SK Awards: La Liga - 5 Best Fullbacks of the Season 

FC Barcelona v Levante UD - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Levante UD - La Liga

Barcelona has once again exerted their dominance over the Spanish league after winning their 26th La Liga Santander title and second consecutive time under Ernesto Valverde with 3 matches to spare. There was more joy for the Blaugrana after they finished 19 points above their arch-rivals Real Madrid, the biggest point difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Lionel Messi was once again the player of the season in La Liga after scoring 36 goals and providing 13 assists in the season.


5. Sergio Escudero - Sevilla

Sevilla v Ujpest - UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round: 1st leg
Sevilla v Ujpest - UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round: 1st leg

Sergio Escudero started his season very late after an elbow injury in the second match week kept him out for almost two months. The 29-year old along with former Manchester City man Jesus Navas formed one of the best full back combinations in the league this season.

Sergio Escudero made 21 appearances (18 starts) in the La Liga due to an elbow injury during the opening half and a muscle injury towards the rear end of the season ruling him out for 12 matches. The versatile defender averaged 2 tackles, 1.1 interceptions 1.8 clearances and 0.8 dribbles per match.

The 29-year old also chipped in with an assist and averaged 0.3 crosses and 35.4 passes per match at a success rate of 81%.

Sergio Escudero helped keep 6 clean sheets for Sevilla this season and conceded 25 goals.

4. Cristiano Piccini - Valencia

It has been an impressive debut season for Piccini.
It has been an impressive debut season for Piccini.

It has been an impressive debut season for Cristiano Piccini who joined Valencia from Sporting CP this season. After starting the season poorly, Piccini slowly found his feet as he helped Valencia overturn a poor start to the season to finish fourth in the league.

Cristiano Piccini made 23 appearances (21 starts) in the league this season averaging 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 2.5 clearances and 0.6 dribbles per match. The 26-year old also has a goal to his name and has averaged 0.5 crosses and 33.5 passes per match at a pass success rate of 78.5%.

3. Jesus Navas - Sevilla

Jesus Navas has seemingly eased into his role as a full back \]
Jesus Navas has seemingly eased into his role as a full back \]

It has been a season of renaissance for former Manchester City winger turned full-back, Jesus Navas. The 33-year old had an exceptional season playing right back for his boyhood club almost helping the Andalusian side in qualifying to the Champions League after a brilliant first half of the season.

Jesus Navas has made 32 appearances (31 starts) in the league averaging 0.9 tackles 0.9 interceptions 1.6 clearances and 0.3 dribbles per match. The 33-year old has also averaged 1.3 crosses and 44.3 average passes per match and has a pass success rate of 77%.

Jesus Navas also chipped in with a goal and 5 assists.

2. Jose Luis Gaya - Valencia

The Valencia man has once again been spectacular for the Bats.
The Valencia man has once again been spectacular for the Bats.

Jose Luis Gaya was an ever-present figure in the Valencia defensive lineup last season. The 24-year old played a key role in getting Valencia back to a Champions League position after a poor start.

Jose Luis Gaya averaged 2.1 long balls, 0.6 crosses and 41.5 passes per match at a success rate of 41.5. The Valencia Academy product's defensive stats though made him stand above the rest having averaged 2.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions 2.7 clearances and 0.2 blocks per match.

The 24-year old made 35 appearances in the league (35 starts) and has a goal and an assist to his name.

The Valencia academy product also signed a long term contract to snub interest from big European club to stay with his boyhood club.

1. Jordi Alba - Barcelona

One of the best in the world at his position.
One of the best in the world at his position.

Jordi Alba continues to hold on to the best in the league tag another consistent performance this season. The 30-year old has once again been an ever-present figure in the Blaugrana starting XI, helping his side cruise to their 26th La Liga title.

Jordi Alba made 36 appearances (32 starts) in the league this season averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 clearances and 0.8 dribbles per match. His passing statistics make for good reading as he averages 65.6 passes per match at a completion rate of 85.6

The Spanish international offensive stats are equally impressive with 2 goals and 8 assists to his name while averaging 0.4 shots, 1.3 key passes and 0.4 dribbles per match.

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Edited by Sai Teja