Once viewed as a position to blood youngsters, or switch across bruising centre-halves to afford them game-time, full-backs have become a pivotal part of the modern game, arguably as important as any other role.
PFA Player of the Year - Trent John Alexander-Arnold
These ten have elevated right-backing into an art-form.
10 - Vladimir Coufal (West Ham)
With Brighton and Southampton circling, West Ham took the plunge on Coufal in the autumn of 2020, spending £5.5m on a player in his late-twenties who had never before plied his trade outside of the Czech First League. And what an outstanding bargain he has proven to be.
A model of consistency on the right side of the Hammers’ rearguard, Coufal’s dominance of his territory allows the likes of Bowen greater freedom to roam while seven assists so far in 2023/24 highlights the threat he poses in possession.
Solid, physical and disciplined, so many of the defender’s traits are from the old-school and that’s no bad thing.
9 - Matty Cash (Aston Villa)
It is difficult and rare for a right-back to stand out from their peers and be awarded their club’s player of the season. Cash has earned that merit at Nottingham Forest in 2019/20 and then again two years later at Villa.
Such awards highlight the Polish international’s dynamic style of play, that has him tether wingers and cause carnage in the final third in equal measure. At times you believe there are two of him on the pitch, so great is his intensity and energy.
Not many football predictions pre-season had Villa chasing down a top four spot.
Perhaps what was overlooked was the elite level of Unai Emery’s management and what can ultimately be achieved with players of Cash’s calibre.
8 - Reece James (Chelsea)
James would be considerably higher on this list were it not for a cruel succession of injuries, the latest restricting him to a handful of cameos this term.
When he’s fit and firing though, the 23-year-old takes Chelsea to another level, dominating the right hand side from goal-line to goal-line via his athleticism, intelligence and touch.
Very few players can alter a team’s Premier League odds single-handedly, and when they do they’re typically goal-scorers.
A truism of recent seasons however is that when James and Ben Chilwell are both available, back the Blues. When they’re not, be sceptical.
7 - Kenny Tete (Fulham)
Since swapping Champions League football with Lyon for picturesque Craven Cottage, the Dutch defender has made 65 league appearances. In that time maybe three wingers have got the better of him.
Tenacious, technically sound, and full of adventure when in possession, the 27-year-old has quietly been one of the very best full-backs around for nearly four years now yet plaudits continue to elude him.
Is it the club he plays for? Does his under-stated manner place him under the radar? Whatever the reason, it’s really about time we put that right.
6 - Malo Gusto (Chelsea)
Like Tete, the 20-year-old arrived in the Premier League from Lyon, with perhaps his ceiling viewed to be that much higher.
This especially applies to his versatility, with Gusto playing as an advanced playmaker at times in France before dropping back to the right side of defence.
His attacking pedigree has certainly been in evidence at Stamford Bridge in his inaugural season and been duly rewarded too, his first international cap won last September.
A propensity to pick up cheap yellow cards is the only negative. Cut those out and his future is bright indeed.
5 - Ben White (Arsenal)
Reinvented as a full-back after impressing in the middle for Brighton and Leeds, White has played a key part in Arsenal’s dramatic rise in recent seasons.
Offering steady insurance behind the marauding Saka, the 26-year-old is not averse to joining his team-mate in offensive areas, with seven Premier League assists in the last calendar year resulting from his forays forward.
The Gunners are well fancied in the football betting to secure their first league crown for two decades. If they do, White will deserve as much of the acclaim as is typically given to the headline-makers.
4 - Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
A key component of Ange’s revolution in North London, the former Sporting star has put to bed doubts about his defensive qualities, statistically out-performing anyone else across Spurs’ back five in 2023/24.
Going the other way there has never been any such concerns, Porro possessing the pace and trickery of a flying winger.
The Spanish international was viewed as an archetypal Antonio Conte player on signing for the club.
He’s now recognised as elite fare regardless of who is standing in the dug-out.
3 - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
In recent years, the England international has been on the wrong end of so much criticism for his perceived defensive failings it would not surprise if one day the topic is discussed in the House of Commons.
Going forward though, there are few better outlets down the right in world football.
An exceptional 82 assists from 302 outings for the Reds is a return even elite wingers would be proud of, while a goal every 17 games is testimony to his attacking prowess.
Is he better deployed in midfield? Over to you, Sunak and Starmer.
2 - Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
Now a seasoned veteran, Trippier is an accomplished and robust defender who also brings so much more to proceedings, not least an ability to ping a free-kick top bins a couple of times a season.
Last term, only Bruno Fernandes created more chances in the top-flight while the Newcastle man’s endeavours down the flanks saw him awarded Player of the Match on eight occasions.
This time out fatigue has diminished his contribution somewhat but he has still reached double figures for assists and averaged 2.6 chances for the struggling Magpies.
1 - Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
He may be knocking on a bit, and showing signs of wear and tear, but ask any wide-man who they least like to face and without exception all shrink at the thought of trying to beat Walker for pace.
Yet it is not just blistering speed that makes the 33-year-old the Ivan Drago of full-backs.
Now imbued with a decade and a half of experience, Walker is able to anticipate danger better and quicker than at any stage of his distinguished career.
Handed the captaincy at City, we can expect at least one more year of excellence before his throne is under threat.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
