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The modern game has seen more and more defenders venture upfield and contribute to their team's attack.
Centre-backs have a presence at both ends, thanks to their aerial ability. Meanwhile, the full-backs lend width to their team's attack by bombarding the flanks. That creates an offensive overload, which often results in goals.
Many teams, especially in Europe's top five leagues, have attacking full-backs who not only provide assists, but also score key goals. These teams also have good ball-playing centre-backs who do not hesitate to make their presence felt at the other end.
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That trend has continued this season as well. On that note, here's a look at the five defenders with the most goal contributions in Europe's top five leagues this season (2021-22):
#5 Domenico Criscito - 6 (five goals, one assist)
Domenico Criscito is one of the most prolific goalscoring defenders in the game at the moment.
Belying his 35 years of age, the left-back has hit the ground running this season. He has bagged five goals and an assist, but Genoa are languishing in the relegation zone, having won just once in 21 games this season.
The versatile footballer can also play as a centre-back, wing-back and wide midfielder. Currently in his third spell at Genoa, the two-time Russian Premier League winner has scored all of his 21 Serie A goals for the club.
#4 Niko Giesselmann - 7 (three goals, four assists)
Niko Giesselmann is another left-back who has hit the ground running this season. The 30-year-old has been one of the key performers for a Union Berlin team that is cruising in seventh place in the 2021-22 Bundesliga table.
He has bagged seven goal contributions in the German top flight this season, including three goals. One of his strikes came against holders Bayern Munich, where Berlin lost 5-2 at home.
The 30-year-old's only other Bundesliga goal came while he played for Fortuna Dusseldorf.
#3 Theo Hernandez - 9 (four goals, five assists)
Theo Hernandez is one of the most sought-after full-backs in the game at the moment.
Playing in only his third Serie A campaign, the 24-year-old left-back has already racked up 19 goals and 16 assists in over 80 games. Nine of those goal contributions have come this season, with his five assists this campaign being the most by any defender in the Italian top flight.
The Frenchman registered seven goals and six assists in the league last season, helping Milan finish second in Serie A. Hernandez has seemingly continued from where he left off last season, helping the Rossoneri to second place in the league standings.
His exploits have attracted the attention of many top clubs across Europe, including Chelsea, PSG and Manchester City. However, Milan are unlikely to let him leave any time soon.
#2 Reece James - 9 (four goals, five assists)
Reece James has been one of the top full-backs in the game this season. The 22-year-old has bagged four goals and five assists to power Chelsea's bid for a first Premier League title in five years.
The Englishman has become a regular in Thomas Tuchel's team, bursting down the flanks with authority and purpose.
Thanks to his imperious exploits, James has caught the attention of top clubs like Real Madrid. However, Chelsea are unlikely to let go of their academy graduate.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold - 11 (two goals, nine assists)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the most exciting goalscoring full-backs in the game at the moment.
Together with his teammate Andy Robertson, Alexander-Arnold forms one of the most devastating full-back partnerships in the modern game. Still only 23, the Englishman has racked up almost 150 Premier League appearances, contributing 10 goals and an impressive 42 assists.
He has racked up 11 goals and assists this season, making him the hest-performing defender in the final third in Europe this season.
Alexander-Arnold contributed 17 goals (four goals, 13 assists) in the Reds' maiden Premier League triumph in 2019-20.
