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Top 10 best right-backs of 2024

Published at :November 23, 2024 at 9:45 PM
Modified at :November 23, 2024 at 10:10 PM
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Syed Talib Haider

These full-backs have been brilliant this year.

Who are the unsung heroes of modern football? Full-backs – left-backs and right-backs. Lately, we have seen them getting appreciated a lot more than before because their attacking returns have increased on top of their defensive work. This means their work rate is key to holding down the fort and on the transition to attack from down the flanks.

In 2024, the best of the bunch have redefined what it means to play the position. Who wouldn’t want a player who can tackle, cross, and maybe even score? Let’s see who stands tall as the cream of the crop. We’ve rounded up the ten best right-backs of 2024, ranking them from solid to sensational.

10. Denzel Dumfries

Call him the flying Dutchman in Italy. Why? Well, ever since replacing Achraf Hakimi in Inter Milan, Dumfries has done well holding his own, and taking responsibility. He was key for the Nerazzurri‘s charge for Scudetto in the 2023-24 season.

Stat-wise? Dumfries had four goals and four assists from the RB position for Inter in just 31 Serie A games. Not only that, he has shown his prowess even for the Dutch national side whenever called upon and so he is our 10th best RB in the world.

9. Jules Kounde

There are even people who did not even start with RB as their natural position but have settled into it quite well. Jules Kounde? Yeah, he’s the one who is the top name on that list. Barca have been in a transition… Five managers in the last five years say a lot about that.

But Kounde has been a money-well-spent kind of in the XI since he joined the Spanish side in 2022 and won the league in his debut season. He has been an asset, especially last year, when he played 48 games across all comps even though Barcelona went trophyless last season.

8. Pedro Porro

It was unfair as Pedro Porro came into the chaos of Antonio Conte’s final days in North London. He often found himself stranded out wide in a team struggling for identity. But under Ange Postecoglou, he’s flourished—tucking inside, linking play, and delivering some absolute gems for Tottenham.

With 10 league goal contributions to his name last season, he’s firmly in the top-three right-back debate among Premier League fans. Spurs clearly see it too—he’s made the position his own, competition or not.

Also Read: Top 10 best left-backs of 2024

Change at the helm, and Joshua Kimmich has got his preferred defensive midfield role back (Courtesy: DFL/Bundesliga)

7. Joshua Kimmich

Change at the helm, and Joshua Kimmich has got his preferred defensive midfield role back with him. But the German puppeteer literally pulled some strings as a right back. Under Thomas Tuchel in 2023-24, he was a regular in defence.

So, another one of not exactly an RB doing like he was born to do it. Ask the Bavarians and they’ll tell you why they started likening him to their legend Philipp Lahm. A stretch there, but that vision and versatility gave some glimpses for sure.

Also Read: Top 10 best goalkeepers of 2024

6. Kyle Walker

When Mauricio Pochettino arrived at Spurs, Walker was raw and unpolished. But under the Argentine’s watchful eye, he transformed into one of the world’s top right-backs. Let’s be honest, you don’t survive in Pep Guardiola’s intricate system for this long unless you’re an elite. For what it’s worth, Walker’s just provided it consistently with his blistering recovery speed and calmness on the ball.

Sure, critics have been after him this season. But that’s only because they know his standards. His treble-winning campaign with Man City was no accident—and he carried that class into last season, helping the Cityzens secure their fourth consecutive league title.

5. Ben White

A £50m splurge on Ben White? At the time, when Arsenal reached out to Brighton, it left many Gooners scratching their heads. But we all can agree, that even with the impregnable CB partnership of Gabriel and Saliba, White did not back down. Now, he is an equally important piece of that defence. Look who’s having the last laugh now. What sets him apart? His knack for evolving, adding layers to his game with every season.

4. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi has a habit of making his presence felt. Maybe, well, it could be that he cherry-picks the winning team. But he does not care because from Italy to France Hakimi’s making sure to keep it strictly business. Plus, it would be safe to say that the Moroccan wing-back helped Inter claim the Scudetto in 2020-21.

PSG bought him not as a petty buy, but what he actually did bring to the table. It was track speed and decision-making, with the final pass improving. Result? Hakimi won the domestic treble with PSG last season, while also winning a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics with Morocco.

3. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Only trophies kept him away from being the best-ranked full-back. Sure, fans have their set of doubts with Trent Alexander-Arnold defensively. But let’s not kid ourselves—his playmaking is pure artistry. From the moment he broke into Klopp’s Liverpool side, that side of his game has been key.

However, now, under Arne Slot, the experts have observed Trent is getting his tackling improved. However, it’s still early to call the shots on him. But he’s still one of the Premier League’s deadliest attacking threats and finest technicians.

Jeremie Frimpong Bayer Leverkusen - Bundesliga
Jeremie Frimpong of Leverkusen in action (Courtesy: DFL/Bundesliga)

2. Jeremie Frimpong

Not many might know that Jeremie Frimpong rubbed shoulders with Jadon Sancho in Man City’s academy. Yeah, the two potentially to-be kids now living up to the billing just sounds about right. Frimpong was a fan favourite at Celtic, so there are no two doubts about it why he has thrived in Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen setup.

While the system adjustment provided the best excuse for all, eye-watch did show his importance during Leverkusen’s road to invincible Bundesliga champs—racking up 18 G/A. He also helped Leverkusen clinch the DFB-Pokal and Supercup.

Also Read: Top 10 best defensive midfielders of 2024

1. Dani Carvajal

There’s a reason why 32-year-old Dani Carvajal beats everyone else to it at the position. The reason? Consistency. So, we are not kidding when we say that he might actually beat any right-backs over the last five years to repeatedly win this title.

Well, for starters, playing for Real Madrid, helped in some way. But then he had to remain level with the others and Carvajal did so in style. He stacked his resume with six UCL trophies and four LaLiga titles—earning his place among football’s most decorated defenders. Plus, he also took his expertise and good form on national duty helping Spain to Euro 2024 triumph.

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