Although the main duty of the players in front of the keeper is to make sure that their opponents don’t score, sometimes defenders can’t resist making those forward runs. Over the years, many defenders have made a name for themselves not only for their defending ability, but also their attacking prowess.
The modern day game is seeing more goals than ever, and as such, it is no surprise that many of them come from the back. From set pieces to overlapping runs and finishes, defenders are finding their teammates and the back of the net much more often lately. Here, we look at five current defenders who are major attacking threats in today’s game:
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#5 Marcelo
Real Madrid’s left back is a force of nature when it comes to defending and attacking. One of the great modern day full-backs, Marcelo plays almost like a winger when his team are on the front foot.
Often spending half the game in the opponents’ half, the 28-year-old has scored over 25 goals for Real Madrid and set up over the same amount in his time at the Bernabeu. There is no doubt that Marcelo is the best left-back in the world and his attacking prowess is a big reason why he is regarded so. This season, he has been involved in 5 goals in all competitions and remains a threat throughout.
The Brazilian international is great at tracking back and his overlapping runs take the opposition defence by surprise. Perhaps his most famous goal came against rivals Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League finals where he all but ended their resilience in extra time.
#4 Seamus Coleman
The captain of the Republic of Ireland, Seamus Coleman is one of the most explosive right-backs in the world. Everton have probably the most attacking full-back duo with the pair of Leighton Baines and Coleman wreaking havoc on almost every team in the Premier League.
Although Baines might be the more experienced out of the two – Coleman is three years younger than his teammate – and his pace, overlapping runs and tricky balls into the box make him one of the deadliest fullbacks in the league.
This season alone, the 28-year-old has been involved in 5 goals in 19 appearances, having scored four important goals for the Toffees. Coleman offers support to his midfield by going out wide and his tracking back abilities ensure that he is rarely caught out of position even while attacking.
#3 Hector Bellerin
Probably the fastest full-back in the world, Bellerin’s pace and dribbling ability make him a menace for opposition defenders to deal with.
The 21-year-old is an integral part of the Arsenal squad and more often than not Bellerin is in the opposition’s half, providing options to his teammates out wide and often getting into the box looking for an odd shot at goal.
Arsene Wenger heavily depends on his right-back to bombard forward and cause problems for the opponents when the Gunners are down or facing a team that is parking the bus, and rarely does the Spanish international disappoint in that regard.
With two assists this season and more than 1.5 successful dribbles per game, Bellerin is the youngest entry into this list and in time, might just become the best full-back in the world.
#2 David Alaba
Bayern’s irreplaceable defensive magician, David Alaba is one of the finest and most versatile defenders in the world.
The Bavarian team’s set piece specialist, Alaba has scored the seventh fastest goal in Champions League history (25.02 seconds) and the left back is a constant attacking threat. Be it against the likes of Hamburger or Atletico Madrid, the 24-year-old is in the opposition’s half, always trying to find a key pass or looking to run into the box to give his teammates an extra option.
Although the Austrian international has only scored one goal this season, he has set up his colleagues five times and has an astonishing pass accuracy of 90.7% in the Bundesliga. Alaba averages 1.7 key passes in all competitions and his control of the ball in the final third is something to be in awe of. He slides into this list as easily as he does into the opponent’s box.
With his best years still ahead of him, it won’t be long before he takes up the undisputed number one position on this list.
#1 Sergio Ramos
Never in any doubt, was it? Real Madrid’s captain is the only centre back on the list and for good reason as no defender in world football scores as many goals as Sergio Ramos, and perhaps no player currently scores as many important goals as this man.
Two goals in two different Champions League finals, a brace in Madrid’s most recent game and a stoppage time equaliser against rivals Barcelona, Ramos seems to turn up when his team needs him the most and is the best header of the ball in world football right now.The 30-year-old has scored eight goals this season already and has scored in every season since he was signed by the Galacticos over a decade ago.
With 77 career goals to his name, Ramos has scored more overall goals than national teammate Andres Iniesta which is amazing, to say the least. The most deadly player in set piece situations, marking Ramos is like trying to kill a mosquito with one hand – you might succeed once or twice, but more often than not you’re likely to fail.
Ramos’ stats speak for themselves, and as such there is no defender who is a bigger offensive threat than this man in modern day football.
Honourable mentions
Dani Alves
Despite being 33 years old now, the Juventus and former Barcelona right back is still a potent attacking threat and has more assists in his career than Zinedine Zidane. He has been involved in four goals this season already and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Kyle Walker
England’s first-choice right-back is one of the deadliest defenders in the Premier League when it comes to forward runs and Walker’s agility and strength are important aspects of Spurs’ game.
Jordi Alba
The Barcelona left-back might not be the best defender in the world but his attacking ability is in no doubt, with his most famous goal coming against Italy in the finals of the 2012 Euros.
