The role of a right-back has changed a lot over the years, nowadays it is more about the right-wingback, who can bomb up and down the channel and help the team out in attack as well as defend astutely.
Pace, power and precision are just some of the requirements for a good right-back and even the likes of Dani Alves have their critics, stating that he does not defend well enough. The Premier League has its fair share of great players and we list out three right-backs who have been blowing the opposition away this season. (According to stats taken from Squawka.com)
Kyle Walker
The 25-year-old Tottenham defender has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League this season. It does seem to be a little weird seeing him rotated with Trippier on a regular basis but the English star certainly has done his bit in keeping Tottenham in the race for the Premier League title.
Walker averages 2.5 tackles a game with 2.7 interceptions and 3.3 clearances to boot. The right-back also is no mug going forward and has contributed a lot in the offensive side of the game also for the London team. The good part is that Walker will get better in the coming years and it seems that Tottenham have got someone to hold onto for a period of time.
Danny Simpson
The surprises from Leicester City keep on coming, while the likes of Mahrez and Vardy have gotten a lot of praise. Players such as Christian Fuchs, Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante have been on the list as well but one of the unsung heroes has been the 29-year-old Danny Simpson.
The right-back has played 23 league games for the Foxes this season and averages 2.1 tackles per game with 3.1 interceptions. He also averages a whopping 4.2 clearances per game and 0,5 blocks per game as well. Who would have thought a former Newcastle defender could do so well and actually be on the cusp of achieving Premier League immortality?
Bacary Sagna
Manchester City have not had a great season by any stretch of the imagination, despite winning the Carling Cup and progressing into the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League. The bread and butter of the Premier League seems to have long gone and they might be in trouble of making it into the Champions League through their league position next season.
One player who has been incredibly consistent for the side is the French defender Bacary Sagna. The right-back averages 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game but he gives away just 0.5 fouls per game also. The 33-year-old might not be the youngest player in the Premier League but he surely is one of the fastest and also averages 3.8 clearances per game, not bad for someone on the wrong side of 30.