Vote for the Premier League’s best right-back.
Here are our picks for the best ten right-backs in the English top tier, on the final page you will find our poll, vote for your favourite as we look to put together a ‘Premier League Best XI’
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
After starting his career at Everton as a winger, Seamus Coleman is now a highly accomplished right-back, bringing great pace and attacking ability to the role, as well as maturing defensively. The 25-year-old was a great discovery by former Toffees manager David Moyes, who signed him for just £150,000, and continues to shine under new manager Roberto Martinez, netting a goal on the opening day of the season and playing a crucial part in the Merseysiders’ impressive start to the season.
Micah Richards (Manchester City)
Although only a backup player at Manchester City, Micah Richards remains a top talent and is unfortunate to be behind another excellent right-back in Pablo Zabaleta at the Etihad Stadium. The former England international may be on the move this January to attempt to get back into the international fold, and there will certainly be no shortage of top clubs interested if he does leave, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Roma all linked with him in recent times. Also capable of playing as a centre-back, the 25-year-old is a strong, intelligent and technically able player, making him an addition with great potential for any top side.
Phil Jones (Manchester United)
A highly versatile player, it is not always at right-back that Manchester United’s Phil Jones appears, but there is a strong case for saying it is his best position, with the immensely powerful 21-year-old able to use his strength and attacking ability to good effect going forward, whilst also proving hard to shift at the back. The England international looks like a great investment by United, who signed Jones from Blackburn for over £16m when he was still only 18. Jones immediately became a regular for the club and looks to have a great future at Old Trafford as he continues his remarkable rise.
Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker may struggle somewhat for consistency, but his tremendous ability has seen him become undisputed first choice for both club and country in recent years, and there’s no doubt that the 23-year-old can develop into a top player when he can hone his defensive work and mature. Still only 23, there is plenty more to come from Walker, whose pace, dribbling and powerful long range shot make him a great attacking weapon for Spurs from defence.
Sascha Riether (Fulham)
After initially joining Fulham on loan last season, the club took him on permanently this summer after his impressive displays at right-back that saw him named the club’s player of the season. The 30-year-old looks one of few Fulham players at the moment who is committed to the cause and able to drive the team forward. A strong all-round full-back, Riether is tough in the tackle and joins in the attack to good effect, with some dangerous deliveries from crosses.
Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
Something of a late bloomer, Glen Johnson flopped at Chelsea as a youngster but has really grown into a highly important player at Liverpool since moving to the club from Portsmouth in 2009. One of several talented England right-backs that Roy Hodgson has to choose from at the moment, