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The role of a full-back is arguably the most important in modern football, needing to execute the dual role of a winger and defender. Back in the day, right-backs were restricted to the defensive third. But the demands of modern football have forced them to contribute to their team's attacking endeavours.
Increased transfer fees for full-backs also reflect their growing importance in the modern game. PSG recently paid €60 million to secure the services of Champions League-winning right-back Achraf Hakimi. The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Hakimi, among others, have played key roles in their teams' successes.
On that note, here's a look at the five best right-backs in the game at the moment:
#5 Kieran Trippier
Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier was the target of several top clubs in the 2021 summer transfer window. It is not difficult to understand why.
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Since his move to the Spanish capital in the summer of 2019, Tripper has established himself as one of the finest full-backs in the continent. The Englishman is a regular starter under Diego Simeone, and plays a pivotal role in the Argentine's defensive-minded setup.
While most full-backs in world football right now are better going forward than in their defensive roles, Trippier is renowned for his defensive prowess.
In the 2020-21 season, Trippier played a crucial role in Atletico keeping 18 clean sheets in his 35 appearances across the Champions League and La Liga. The Englishman was also key in England's magical run to the Euro 2020 final. Trippier played a role in The Three Lions keeping three clean sheets and conceded just once in the five games he played.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed a decent start to his 2021-22 campaign. Trippier has helped his team keep four clean sheets in 12 La Liga games, conceding only eight goals. However, he is yet to help his team keep a clean sheet in the Champions League this season.
#4 Juan Cuadrado
Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Juan Cuadrado was undoubtedly Juventus' best player in the 2020-21 season.
The Colombian international spent most of his career in a wide midfield role. But he adapted quickly to the right-back role under Juventus' former manager Maurizio Sarri. Cuadrado has since made the full-back position his own, producing a string of impressive performances in his new position.
The 33-year-old may not be the best defensive full-back in the game, but his contributions in the opposition third are second to none. Last season, Cuadrado racked up an impressive tally of 19 assists and two goals from 40 appearances for the Bianconneri. The Colombian ended the 2020-21 Serie A campaign with the most assists (11) by a Juventus player.
Cuadrado has also improved the defensive side of his game. He is one of the first names in the Juventus team sheet under Massimiliano Allegri.
#3 Reece James
Since making his debut for the first team in 2019, Reece James has established himself as one of the finest full-backs in world football currently.
The Chelsea player joined the club's youth academy when he was just six, and worked his way up to the senior setup. His debut for The Blues in a Carabao Cup game against Grimsby Town was the stuff of fairy tales. James notched up an assist in either half, and scored a late goal to help the Blues secure a 7-1 win.
That performance was an indication of bigger things to come, and James has now cemented his place as the first-choice right-back under Thomas Tuchel.
Replacing Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back, James has showcased his immense talent, especially in the attacking third. His accurate passing and pin-point crossing abilities have yielded several goals for the counter-attacking Chelsea outfit.
In the 2021-22 Premier League season, James has been directly involved in eight goals (four goals, four assists) from as many appearances. Along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, James is the best attacking right-back in English football right now.
#2 Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi has arguably been PSG's best signing in the 2021 summer transfer window. He hit the ground running in the French capital.
He was the only new major signing this summer for whom PSG shelled out the bucks. The likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma all arrived on free transfers. However, the €60 million PSG paid to secure Hakimi's services from Inter Milan has proven to be a sound investment thus far.
The Moroccan's marauding runs down the flank and pin-point crosses into the box was a feature in Inter Milan's Serie A triumph last season. He has carried that form to his new club as well. In 12 Ligue 1 appearances for the Parisians this season, Hakimi has been directly involved in five goals (three goals, two assists).
In 42 appearances across the Champions League and Serie A campaigns last season, Hakimi racked up an impressive tally of seven goals and 11 assists.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of, if not the best, attacking full-backs in the game at the moment.
The Liverpool academy product's defensive frailties were massively exposed last season in the absence of Virgil Van Dijk. But that takes nothing away from his exploits in the opposition half.
In the 2020-21 Premier League season, Alexander-Arnold's contributions in the attacking third were on par with some of the league's best playmakers. The 23-year-old registered an impressive 23% cross-completion rate, delivering 297 crosses into the box. He also created 14 big chances and 151 accurate long balls.
Alexander-Arnold has also enjoyed a flying start to his 2021-22 campaign. The young Englishman has played a key role in Liverpool's dominance in the opposition third.
In 12 appearances this season, Alexander-Arnold has racked up seven assists. That includes a thunderous free-kick goal in Liverpool's most recent Premier League game against West Ham.
Still only 23, Trent Alexander-Arnold is only bound to get better, which augurs well for The Reds.
