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When former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on live television, “no one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville,” he was only partly taking a dig at his ex-England colleague. Historically speaking, fullbacks have never really received the attention and adulation that the more glamorous positions further up the field get regularly. However, the game has changed dramatically over the years and fullbacks contribute much more to the game nowadays, making the position a much more attractive prospect.
Although a defender’s primary objective on the field is to keep clean sheets, the modern fullback’s remit goes above and beyond. It is becoming increasingly vital for fullbacks to be able to beat opponents on the wing and make the difference in the final third while also maintaining the energy and concentration to race back and block their opponents’ attacks.
As such, attacking fullbacks can be spotted in almost every Premier League squad these days, and those that can also hold up defensively have now become a true luxury.
Also Read: 5 best centre-backs in the Premier League this season (2019/20)
For this article, however, we’re going to focus on the right side of defence and take a look at the 5 best right-backs in the Premier League this season. Not only have all the players on this list carried out their defensive duties with great aplomb, but have also carried an offensive threat that makes them an integral part of their teams’ success.
#5 George Baldock (Sheffield United)
Few would have paid much attention, if any, to Sheffield United’s promotion to the Premier League at the end of last season, but hardly anyone could have predicted the remarkable success they would go on to enjoy. Under the astute management of Chris Wilder, the Blades have been a revelation this season, having sealed a top-half finish while boasting one of the best defensive records in the league.
Although their unconventional tactics might see one of their three centre-backs marauding down the wing, Baldock, from the right wing-back position, has been one of the key cogs in Sheffield United’s wheel.
Showing incredible energy in running up and down the right flank and no small amount of skill on the ball, Baldock has played his part at both ends of the field in his side’s campaign. The 27-year-old hasn’t missed a single minute of Premier League action all season and has contributed 2 goals and 4 assists from his wing-back role while also playing a part in 13 clean sheets.
#4 Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
In a footballing world dominated by attacking full-backs, Wan-Bissaka is a throwback to a time when defensive capability was the key attribute that a full-back was required to possess. The young Englishman’s defensive expertise, positional sense, calmness when faced with a tricky, direct winger, and almost astounding success rate while tackling proved exactly why he was purchased for £50m.
Wan-Bissaka’s arrival has reinforced the Red Devils’ otherwise leaky backline, with ‘The Spider,’ as he is affectionately known, leads the league in terms of successful tackles made with 124.
While there are few defenders better than him in a one-on-one situation in his own half, Wan-Bissaka’s contribution at the other end has been called into question on occasion. Even so, the former winger has clearly worked on the attacking side of his game over the course of the season and bombs forward with great gusto now, having bagged 4 assists from right-back while helping United keep 11 clean sheets. Still only 22, it’ll be interesting to see how he develops his attacking game in order to blossom into a more complete right-back.
Also check out: the Premier League Winners by season
#3 Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City)
Since his arrival from Porto in the summer of 2018, Pereira has lit up the Premier League with his energy, panache, and aggression in both attack and defence. Comfortable on the ball and strong in the tackle, the 26-year-old Portuguese has added a real dynamism down the Foxes’ right flank.
While he has scored 3 goals and assisted 2 more this season, he has also helped Leicester keep 10 clean sheets while claiming the third spot in terms of successful tackles made this season with 119. This is made even more impressive by the fact that Pereira has missed the entirety of the season post-lockdown, having damaged his knee ligaments earlier on in the season.
Also Read: Top 5 left-backs in the Premier League this season
#2 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Wolves’ longest-serving outfield player, Doherty was singed for well under £100,000 from Ireland’s Bohemians in 2010. He has gone on to become one of the key players in Nuno Espirito Santo’s wonderful Wolves side. Like Baldock, Doherty is also usually deployed in a right wing-back role and is extremely tidy in defence, but it is his attacking threat that makes him truly dangerous.
The excellent timing of his overlapping runs, ability to compete aerially, and excellent crossing ability, ensure that he possesses the complete modern full-back skill-set. The Ireland international has scored 4 and set up 8 more this season (with 12 clean sheets to boot), making him a Fantasy Premier League favourite. However, no stat more comprehensively underlines his importance than the fact that Wolves have lost both games in which Doherty hasn’t featured in this season.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Not many footballers can be described as a right-back-cum-playmaker. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s displays from right-back have been so impressive in recent seasons that the term might have to be introduced into footballing parlance just for him. The youngster offers Liverpool what is potentially the most dangerous attacking outlet in Europe, let alone English football, with his ability to deliver panic-inducing crosses from practically anywhere on the field.
That’s not to forget his incredible ability from dead-ball situations. Alexander-Arnold is more than capable of smashing a free-kick into the top corner, which he has demonstrated on multiple occasions in his fledgling career.
Having made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for most assists by a defender in a single Premier League season over the 2018-19 campaign, Alexander-Arnold promptly broke his own record this season by assisting 13 goals this time around. He also scored 4 for good measure while playing his part in keeping 14 clean sheets.
The fact that Liverpool play with a constant high press suits his style of play perfectly as it allows him to play almost as a second winger, often to devastating effect. His performances have been key to Liverpool’s dominance in England and Europe over the past couple of seasons, and the fact that he’s just 21 and might not even have hit his peak yet is a scary thought for opposition teams.
