The fullback position has become more and more important in modern football. It takes a lot more than defending to be a top fullback in today’s world of football and we’re seeing fullbacks playmaking, scoring goals, and giving loads of assists. The ability to contribute to the attack is now more of a requirement than an added advantage for a full back. We made a list of the best fullbacks in modern football;
5.Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
The Canadian was pivotal to Bayern Munich’s Champions League triumph of 2020 with many regarding him as the best left-back in the world. His blistering pace allows him to contribute to the attack and recover quickly enough to defend his box even when he is caught out.
Davies is physically dominating and able to hold the ball and drive forward without losing possession making him an asset both in attack and defence. He has one goal and three assists this season for the German giants and is now set on a move to Real Madrid.
4. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint Germain)
PSG and Morocco star boy Hakimi is considered one of the best right-wing backs of his generation. He is defensively solid and consistently provides an attacking threat by whipping dangerous crosses and passes into the box.
Hakimi has played for Real Madrid, and Dortmund and won a scudetto with Inter Milan before his transfer to PSG where he featured alongside Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, combining with them multiple times for goals.
His ability to whip in dangerous crosses and dribble makes him a dangerous attacking threat reminiscent of the silky wingers of the past known for their ability to dribble and beat their man and create chances.
3. Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Grimaldo is the talk of the town and is arguably the best left-back in world football currently. The Bayer Leverkusen player has been prolific this season scoring 11 goals and assisting 11 from his position at the left back making 22 goal contributions for Bayer Leverkusen who are on their way to dethroning Bayern Munich this season.
A combination of both attacking and defending prowess has got fans thinking that he has what it takes to be the very best in his position. While he marauds down the left flank, his wing partner Jeremie Frimpong controls the right wing sometimes appearing as extra men in attack to finish off Leverkusen’s chances or give important assists.
2. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
Paired with Alejandro Grimaldo, Frimpong is having the best season of his life and is currently up there in the conversation about the best right back in the world. Just like his partner on the left wing, Frimpong has contributed massively to Leverkusen’s attack scoring 10 goals and giving 10 assists this season.
Grimaldo and Frimpong are arguably the best full-back pairing in the world at the moment. They are both defensively solid, can create changes and score goals, and are thus also very dangerous in the attack; everything you want from a modern fullback.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Ever since his debut in the Premier League and the corner taken quickly against Barcelona, helping Liverpool overturn a first-leg deficit and eventually win the Champions League in 2019, Trent has been phenomenal for Liverpool.
While he has faced criticism for his defensive abilities, what he brings to the attack more than makes up for what he lacks defensively. The English right-back has racked up more assists than any other defender in Premier League history and can give accurate long passes to create chances for his teammates in the final third. His long passing and play-making ability rival that of Kevin De Bruyne in the Premier League. Trent may be in a league of his own when it comes to modern right-backs.
Honorable mentions include Chelsea’s Reece James who many have called the most complete fullback because of the balance in both his attacking and defending abilities. Reece James has been plagued by injuries and unable to feature much this season.
Kyle Walker, Ben White, Kieran Trippier, Joao Cancelo, and Theo Hernandez are also some of the very best fullbacks in modern football and are very deserving of a mention.
What do you think of this list? Do you agree with the ranking? Who did we miss?