Gone are those years when defenders are used mainly to guard their backline while the attackers alone go up front to get the goals. Football has changed immensely and it has become more enterprising. Right now, defenders do not only shield their goal post but even help the midfielders and strikers to score goals aplenty.
Right from the English Premier League, to the rest of the European top 5 leagues, the work of the right-backs has been special to every football playing team hence the need to celebrate every right back in the world as we did 3-years ago. Sit back, relax and enjoy the top 10 right-backs in the world right now.
10. Nelson Semedo (Portugal and Barcelona)
Sitting in the 10th place on our list of the world’s best right-back is Barcelona and Portuguese sensation, Nelson Semedo. The 26-year-old came into limelight in the summer of 2017, having enjoyed a scintillating experience in Benfica for a couple of years.
When he came to the Catalan club, he faced stiff competition for the back position from Sergi Roberto – a player who was sharp on the attack, and nimble running back towards defense. But in Semedo, Barca has a more composed skillful and disciplined right-back. At a younger age, he obviously has better years ahead in his career.
9 Ricardo Pereira (Portugal and Leicester)
The 25-year-old Portugal international was tagged as the ‘perfect player‘ by Leicester’s ex-manager, Claude Puel after a rich vein of form. Pereira notched up two goals and six assists in his debut season for the foxes.
Known for his dribbling ability and maximum strength on and off the ball; He’s ranked among the players with a higher percentage of tackles for Leicester. He has so far proved to be just as effective in and around the back four. Averaged to intercept oppositional play the most in the squad after Wilfred Ndidi. Pereira is a perfect example of modern right-back.
8. Joao Cancelo (Portugal and Manchester City)
Cancelo is a well-known name in the transfer market at this moment. The Portuguese right-back joined Juventus in summer of 2018 and played some exceptional game in last season before making another big-money move to Manchester City
Cancelo is a dogged defender with an extremely brilliant record of good passes and crossing. He even switches flanks from right-back position to left-back to make the attack more strong – little wonder Pep went out of his way to get his signature.
7. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Borussia Dortmund)
This is the only African in this list and at the age of 20, the future certainly looks bright for the Moroccan international. The speedster couldn’t dethrone Dani Carvajal at Real Madrid but made headway after his exodus from the Los Blancos.
Outside of his speed, Hakimi is also keen being in the build-up to every goal his team scores on the attack as he’s always found bursting forward with amazing runs. He averaged 99.3 touches per match in his opening season, bested only by Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.
6. Thomas Meunier (Belgium and Paris Saint-German)
Meunier may not be a skillful right back, but he certainly possesses the skills and intelligence to perform well down the right flank. The 28-year-old is endowed with a handful of ability to hold on to the ball and making something meaningful out of it.
His physique alone is enough to bully inexperienced players off the ball because his strength comes to play when his techniques do not. He’s as well a good scorer of the ball and accurate passer. Thomas was once one of the full-backs with most goals and assists for both club and country. His square play techniques are a beauty to behold.
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5. Dani Alves (Brazil and Sâo Paulo)
The most experienced and the oldest of them all. Having played for different club sides across Europe, Alves is a serial winner with all the team he’s played with. Barcelona, PSG, Juventus, and the likes – and has over 100 caps for Brazil.
The veteran right-back is still going strong. and has over 100 caps for Brazil. Despite his age, Alves is still a good player. With utmost determination to deliver in a massive manner. Recently, the 38-year-old Brazilian bagged his 40th trophy in his glittering career after leading Brazil’s team to the COPA America glory.
4. Kyle Walker (England and Manchester City)
Apart from the fact that this is a pretty good savior when found wanting at the back, Walker is also able to snort out counters and kick-start his own on the front foot.
Under Guardiola’s guidance, the 29-year-old has the chance to certainly progress even further and Indeed, Walker’s style of play, power, and his runs during his Tottenham days, made him perfect for the attacking fullback role, None more so evident than in last season’s campaign for City after winning the EPL in style. He occupies the number 4 position.
3. Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)
This 28 years old Spanish right-back joined Real Madrid in 2013 and has since then gone on to become one of the best right-backs in the world, as well as winning many laurels for the Spanish giant.
Known for his passing skills and the ability to explore loopholes and distribute killer passes and most times square plays for his colleagues. Injury has been a major disturbing factor for the Spanish international recently but he’s definitely one responsible full-back.
2. Joshua Kimmich (Germany and Bayern Munich)
The German came up through the Stuttgart youth system but got his debut in 2013 with RB Leipzig. It didn’t take long for Bayern to notice him, and in 2015 they snapped him up. Since then, the young German has been on the rising career-wise for the Diemaanschaft and the Bavarians.
He is young, talented and he is one of those players who are on the wish-list of many top clubs. One of his qualities is how he often makes beautiful square plays for his team to score. He is as well very good at dribbling, tackling, blocking and an interception. He takes the second spot.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold (England and Liverpool)
To spearhead the rest of the guys on this list is England’s 20-year-old sensation, Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 20-year-old has already made a big name for himself with his impressive performances in consecutive Champions League finals, one of which he won last year, and also throughout the Reds Premier League last season.
Alongside Liverpool’s left-back Andy Robertson, the Englishman racked up the highest number of assists ever made by a defensive pairing in the history of the Premier League and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. The English lad is currently trailing City’s Kevin De Bruyne in the assist ranking with 9 assists – making him the only defender with the highest number of assists in Europe’s top 5 leagues.
