by Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson. It was a telling frailty because they were missing one of their stars through injury at Anfield, Belgian right-back Timothy Castagne.

Castagne joined Leicester after a spell at Atalanta and has made an immediate impact for the Foxes in the Premier League. Brendan Rodger's system relies heavily on lightning-quick counters, through which strikers like Jamie Vardy can thrive. Fullbacks are essential to such a system and Castagne, with one goal and two assists, fits in perfectly.

#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool owes a lot to their fullbacks for their recent successes. Like Andy Robertson on the other flank, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a revelation down the right for the Reds in the last two seasons. He played a significant role in the club as they became European and English champions.

Alexander-Arnold's whipping crosses and pinpoint delivery is up there with the best wingers in the game and his pace down the wing adds more value to his game.

In many ways, he is one of Liverpool's primary creative outlets and his set-piece ability is another advantage. Alexander-Arnold is also more than capable of tracking back when required, but it is his attacking prowess that makes him stand out.

Even though James Milner did an excellent job at right-back against Leicester, Liverpool missed that X-factor that Alexander-Arnold brings to the team. They will also be hoping he is back in their lineup sooner rather than later.

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