The evolution of football tactics has brought about a renaissance in the role of right backs, transforming them from just defenders to indispensable playmakers on the pitch.
In an era where versatility reigns supreme, these players are no longer confined to the sidelines but instead serve as linchpins in both defensive solidity and offensive creativity.
As the game continues to evolve, right backs have emerged as dynamic forces, seamlessly blending defensive prowess with attacking flair.
- What Is A Right Back In Football?
- 1. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
- 2. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
- 3. Joao Cancelo (Barcelona)
- 4. Kyle Walker (Newcastle)
- 5. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayern Leverkusen)
- 6. Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
- 7. Tino Livramento (Newcastle)
- 8. Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
- 9. Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
- 10. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
- Other Best Right Backs In 2024
What Is A Right Back In Football?
In football, a right back, also known as a right full-back or simply a right-back, is a defensive player positioned on the right-hand side of the field, normally in the defensive line.
Their primary role is to defend against opposing players attacking down the left flank of the field and to support their team’s defense in general. Right backs are responsible for marking opposing wingers or attackers, intercepting passes, making tackles, and preventing crosses into their team’s penalty area.
Modern football often requires right backs to contribute offensively as well.
They may overlap with midfielders or wingers to provide width to their team’s attack, deliver crosses into the opposing penalty area, or even score goals themselves.
Thus, right backs need to possess a combination of defensive solidity, tactical awareness, physicality, and attacking ability to excel in their position.
In today’s football, the pool of talented right backs is unprecedented, borrowing a leaf from the greatest right back in soccer history. Sorting through and ranking the top 10 was certainly a challenge.
Nevertheless, we’ve given it a good go.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
T-A-A has completely changed how we see modern defenders.
In his early career, he became one of the Premier League’s most creative players by setting up goals with his precise crosses and free kicks.
He’s got great passing skills, honed from his time as a midfielder in Liverpool’s youth academy, and has been their go-to guy for set pieces since 2017–18.
His technique for taking set pieces, where he steps back three times and then to the right, has drawn comparisons to former rugby star Jonny Wilkinson.
In the 2018–19 Champions League semi-final, he earned praise from Gary Lineker and Cesc Fàbregas for his quick thinking, setting up the winning goal with a fast corner kick while the opposing players weren’t paying attention.
Despite any defensive shortcomings, his ability to create scoring opportunities far outweighs them. His introduction to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team was a big part of their rapid improvement under the passionate German coach.
As Liverpool looks to keep evolving, Alexander-Arnold’s role shifted more towards attack in the second half of the 2022/23 season. He made headlines with some amazing assists and playmaking skills.
2. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
When Hakimi signed for Borussia Dortmund, he was described as a speedy, dynamic, and strong right-sided player, capable of attacking as a full-back or wing-back.
He’s skilled both tactically and technically, able to make accurate long passes from defense. Trained as a winger, his physical presence allows him to also play as a defender.
His move to Inter Milan under Antonio Conte was a perfect fit. Hakimi played a crucial role in Conte’s tactical setup as Inter won the 2020/21 Serie A title, showcasing his abilities on the field.
However, with changes in Inter’s squad, Hakimi had to find a new home for the 2021/22 season. Paris Saint-Germain swooped in, and Hakimi adapted to playing in a traditional back four once again.
Hakimi is known for his exceptional athleticism, with sprinter-like speed, and he’s becoming increasingly adept at making decisive passes. His attacking skills are balanced by a solid defensive game.
3. Joao Cancelo (Barcelona)
Joao Cancelo’s skill with the ball is truly remarkable, often leaving spectators in disbelief. However, his recent decline is puzzling considering his immense talent.
Cancelo brings an element of unpredictability to the game with his raw style of play. While he may not be the strongest defensively, his abilities in possession are extraordinary.
Known for his speed, energy, and attacking prowess, Cancelo is admired for his technique, dribbling skills, creativity, and crossing ability. He can play as a full-back or winger on either side, though he typically operates on the right.
During his tenure at Manchester City, he was regarded as one of Europe’s top full-backs.
Despite his offensive strengths, Cancelo’s tactical awareness, positioning, and defensive capabilities have been criticized in the media. However, he excels in timing his forward runs and prefers to receive the ball to his feet rather than making overlapping runs.
On the ball, Cancelo is equally adept at cutting inside or going around the outside, often utilizing his weaker left foot for crosses or driving inside to link up with teammates.
Cancelo’s speed allows him to recover quickly during defensive transitions, and he remains vigilant about covering the space he leaves behind when attacking.
After a challenging debut season at Manchester City, Cancelo bounced back in his second year to become a regular in Pep Guardiola’s lineup.
