England’s incredible depth at right-back is no secret, evidenced by Gareth Southgate’s decision to select four right-backs in his initial squad for Euro 2020.
Incredibly, even with Southgate pushing the boat out for his favourite position, several players could still count themselves unlucky to have not made the 26-man selection.
The 2021/22 season saw even more right-backs burst onto the scene too, though many will do well to force their way into England’s plans for the World Cup in Qatar.
Here’s how 90min ranks the current runners and riders.
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Luke Ayling was a right-back in name only in Marcelo Bielsa’s system. Thanks to the man marking and high pressing El Loco encouraged, Ayling popped up all around the pitch during a game.
That’s changed a little under Jesse Marsch, but either way, there’d have to be a serious injury crisis for Ayling to even be considered.
Once a target for Barcelona – remember that?! – Max Aarons is evidently talented, despite Norwich City looking like one of the worst teams in Premier League history this season just gone.
He needs a move away where he can really prove his worth.
I see you Jonno. ? pic.twitter.com/bS9LShYsP5
— Michail Antonio (@Michailantonio) October 31, 2021
Displacing the ever-present Vladimir Coufal in the West Ham side was mightily impressive from Ben Johnson.
He’s also a terrific dancer.
Tino Livramento was one of the breakout stars of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Zooming up and down the right side for Southampton, he has made that starting XI berth his own since arriving on the south coast. Still so young, it may be some time before he gets a senior call-up but one thing’s for sure, it’s definitely happening.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was once considered by many to be the best one-on-one defender in the Premier League, his long legs somehow capable of hooking the ball away from almost anybody.
Despite this, in more recent times, his inability to improve his offensive game and his poor positioning have become increasingly difficult to ignore. A maiden England cap seems further away than ever.
James Justin is versatile enough to play at right-back and left-back, and got his chance in the Premier League towards the end of the 2019/20 season, starting every game of ‘Project Restart’.
He really pushed on after that, filling the void left by Ben Chilwell’s departure to Chelsea seamlessly.
Just as he was about to force his way into Southgate’s plans though, he suffered a heartbreaking ACL injury. He has since returned to fitness but Leicester’s form has unfortunately dropped off a cliff.
Thanks to the emergence of Livramento, Kyle Walker-Peters has been used on the left-hand side in recent times for Southampton.
Before that he made his name as a right-back, and despite some defensive shortcomings, his explosiveness and attacking have seen him become one of Saints’ key players. He was handed his first senior cap by Southgate in the March internationals.
Kieran Trippier has some of the best delivery and set-piece ability of any active English player.
His transfer to Atletico Madrid was a surprising one – well, not for some of his mates actually – but it takes a strong character with drive to be a regular starter in a Diego Simeone team and he has managed that.
Trippier has looked as impressive as ever back in the Premier League with Newcastle, and brings experience and versatility to Southgate’s squad at international level.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best right-back England have at their disposal.
Defensively, Alexander-Arnold still has some things to learn and room to improve, but he puts up astounding attacking numbers. He could be game-changing for England as a wing-back flanking a back three.
Despite a brief absence from the England squad a while back and even though he is the only player on this list the wrong side of 30, it remains impossible to look beyond Kyle Walker as a leading right-back.
Walker has been a key player for one of the best club sides that English football has ever seen over the last three years and has the versatility to play as an auxiliary centre-back in a back three if needed too.
Reece James has become a favourite of Southgate’s recently – and for good reason.
The Chelsea star has taken his game to the next level as a full-back, wing-back and even as an auxiliary centre-back, with his momentum only being curtailed by some frustrating injuries.
He has a huge future ahead of him in the international setup and looks to be Southgate’s current first choice option.
