The top 5 right-backs in Europe this season

Amidst all the glitz, glamour, fame and riches poured on their more illustrious teammates in the attacking and midfield positions, the full-backs are arguably more important than them for their overall functionality but more often than not, do not get the immense praise their contributions deserve.

They have taken up an even more important role ever since the tactical evolution that saw the rise of inverted wingers, with full-backs now required to provide more width in attacking positions, while also combining this with their defensive duties.

Pin-point deliveries, tracking back and putting their bodies on the line, these are some of the duties expected of a full-back and it is not uncommon to see that they are usually among the highest numbers in terms of distance covered.

So far this season, some right-backs have covered themselves in glory, while others have failed to hit their usual heights and in this piece, we shall be taking a look at the top five performing right-backs in Europe this season.

#5 Noussair Mazraoui - Ajax Amsterdam

Mazraoui is a 21-year-old Dutch-born Moroccan international who is making waves in the Netherlands Eredivisie with his performances for Ajax Amsterdam.

Alongside young teammates like Frenkie De Jong, Mattijs De Ligt and David Neres among others, Mazraoui is one of the mosty in-demand young players in the world, drawing praise from all and sundry for his excellent displays which belie his age.

Quick, agile, technically gifted and blessed with a wonderful crossing ability, the Moroccan international has the potential to become one of the best players in his position even though he is currently still a bit rough on the edges (which is only normal considering his young age).

So far this season, Mazraoui has made 21 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax, scoring and assisting one each, while he has been an ever-present, appearing in all 13 of the Dutch giants European fixtures this term (scoring two goals) right from the qualifiers and helped Ajax qualify from the group stage for the first time in over a decade.

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#4 Kyle Walker - Manchester City

Kyle Walker has been one of the most consistent right-backs in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons, with his performances in the colours of Tottenham drawing praise and helping him establish himself as a regular England international.

However, Tottenham's stringent transfer policies mean they are always at risk of their major stars being poached by the bigger sides, so it, therefore, came as no surprise when Walker signed for Manchester City in the summer of 2017.

Guardiola's complex tactical systems require versatile full-backs who can keep up to pace, unfortunately, he found this in short supply at City during his first season, leading him to identify getting full-backs ahead of his second season as the club's topmost priority.

Ever since arriving The Etihad, the 28-year-old has firmly installed himself as Guardiola's first choice right-back, making 32 league appearances in City's romp to the EPL title in his debut season at the club, while he has weighed in with 22 so far this season as City and Liverpool go neck and neck in a bid to be crowned league champions.

#3 Achraf Hakimi - Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund v SV Werder Bremen - Bundesliga

Having failed to establish himself in the Real Madrid setup, Achraf Hakimi sought a way out in order to secure regular first-team football and that way out came in the form of a loan transfer to German side Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year-old has flourished at the Signal Iduna, and has established himself as one of the most important players in BVB's quest for a first league title in seven years.

Under Lucien Favre's guidance, the Moroccan international has undoubtedly improved his game, making 17 appearances in the Bundesliga and scoring two goals and making four assists, while also dislodging the more experienced Lucasz Piszczek from the starting lineup.

Hakimi has undoubtedly been one of the best loan signings of the season and it therefore comes as no surprise to find out that the Dortmund board are doing all they can to make his transfer permanent.

#2 Trent-Alexander Arnold - Liverpool

Watford FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League

The England international has been a part of the Liverpool setup for the entirety of his footballing career, having joined The Reds as a 6-year-old in 2004 and since then, he has made his mark across all levels culminating in his first team debut in 2016 aged 18.

He was the beneficiary of an unfortunate long-term injury to first-choice right-back Nathaniel Clyne ahead of the 2017/2018 season and he grabbed his chance with both hands (feet?), performing so credibly well, that Clyne was unable to regain his first team shirt upon his return.

So far this season, Arnold has been one of the leading figures in Liverpool's quest for a first league title in almost three decades, contributing his part with one goal and six assists, while he became the youngest player in EPL history to record three assists in a single match when he did so in the 5-0 routing of Watford.

#1 Joshua Kimmich - Bayern Munich

Ever since his January 2015 arrival from then RB Leipzig, Joshua Kimmich has gone on to establish himself as one of the key members of the Bayern Munich and German football teams.

When Kimmich arrived at the Allianz Arena, he was a greenhorn in top-level football, as Leipzig were then still operating in the second tier of German football, but that did not hinder him from making his mark in the squad, while his versatility earned him high praise from the notoriously tasking Pep Guardiola who deployed him across different positions including in the center of midfield (which is testament to his brilliance).

So far this season, the 24-year-old has made 23 Bundesliga appearances, scoring one goal and making a league-high 10 assists and has been one of the players behind Bayern Munich's recent resurgence in their quest to reclaim top spot from Borussia Dortmund.

Edited by Shambhu Ajith