His ability to evade pressure, create scoring opportunities from impossible angles, and combine effectively against opponents made him indispensable for City.
However, despite his importance, Cancelo’s time at City became unsettled, leading to a loan move to Bayern Munich that didn’t yield positive results. His stint at Barcelona hasn’t been much better, indicating ongoing struggles for the talented full-back.
4. Kyle Walker (Newcastle)
Before Mauricio Pochettino arrived at White Hart Lane, Kyle Walker was considered quite raw.
However, under the guidance of the disciplined Argentine, Walker transformed into one of the most well-rounded right-backs in the world.
Walker’s ability to thrive in Pep Guardiola’s meticulous system speaks volumes about his quality. Renowned for his speed and strength, he has been singled out by stars like Neymar and Eden Hazard as one of the toughest opponents they’ve faced.
His contributions have been pivotal to Manchester City’s recent success, earning praise from both current and former teammates who consider him among the world’s best fullbacks.
A formidable defender, Walker excels in one-on-one situations, making tackles and interceptions with ease.
His defensive prowess is further complemented by his astute reading of the game and ability to anticipate opposition attacks.
While he was once heavily involved in City’s attacking play, Walker’s role has evolved to focus more on thwarting counter-attacks and ensuring midfield dominance when in possession.
Despite this shift, Walker’s importance to City’s achievements cannot be overstated. His recovery speed and technical proficiency remain crucial to the team’s success.
He played crucial roles during City’s treble-winning campaign, solidifying his status as one of England’s finest full-backs of all time.
5. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayern Leverkusen)
Jeremie Frimpong’s journey from the youth ranks of Manchester City to the fields of Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen has been one of promise and excitement.
Having crossed paths with talents like Jadon Sancho during his time at Manchester City’s academy, Frimpong made a name for himself as a fan favorite at Celtic before making the move to Bayer Leverkusen, where he has thrived in the expansive spaces of the Bundesliga.
Frimpong’s style of play often draws comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he predominantly operates as an attacking full-back, sometimes neglecting defensive duties in his eagerness to contribute going forward.
However, his dynamic performances, characterized by bold runs, assists, and goals, are a delight for spectators.
While some may highlight Frimpong’s defensive shortcomings as an area for improvement, Xabi Alonso’s system at Bayer Leverkusen prioritizes Frimpong’s offensive capabilities, providing him with the freedom to attack without constant defensive obligations.
Frimpong faces fewer defensive challenges compared to other full-backs.
However, if Frimpong were to transition to a team that employs a traditional back-four formation, his defensive responsibilities would likely increase, potentially impacting his attacking output.
Nonetheless, Frimpong’s talent and potential remain evident, and his development as a complete full-back is a storyline worth following.
6. Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
Nahuel Molina has secured the 6th spot in the list of the Best Right Backs in the World, showing his skills for both Atlético Madrid in La Liga and the Argentina national team.
His journey in football began with Barça Juniors Luján, a project linked to FC Barcelona in Argentina, before making his debut for Boca Juniors in 2016.
Molina’s defensive abilities have shone since joining Atlético Madrid.
His knack for reading the game and positioning himself effectively has bolstered the team’s defense significantly. Molina’s sharp awareness allows him to intercept passes and halt opposing attacks before they become dangerous.
Although he’s majorly recognized for his defensive prowess, he offers more than just stability at the back.
His impressive ball control, especially with both feet, enables him to contribute effectively to Atlético’s offensive play. Molina’s runs down the right flank provide width and drive, stretching opposition defenses and creating opportunities for his teammates in the final third.
Diego Simeone, Atlético’s coach, has adeptly incorporated Molina into the team’s tactics, leveraging his strengths to improve overall performance.
His defensive reliability has allowed Simeone to adopt a more aggressive pressing style, putting pressure on opponents high up the pitch and swiftly regaining possession.
7. Tino Livramento (Newcastle)
Livramento has earned the 7th spot among the Best Right Backs in the World, currently showing his talents as a full-back for Newcastle United in the Premier League.
He initially made a name for himself at Chelsea, where he was awarded the Academy Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season.
His exceptional performances caught the eye of Newcastle United, leading to his transfer to the club. Livramento signed a five-year contract for a reported initial fee of £32 million, with an additional £8 million in add-ons.
There’s widespread speculation that Livramento is being groomed as the long-term successor to Kieran Trippier. A closer examination of Livramento’s ball carries reveals a notable difference between him and Trippier.
Livramento has proved proficiency in progressing the ball into the final third, with an impressive success rate of 86.3% from 336 such carries.
Unlike Trippier, who relies more on his movement to find space in the final third, Livramento often creates space for himself and looks to drive forward with the ball.
