In modern days football, one role that is becoming increasingly important is the role of a right-back. Some footballers have successfully made the right-back role their own which has earned them the bragging rights of being the best right-backs in the world.
Over the years, coaches have found a way to portray the importance of prolific right-backs in football teams. Though they are heavily regarded as defenders, they also play a major role in the attack of their teams.
Hence, this set of players are very fast, skillful, and requires a high amount of stamina because of the rigor that comes with playing the role of a right-back. Most coaches that have sound right-backs always like to make use of the 4-3-3 formation (like Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp) or the 3-5-3 formation (like Antonio Conte in his days at Chelsea). In these formations, the right-backs are allowed to run to and fro the flanks to help both the defense and the attack.
Below are the best right-backs in the world 2020:
- Nélson Semedo (Wolves)
Nélson Semedo has left FC Barcelona for Wolverhampton Wanderers but his proficiency as a right-back is still very much intact. Since he joined the Premier League club during the 2020 summer transfer window, the Portuguese footballer has played 6 league matches.
Besides the Premier League matches, the 26-year-old right-back has not had the opportunity to showcase himself in any other competition so far this season.
- João Cancelo (Manchester City)
Since João Cancelo joined Manchester City from Juventus, coach Pep Guardiola has experimented with him in different roles including his main role which is the right-back. He joined the Premier League club during the 2020 summer transfer window for a transfer fee worth €65 million.
Since then, the versatile 26-year-old Portugal international has played 4 league games for Manchester City and has provided an assist. He has also played in three UEFA Champions League games for the Premier League side.
- Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund)
Thomas Meunier has continued with his role of helping the attack while also concentrating on his defensive duties at Borussia Dortmund which he joined from Paris Saint Germain in the 2020 summer transfer window.
Though the 29-year-old Belgium international joined Dortmund for free, he has continued to be a very important addition to the squad. So far this season, he has started 7 league games and has played 97 percent of all the minutes in the Bundesliga. In total, Meunier has played 966 minutes of football in all competitions for Dortmund this season.
- Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Kieran Trippier has been one of the most consistent right-backs in the world. His consistency has kept him in the heart of Atletico Madrid’s defense. He is hardly benched because of what he brings to the team.
So far this season, the 30-year-old England international has played 100 percent of Atletico Madrid’s games in the league (one assist in 7 league games). Trippier who joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 has played a total of 10 games so far in the 2020-2021 season.
- Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
Benjamin Pavard is one of the most versatile right-backs in the world. His versatility has made him a very important player at Bayern Munich. The right-back can also play the role of a left-back and as a center-back.
So far this season, the 24-year-old French footballer has played in 5 league games for Bayern Munich and has played 10 games in all competitions in which he has provided an assist.
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has grown to become a very important player for Manchester United especially this season. The 22-year-old English right-back has played 6 league games for Manchester United so far.
Besides his effort and game time in the league, Wan-Bissaka has played in United’s three Champions League matches and once in the club’s EFL campaign for this season.
- Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Kyle Walker has been a very important player for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The England international has not missed any Premier League game this season.
So far, the 30-year-old English right-back has played 7 league matches and has provided an assist. Walker has been there for Manchester City in 12 games in all competitions.
- Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan)
Achraf Hakimi wowed the world when Real Madrid decided to send him on loan to Borussia Dortmund before the commencement of the 2019-2020 season. At the end of the season, his performance in Bundesliga was so good that Inter Milan had to buy him permanently from Madrid.
Since he joined the Serie A side during the 2020 summer transfer window, Hakimi has proven his worth as a versatile right-back. So far, the 22-year-old Morocco international has played 7 league matches for Inter in which he scored a goal and provided 2 assists. He has played a total of 9 games in all competitions this season.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
The consistency of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the past two seasons has been incredible. The 22-year-old right-back has continued with such a trend so far this season.
The England international has been so phenomenal that Jurgen Klopp can hardly do without him at Liverpool football club. So far this season, he has played all the 8 league games of the club and has provided an assist. He has played a total of 11 games and has provided 3 assists in all competitions this season.
- Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Though Joshua Kimmich’s natural role is a defensive midfielder role, he has operated generally as a right-back. Anytime he is used as a right-back in never fails to give a very resounding account of himself.
So far this season, the 25-year-old German football star has played 6 league games in which he scored a goal and provided an assist. He has played a total of 11 games, scored 3 goals, and provided 7 assists in 941 minutes of football this season.
