7 Best Right-Backs In World Football Right Now

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold has utterly revolutionised our concept of the modern-day defender.

Any defensive flaws are vastly outweighed by his supreme playmaking ability. His emergence into Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side was one of several factors in the Reds' meteoric rise under their chest-pumping German boss.

The Reds are once again looking to evolve and Alexander-Arnold was pushed forward by Klopp in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, grabbing headlines with some sublime assists and playmaking.

Some of the things Joao Cancelo has done with the ball at his feet defy belief. It's what makes his sharp decline so puzzling.

There's a rawness to Cancelo's game that facilitates unpredictability every time he steps onto the field. The Portugal international is far from the best defensive right back in the world, but his work in possession is just obscene.

Following a difficult debut season at the Etihad, Cancelo rebounded in year two to establish himself as a regular in Pep Guardiola's side. The versatile full back seemed so crucial for City with his ability to avoid pressure, work impossible angles and combine around opponents being distinct features of his game.

He became unsettled at City and a loan exit to Bayern Munich didn't yield a positive outcome. He may soon be tasked with reinventing himself elsewhere.

Kyle Walker burgeoned into a world-class player at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. He is a physically imposing player and his athleticism is simply top-notch. Walker has played at right-back and at right centre-back and has shone in both roles for City.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man is one of the fastest footballers on the planet and once he turns on the afterburners, there is no catching him. The way he kept an in-form Vinicius Junior at bay in last season's Champions League semi-final is a good measure of his incredible ability.

Thanks to the abundance of attacking wealth that City has, Walker is primarily tasked with containing opposition wingers, a job he absolutely aces.

Chelsea become a completely different side when Reece James is on the pitch. Their dip in form last term coinciding with James' absence due to injury issues came as no surprise. James has been their main man, taking care of just about every aspect of the game with poise and swagger.

He is a relentless presence down the right flank. Not only does he make spectacular overlapping runs and deliver precise crosses but he also manages to find the back of the net rather frequently for a full-back.

If he can stay away from injuries, James could go on to become an all-time great in the future. The Englishman made just 24 appearances in all competitions for the Blues in the 2022-23 season, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

Since joining Newcastle United in January 2022, Kieran Trippier has proven himself to be one of their standout players. His exceptional crossing skills and defensive prowess have made him an invaluable asset to the team under Eddie Howe's management.

Playing a pivotal role in Newcastle's system, the Englishman is their primary playmaker, having created an impressive 24 big chances for his teammates during the 2022-23 Premier League season. This is a remarkable feat for a right-back.

Beyond his footballing intelligence, Trippier possesses outstanding passing abilities and remarkable vision. Additionally, he excels at set-pieces, with his dead-ball deliveries often proving to be lethal in the box.

The 32-year-old scored one goal and provided 10 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions for the Magpies in the 2022-23 season.

Achraf Hakimi's CV makes for wonderful reading. He was at Real Madrid before first turning heads during his loan spell with Borussia Dortmund. He then copped a switch to Inter Milan where his heroics helped them win the Scudetto in the 2020-21 season.

Hakimi subsequently moved to Paris Saint-Germain and became a part of an ensemble attacking cast that included Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. If that wasn't enough, he played a starring role in Morroco's historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

He is simply as good as they come. Hakimi defends well but he is at his best when he is given the freedom of the flank and allowed to bomb forward and wreak havoc in the final third. In 39 appearances in all competitions for PSG in the 2022-23 season, Hakimi scored five goals and provided six assists.