Top 5 most attacking full-backs in world football

#2. Joāo Cancelo

Manchester City v RB Leipzig: Group A - UEFA Champions League

When Manchester City paid a whopping 65 million euros for the then Juventus full-back Joāo Cancelo, many questions were asked on whether he was worth all that money. Two years later, all those questions have been put to rest.

Though Cancelo has thrived under Pep Guardiola over the last two seasons, it is this year where he has looked a class apart.

Full-backs are often praised for making one side their own, yet Cancelo has functioned as a right-back and a left-back for Manchester City. While the versatility is commendable, the fact that Cancelo performs at such a high level on both sides is relatively unheard of.

As teams under Pep Guardiola tend to do, Manchester City dominate possession in the opposition half, and Cancelo has excelled offensively in his role. The full-back currently has two assists in the Premier League and also provided a hat-trick of assists against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Cancelo also leads the league in passing into the final third, evident by his 7.13 progressive passes per match. He is also initiating Manchester City’s offense through his 8.45 progressive carries per match, some of the highest in his position.

Further demonstrating his influence, Cancelo has also made the most passes in the Premier League with 867, an extremely rare stat for a full-back.

Cancelo’s coming of age has been a pleasure to watch and his form has been vital for Guardiola. Whether he can continue providing such an attacking threat needs to be seen, but for now, Cancelo is one of the most valuable players in world football.

---

#1. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the ideal modern full-back for some time now. Under manager Jurgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold has developed into a lethal attacking full-back. After a dip in form last year, the 23-year-old seems back to his best this season.

So far in the Premier League, Alexander-Arnold has scored one goal and provided four assists. He is also creating 3.5 chances, attempting nine crosses and making 3.2 key passes per match. With arguably the best crossing ability in world football right now, these stats for the full-back are not surprising.

What is somewhat surprising, however, is that Alexander-Arnold is averaging 1.92 shots per match in the Premier League this season, his highest total yet. Though he is yet to score a goal from open play this season, the free-kick against West Ham was enough to prove his ball-striking ability.

Alexander-Arnold has been an integral part of the Liverpool team that won the Champions League and Premier League, and this season has been no different. He is constantly assisting Liverpool's front three, and when on corner duty he has often delivered exceptional crosses to Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip.

At only 23, some can only imagine having a CV like Alexander-Arnold, but he and Liverpool are looking to bounce back to their title-winning form after a tough season last year.

Furthermore, with competition for England’s full-back positions also heating up, it would not be surprising if Alexander-Arnold steps up a notch and adds to the offensive threat he already is.