Here are the 5 best right backs in the world, see were Reece James is ranked.
There is no shortage of top quality right-backs in Europe. In
fact, the English national team alone has close to a dozen
right-backs vying to make it to the World Cup this year. The
modern full-back is a far cry from an out-and-out ‘defender’.
While they definitely have a great deal of defensive
responsibilities, the full-backs are now two of the major
attacking outlets for most teams in Europe. They are tasked
with shuttling up and down the flanks for the length of
games.
Today, there are plenty of adventurous right-backs who
contribute adequately on both sides of the pitch. Without
further ado, let’s take a look at the five best right-backs in
the world right now (September 2022).
#5 Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Kyle Walker is 32 now but he continues to be one of the
quickest right-backs in the game. The Manchester City man
has held down a starting berth for several years now and is
quite adept at defending and attacking.
Walker is quite comfortable in possession and is a very
precise passer of the ball. He has completed 91% of his
passes in the Premier League so far this season. His burst
of pace and ability to beat defenders in the attacking third
has quite often proven to be effective for City when it
comes to breaking down low-blocks.
Despite the wealth of young right-backs that Gareth
Southgate can choose from for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,
Walker continues to be a top contender for a starting berth.
He can also play as the right-sided centre-back in a three-
man defense.
#4 Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
Kieran Trippier has become an influential figure for
Newcastle United since joining the club in January 2022. He
has turned in a string of good performances in the new
season as well and has helped the Magpies get off to a
rather healthy start this term.
An experienced campaigner, Trippier makes up for his lack
of pace with his excellent positioning and composure both
with the ball and without it. He is gifted from a technical
standpoint and can whip in some delightful crosses into the
box.
The 32-year-old has scored a goal and provided one assist
in eight appearances across all competitions for Newcastle
United so far this season.
#3 Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
Benjamin Pavard has been a solid performer for Bayern
Munich in the opening stages of the new season. The
Frenchman has been in fine form for the Bavarians and
unlike most of his peers is more assured when dispensing
his defensive duties than offensive ones.
He has already scored two goals this season and has
refused to be displaced from the first-team by new signing
Noussair Mazraoui. Pavard, unlike most right-backs, is used
in an inverted role at Bayern Munich, which means that he
does not make as many overlapping runs as his
contemporaries do.
Instead, he offers himself as an option on the inside and
almost slots in as an extra midfielder when Bayern are in
possession.
#2 Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-
Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain are playing some fantastic football
under new manager Christophe Galtier . One of the players
who has been given the license to fully express himself in
the new system is Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi.
The 23-year-old plays as a right wing-back for PSG and has
relished the freedom he has been afforded by the new
coach. Hakimi is an enterprising full-back who loves to
bomb forwards, take defenders on and get involved
extensively in the build-up.
He is also a strong tackler and a neat passer of the ball. In
11 appearances across all competitions for PSG so far this
season, Hakimi has scored two goals and provided two
assists.
1 REECE JAMES
With a great deal of hunger and desire to get involved on
both sides of the pitch to compound his technical abilities,
Reece James has established himself as one of the best
right-backs in the world. His rise has been meteoric under
the tutelage of former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel
and has become a vital player for the Blues.
He is quite a menacing physical presence down the right
wing for Chelsea thanks to his strength and defensive
acumen. The Englishman is also an excellent crosser of the
ball and his shooting technique is quite refined for a right-
back.
James is just 22 now and has a bright future ahead of him.
In terms of the ability to fulfill his duties on both sides of
the pitch, he might just be the best right-back in the world
right now.
