The full-back position in contemporary football is incredibly strenuous, as the players in this position must undertake multiple challenging tasks. They need to make speedy and frequent runs towards the sideline, undertake precise pass-and-move maneuvering with their teammates, and execute emergency tackles to defend their team. All of these responsibilities put a significant burden on these players.
The 4 Best Right Backs in Premier League History
There are individuals who thrive and succeed despite pressure, unlike those who falter. The Premier League has seen several exceptional right-backs throughout the years.
These are the top four right-backs who have played in the Premier League era:
4- Branislav Ivanovic
Ivanovic is among the league’s defenders who have scored a significant number of goals.
Chelsea has heavily relied on the Serbian player in the past few years. His unwavering perseverance and dedication towards football is quite inspiring. Unlike other full-backs, Ivanovic is not blessed with exceptional speed.
Despite the pressure of possession, he remained composed and his remarkable passing skills earned him a place among the greatest right-backs in premier league history. When it came to defending, he consistently delivered strong tackles on the right side of the field and frequently executed impressive diagonal passes at his peak.
Despite his lack of agility, Ivanovic is not one to avoid attacking. His skill in the air and his physical strength have allowed him to score many goals throughout his career.
Many football fans admire his fierce demeanor on the field. Jose Mourinho commended him, stating that the Serbian defender is an extremely competitive player with a generous disposition. So far, Ivanovic has played in 367 games for Chelsea and has earned himself a place in the list of best full-backs in Premier League history.
3- Lee Dixon
Lee Dixon ended his stint at Arsenal by retiring from the club after dedicating his time and efforts towards the team for a period of 14 years.
Lee Dixon, a skilled full-back, played for Arsenal for 14 successful seasons and established himself as an exceptional player. He originated from Manchester and began his journey to success at Stoke City, where he and Steve Bould formed an effective defensive duo. His exceptional performances at Stoke City led to him being signed by Arsenal, located in North-London.
Nonetheless, it was the first-mentioned person who utilized his opportunities to the fullest and established his status at the club for a further ten years. Dixon posed a threat while advancing, generating goals from minimal opportunities. He attained a score of 25 for Arsenal, and his character was notably outstanding, acting as a source of reassurance for his teammates in defense, thus emerging as one of the superior right-backs of his era.
Dixon has a history of achieving victory in contrast to the current Arsenal team members. He experienced winning on eight occasions, consisting of four championships and three FA Cup wins. As a club icon, he concluded his professional career at the age of 37 in 2002.
2- Bacary Sagna
Unfortunately, Sagna didn’t have the fortune of winning numerous trophies while playing for Arsenal.
The soccer player from France is not given enough credit and has had bad luck during his career. Despite being a great player, he hasn’t won many trophies and has only won the FA Cup once with Arsenal in 2014 and the League Cup once with City last season.
In terms of skill, the Frenchman is unmatched. Sagna has impressive speed, which allows him to make quick and aggressive runs down the right side of the field and disrupt the opposing team’s defense. He is highly accurate in his crosses, having successfully assisted in the scoring of numerous goals since his time in England.
During an interview in 2011, Arsene Wenger proclaimed Sagna to be the top right back in the Premier League. This praise gave Sagna a boost, and he had a fantastic season, earning a spot on the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year in 2011.
Sagna spent seven years playing for the North London team, making a total of 284 appearances. He then transferred to Manchester City, where he currently holds the position of Pep Guardiola’s top pick for right-back and also one of the league’s top right-backs.
1- Gary Neville
Manchester United’s Neville earned an astonishing 20 titles during his time with the team.
Gary Neville, known as Manchester United’s dependable player, has played a significant role in the club’s success for almost 20 years. Despite not having exceptional skills, he consistently showed profound dedication and commitment to the team in every match.
As Neville’s career advanced at Old Trafford, he became more self-assured and solidified his position as one of the top right backs in the English Premier League. He was instrumental in Manchester United achieving an unparalleled treble in 1999.
After Roy Keane left in 2005, the right-back was chosen as the club captain, which was a well-deserved honor. By February 2011, the player had retired from professional soccer, having played a total of 602 matches for the Red Devils and 85 games as an England international.
He is a rare example of a footballer who only played for one team throughout his career in England. The PFA recognized his talents by including him in their list of the best players of the century in 2007. Impressively, he managed to win an astonishing twenty trophies throughout his playing career.
