ESPN continually provides a yearly ranking of players across each position and the 2022-23 season wasn’t an exception. Here is ESPN’s 2023 FC100 list of best right backs for this year.
Customary with rankings and listing of players or athletes in general, there is in many times going to be a disagreement on the placement of a certain player or the other.
These disagreements may spring up due to a divergence in opinion or certain affinity for a particular player over the other.
Anyway, let’s dive right straight into the listing prepared by ESPN to see where your favorite right-backs are placed.
10) Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong was impressive at right back for Bayern Leverkusen and that certainly has afforded him a slot in 2023 FC100 list of best right backs for 2022-23.
The Netherland International made 48 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring 9 goals and providing 11 assists.
9) Giovanni Lorenzo
The Italian was in stellar form for the Neapolitans last term, assisting the club to a Serie A crown.
The 29-year-old made 47 appearances for Napoli last term, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists.
8) Dani Carvajal
The experience defender also makes it to the 2023 FC100 list for right backs due to his strides last term.
Carvajal made 45 appearances for Los Blancos during the 2022/23 season, scoring no goal but he provided 5 assists.
7) Joao Cancelo
The 2022/23 season was a shaky one for Cancelo, who fell out with Pep Guardiola and was loaned to Bayern Munich.
At Bayern Munich, he struggled to maintain a starting shirt, despite his immeasurable qualities.
Anyway, ESPN’S 2023 FC100 list has opted to reward his efforts for the 2022/23 season.
He made 47 appearances in total last term playing for both Manchester City and Bayern Munich, he scored 3 goals and provided 11 assists.
6) Trent Alexander-Arnold
Some of his his supporters might raise eyebrows over his placement on the list, but he had a not too perfect season with Liverpool last season.
Arnold played 47 matches for Liverpool during the 2022/23 season, scoring 4 goals and providing 10 assists.
5) Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde was highly influential for Barcelona in the past one year, assisting the Catalans to a La Liga crown.
The 24-year-old made 40 appearances for Barcelona last season, scoring 1 goals and providing 6 assists.
4) Reece James
The Englishman is still rated highly by ESPN, depsite Chelsea’s frailties in 2022-23.
James was in-and-out of action last season, due to injury and he was really missed.
He amassed just 24 appearances last season, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists.
3) Kyle Walker
Certainly impressive for Manchester City in 2022-23, assisting the club to an historic treble.
Walker almost had an issue with Pep Guardiola, but it was quickly sorted and the England International continues to enjoy his football.
He made 39 appearances for City, scoring no goal but providing 1 assist.
2) Kieran Trippier
Trippier was absolutely menacing in defense for Newcastle United as he guided the club to a UEFA Champions League spot, for the first time in 20 years.
He also helped the Magpies get to the final of the Carabao Cup in the 2022/23 season.
The England International made 46 appearances throughout last season, scoring 1 goal and providing 10 assists.
1) Achraf Hakimi
Possibly, it might have been a season that will be remembered for his off-field activities rather than his on-field performance.
However, he still eschewed quality for the Parisians, winning the Ligue 1 and Trophée des Champions.
Hakimi made 39 appearances last term, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists across all competitions.
Moving away from the listing for right-backs, below is ESPN’S 2023 FC100 list for players in the opposite position:
10) Leandro Spinazzola of Roma.
9) Raphael Guerreiro of Borussia Dortmund
8) Alejandro Balde of Barcelona
7) Pervis Estupinian of Brighton and Hove Albion
6) Luke Shaw of Manchester United
5) Nathan Ake
He was impressive for Manchester City during the 2022-23 season, providing his own contributions that ultimately helped the club win the treble.
Ake made 41 appearances last term, scoring 3 goals and providing no assist.
4) Andrew Robertson
In spite of a season where Liverpool were below-par, Andy Robertson provided his own immeasurable contributions, scoring no goal and providing 11 assists.
He was also awarded an MBE in June, 2023 for his contributions over the years.
3) Oleksandr Zinchenko
The Ukrainian was magnificent for Arsenal last season, as he almost led the club to a Premier League title for the first time in almost two decades.
Zinchenko made 33 appearances, scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists.
2) Theo Hernandez
Theo Frenchman has been placed highly by ESPN and this is definitely due to his contributions to AC Milan and France.
He didn’t win any trophy last term with AC Milan but he almost assisted Les Blues to back-to-back World Cup titles.
Hernandez made 45 appearances, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists last season.
1) Alphonso Davies
ESPN has adjudged him as the best right-back in 2023 FC100 list.
Davies helped Bayern Munich win the German Bundesliga title, scoring 3 goals and providing 8 assists in 38 appearances.
