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#3 David Alaba - Real Madrid
From a flying left-back to a responsible centre-back, David Alaba seems to be an expert at juggling his contrasting personalities. The Austrian international can diffuse tense situations with ease and can also surge ahead alongside forwards in search of a goal. He is arguably the only player who could have filled in for Sergio Ramos right now, and Real Madrid are lucky to have him.
Having spent over a decade at Bayern, Alaba moved to Madrid in the summer of 2021. With Ramos and Raphael Varane gone, Alaba has primarily played as a centre-back for Real Madrid this season. But that has not stopped him from displaying his world-class passing range.
Alaba is a master at playing out from the back and he does so with the help of short and accurate exchanges with his teammates. He also loves to go long and spread the ball to the flanks.
To top it off, Alaba is an excellent set-piece taker and has become Real Madrid’s go-to man for close-range free-kicks.
#2 Joao Cancelo - Manchester City
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has always been fond of defenders who can play out easily from the back. Currently, Joao Cancelo is his favorite pupil, making his coach proud with immense work rate and exemplary passing range.
Capable of performing on either flank, Cancelo loves to play little one-twos with Manchester City midfielders in order to advance. The Portuguese looks right at home playing in the final third of the pitch and has a knack for putting in inviting crosses into the area.
Cancelo also packs a thunderous right foot and is never shy of having a go at goal.
This season alone, Cancelo has scored three goals and provided seven assists, emerging as one of the best full-backs in the world.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing range could give the best midfielders a run for their money, let alone defenders. The Englishman uses his pace and short-passing skills to get out of tricky situations and can provide inch-perfect long balls to start a counter-attack.
Alexander-Arnold loves to dash down the right-hand channel and whip in a cross into the area. When the box is too crowded, he tends to cut in and play little one-twos with the Liverpool forwards to open up space.
The England international also shares a telepathic connection with Mohamed Salah and the two combine regularly to make a tangible impact on the scoreline.
The 23-year-old has managed to put 11 assists to his name this season, becoming the only Premier League player to provide 10-plus assists across all competitions.
