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The role of modern full-backs has evolved over the years and we have seen their valuations rise in recent times. In the expansive style of football that most teams are trying to adopt these days, full-backs have become vital cogs.
They help drive the team forward and maintain the width on the pitch. They are also some of the most tireless workers on a football field as they end up having to shuttle up and down the flanks for the length of a game.
The England squad for Euro 2020 featured three right-backs. It is interesting to note that all three of England's right-backs have a different style of play. A skilful full-back who is good on both sides of the pitch will be a blessing for any side. That's why so many teams are willing to break the bank to sign one these days.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the most expensive right-backs of all time.
(All values courtesy Transfermarket.com).
#5 Danilo (Juventus) - €37 million
Danilo joined Juventus from Manchester City in 2019 on a deal worth €37 million. He struggled to hold down a starting spot in Turin in his first season with the Bianconeri. But he has become an integral part of the side and has proven how important a player he can be over the course of the 2020-21 season.
Danilo played in all positions across the backline for Juventus this past season. He has also slotted into central midfield on multiple occasions thanks to his technical ability and versatility.
The 29-year-old scored a goal and provided four assists for Juventus in 34 Serie A appearances this past term.
#4 Kyle Walker (Manchester City) - €52.7 million
Pep Guardiola loves his full-backs and Manchester City have invested lavishly in getting him some top quality personnel on the flanks. Kyle Walker has always been known for his explosive pace and for how effective he is on both sides of the pitch.
Manchester City moved for him in the summer of 2017 and secured his services by paying Tottenham Hotspur €52.7 million. Walker has since proved to be a great addition to the Etihad outfit. He has also been able to excel as a right-sided centre-back on occasion when Pep Guardiola has chosen to go with a three-at-the-back system.
The 31-year-old has played a starring role for England in their run to the Euro 2020 final. He has already won three Premier League titles with Manchester City in addition to one FA Cup and four EFL Cups.
#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) - €55 million
Following the departure of Antonio Valencia, Manchester United were in desperate need of signing a quality right-back. It was around that time that Wan-Bissaka started growing in reputation as one of the best tacklers in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace were well aware of what their right-back was worth and ended up selling him to Manchester United for €55 million. Wan-Bissaka has undoubtedly been a welcome addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
While his defensive abilities have been excellent, he did draw a lot of criticism for his work on the attacking side of things. But over the course of the 2020-21 season, it was clear that the 23-year-old had worked on and improved his dribbling and crossing ability.
He made 54 appearances for Manchester United across all competitions in the 2020-21 season, scoring two goals and providing six assists.
#2 Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) - €60 million
Achraf Hakimi is one of the best right-backs in the world right now and he has showcased his abilities across various leagues over the past few years. He had an impressive loan spell with Borussia Dortmund, where he played for two seasons.
Hakimi was subsequently sold by his then parent club, Real Madrid, to Inter Milan for a sum of €40 million. The Moroccan international played a starring role in Inter Milan's Serie A triumph in the 2020-21 season. He scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions for the Nerazzurri this past term.
Due to Inter Milan's financial problems, they have been forced to sell Hakimi and the 23-year-old has now joined Paris Saint-Germain on a deal worth €60 million.
#1 Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) - €65 million
Manchester City man Joao Cancelo is the most expensive right-back in the history of football. Juventus noticed Cancelo during his loan spell with Inter Milan in the 2017-18 season and paid Valencia €40.4 million to sign him.
The Portuguese international enjoyed a good debut season in Turin, scoring a goal and providing five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. Manchester City came knocking for him in the summer of 2019 and signed him on a deal worth €65 million.
Cancelo has gone from strength to strength at Manchester City and was one of their standout performers in the 2020-21 season. He scored three goals and provided five assists in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Cityzens as they won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup.
Cancelo, however, was unable to feature for Portugal at Euro 2020 after contracting the coronavirus. It certainly affected Fernando Santos' men as Cancelo can be a creative force on the right-wing and provides a lot of thrust from the side. Portugal were eliminated from Euro 2020 in the Round of 16 by Belgium
