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The Premier League is home to some of the best full-backs on the planet. The role of full-backs is difficult to define in the modern era. Whilst their primary duty of shuttling up and down the flanks remains unaltered, their auxiliary responsibilities have undergone several changes.
There are some top quality right-backs in the Premier League
With most teams in the Premier League adopting an expansive style of play, the importance of full-backs has risen. Several teams choose to deploy their full-backs high up the pitch and they are required to help the side in attack.
Obviously, full-backs need to be physically fit and capable of putting in shifts every time they take the pitch. If they don't do their jobs well, their team's attack and defence will suffer. The Premier League is home to some world-class right-backs.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best right-backs in the Premier League this season so far.
#5 Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Kyle Walker has been Manchester City's first-choice at right-back this season. While the Englishman has not been at his best this campaign, he has still done a good job for the Cityzens.
Walker is a pacy right-back who is also a neat passer of the ball. He has a pass completion rate of 88.6% in six Premier League appearances so far. The 31-year-old has also helped his side keep four cleansheets in the Premier League this term.
Walker also fills in as a right-sided centre-back on occasion when Pep chooses to go for a three-at-the-back system.
#4 Vladimir Coufal (West Ham United)
Vladimir Coufal has returned to the side after being sidelined with a groin injury which he picked up in the Carabao Cup game against Manchester United. Coufal has been an important player for the Hammers down the right flank.
He is an adventurous presence on the right wing and has created three big chances already this season. Coufal is mostly positive in possession and always looks to pass the ball forward.
He has made a total of 39 crosses in seven appearances in the Premier League this term and has one assist to his name so far. The 29-year-old has made eight successful tackles, five interceptions and 15 clearances so far this term.
The Czech Republic international has also been effective in aerial duels. He has been quite disciplined as well and is yet to pick up his first yellow card of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
#3 Reece James (Chelsea)
Reece James has established himself as one of the best right-backs in Europe over the course of the last couple of seasons. The Chelsea youngster has been in fine form this term as well, scoring two goals and providing two assists in six Premier League appearances so far this term.
James is tidy in possession and has a pass completion rate of 86.8% and has put in 12 crosses so far this term. He is formidable in defence as well and has been successful with five of his six attempted tackles so far.
The England international is one of the quickest right-backs in England and loves to bomb forward and join the attack. James is still only 21-years-old and has a lot of time to improve and go on to become one of the best in the business.
#2 Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Even though his primary position is at right back, Joao Cancelo has largely been deployed at left-back this season for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has made him play down the left side to accommodate Kyle Walker and the Portuguese international has been exceptional there.
Cancelo is one of the best full-backs in the world. His numbers are otherworldly. The 27-year-old has completed 695 passes with a pass completion rate of 85%. He has whipped in a total of 29 crosses in nine Premier League appearances so far.
He is also excellent at reading the game and has already made a whopping 22 interceptions this term. Cancelo has also made 12 successful tackles and 10 clearances and has also won 18 aerial duels in the 2021-22 season. He has also picked up one assist.
Both of his goals this season, however, have come in the UEFA Champions League.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
While most teams who lack creative midfielders struggle to break down their opponents, Liverpool haven't. This is due to Jurgen Klopp's tactical acumen and the sheer technical brilliance of his full-backs.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best right-backs in the world. He is Liverpool's creator-in-chief and has already provided three assists in seven Premier League appearances in the 2021-22 season.
He has created five big chances so far this term which is incredible for a right-back. Trent possesses an exceptional passing range and his early crosses from the right wing are essential to Liverpool's style of play.
He has whipped in 64 crosses in seven appearances so far. That's close to nine crosses per game. Although his detractors will have you believe that the defensive side of his game is lacking in several departments, his numbers suggest he's pretty good.
The 23-year-old has made 11 interceptions, nine successful tackles, nine clearances and has won eight aerial duels as well.