Against teams employing a deep defensive block, Livramento’s introduction off the bench injects pace and unpredictability into Newcastle’s build-up play, providing manager Eddie Howe with an additional tactical option.
In terms of defensive contributions, Livramento has an average of 5.41 tackles and interceptions per ninety minutes in his last full season, surpassing Trippier’s 4.16. Also, he succeeds in defending against take-on 18% more effectively than Trippier.
While Livramento’s aggressive defensive approach has its drawbacks, his balance and recovery speed make him well-suited to Howe’s system.
He’s adept at pressing high up the pitch to regain possession, and his ability to recover quickly provides added security in defensive transitions.
8. Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
Pedro Porro faced a tough start at Tottenham, arriving during a turbulent period under Antonio Conte’s management. However, he has since flourished under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance, showcasing his quality with impressive performances.
Porro’s attacking prowess is evident in his ability to create opportunities for his team. He frequently uses his dribbling skills to bypass defenders and move into dangerous areas, often opting to deliver accurate crosses to his teammates.
In fact, he leads the Premier League in cross production, averaging 5.57 crosses per 90 minutes, with a commendable success rate of 33.33%.
What sets Porro apart is his unpredictability on the wings.
He’s equally comfortable driving down the line to deliver crosses or cutting inside onto his weaker left foot. Despite his preference for his right foot, Porro is capable of delivering precise ground passes and through balls when needed.
His versatility and adaptability make him a valuable asset in Tottenham’s attacking arsenal, providing a constant threat to opposition defenses.
Dani Carvajal: Los Blancos Best Right Back, Made In Leverkusen
9. Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
From his humble beginnings at Burnley to donning the colors of Madrid, Kieran Trippier’s football journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Now back in the Premier League with Newcastle United, Trippier has been a linchpin in their Champions League qualification campaign. At 32, he continues to shine under the management of Eddie Howe, establishing himself as one of the league’s standout performers.
Trippier’s defensive prowess has been instrumental in Newcastle’s success, with the team boasting the fewest goals conceded and the third-lowest expected goals conceded rating in the league.
His partnership with Miguel Almiron on the right flank has been particularly potent, contributing to the team’s attacking threat.
In addition to his defensive duties, Trippier’s expertise at set pieces has been invaluable.
His precision delivery from corners has played a significant role in Newcastle’s attacking strategy, leading to the highest expected goals from corners in the Premier League this season.
Whether it’s delivering in-swingers, out-swingers, or short corners, he consistently finds his target with accuracy and efficiency.
His technical prowess, especially from dead-ball situations, has earned him accolades both at club and international level, with Gareth Southgate often favoring him for the England national team due to his versatility and reliability.
10. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
Often dubbed the “Flying Dutchman,” emerged as a standout performer for the Netherlands during Euro 2020, despite the team’s overall disappointment.
His impressive performances continued as he took on the challenging role of replacing Achraf Hakimi at Inter Milan.
Having made a name for himself at PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, hE further elevated his status with a move to Milan. Under coach Simone Inzaghi, Dumfries has been deployed as a versatile wing-back, often acting as an auxiliary winger.
His role primarily focuses on staying wide and providing attacking support, rarely venturing into central defensive zones unless tracking back or covering for his teammates.
This positioning allows him to actively participate in his team’s build-up play and contribute to attacking movements.
Dumfries’s attacking prowess is evident in his impressive statistics from last season, which include 6 assists, an average of 1.4 key passes per game, and setting up 10 big chances for his teammates.
He isn’t shy about taking shots on goal either, with a respectable 37.5% shooting accuracy.
While he may not possess the most polished technique, he compensates with his physical presence and unstoppable drive when in form.
With the guidance of Inzaghi, his attacking numbers are expected to continue flourishing as he cements his place as a key player for Inter Milan.
Other Best Right Backs In 2024
- Dani Carvajal
- Reece James
- Juan Foyth
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo
- Benjamin Pavard
- Ben White
- Diogo Dalot
- Yan Couto
- Davide Calabria
- Lutsharel Geertruida
- Matty Cash
- Matteo Darmian
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Vladimir Coufal
- Serge Aurier
- Oscar de Marcos
- Malo Gusto
- Aaron Hickey
You Might Also Want To Read This
- Top 10 Best Left Back In The World 2024
- Top 10 Attacking Midfielders In The World 2024
- Top 10 Defensive Midfielders In The World 2024
- Leeds United’s 10 Greatest Players Of All Time
- Aston Villa’s 10 Greatest Players Of All Time
- 8 Football Clubs That Have Suffered Deep Decline
- The Number 10 In Soccer – Why It’s So Special
- 10 Of The Greatest Danish Players Of All Time
- 10 Of The Greatest Irish Soccer Players Of All Time
