Discussing the world’s best right-backs is not something most would’ve considered a few years ago but now a wing-back’s contribution on the pitch has changed. They are no longer “just defenders”, as they contribute hugely to a team’s balance and performance not only in defense but in attack as well. So without further ado, let’s go through some of the best defenders in the world of football right now:
5. Kieran Trippier – Atletico Madrid
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2020/21 Season Stats (All competitions):
Appearances: 35
Assists: 6
Goals: 0
One of the best right-backs in the Spanish League right now is England’s Kieran Trippier. Since joining from Spurs, Trippier has been a crucial part of Simeone’s side defensively as well as attacking. Last season, the 31-year old helped Atletico Madrid climb to the top of the Spanish league by providing six assists. When compared to other players in this list, Trippier isn’t the fastest or strongest but what he’s best at, is his composure in crossing the ball, moving forward and his impeccable positioning.
4. Juan Cuadrado – Juventus
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2020/21 Season Stats (All Competitions):
Appearances: 40
Assists: 19
Goals: 2
At the age of 33, Juan Cuadrado is finally hitting his best form. Since returning to the Italian League after a flop spell at Chelsea, Cuadrado has really hit the ground running as a right-back. Under the management of Allegri, Cuadrado has developed a better sense with the timing of his runs to support the attack. Although Juventus have had a poor start this year in Serie A, Cuadrado has been one of the best-performing players in the current squad.
3. Reece James – Chelsea
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2020/21 Season Stats (All Competitions):
Appearances: 47
Assists: 5
Goals:1
A player that has been improving year on year is Chelsea’s Reece James who makes it to our list of the best right-backs in the world at the moment. You have to give credit to the Chelsea defender who forced his way into the England squad despite the wealth of right-back options Southgate has at his disposal. In Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League glory last season, James showed how solid he is at the back and how smart he is going forward, and has turned into a total asset for this dangerous Chelsea unit.
2. Achraf Hakimi – PSG
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2020/21 Season Stats (All Competitions):
Appearances: 45
Assists: 11
Goals: 7
A player that has currently caught the headlines in European football is 22-year-old Moroccan, Achraf Hakimi. During his time at Inter Milan last season, Hakimi proved to be of the standouts on Conte’s side providing creativity with his key passes and even chipping in with goals. Few things that make him stand out are his exceptional dribbling skills and his speed on the ball which was so impressive that PSG paid 60m Euros for the 22-year-old this summer. Playing alongside the best players in the world like Messi, Neymar, Mbappe and Ramos, he could well be one of the best right-backs in the world for years to come.
1. Trent Alexander Arnold – Liverpool
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2020/21 Season Stats (All Competitions):
Appearances: 45
Assists: 9
Goals: 2
Currently, Trent Alexander Arnold has to go down as the best right-back in the World of Football. His standards have become so high that last season’s seven assists and two goals felt like a disappointment. His 1.9 average crosses per game is the joint second-best in the Premier League and his return to form last season coincided with Liverpool’s improbable end-of-season run where they finished the season with 10 straight wins. In the season in which Liverpool was crowned as PL Champions, he provided a total of 13 assists which we believe is a big number for a right back. Alexander Arnold remains the only player in the English top-flight who can rival Kevin De Bruyne for pure delivery. He’s a class act!
[Image Credit: Trent Alexander Arnold]
Shashank Iyer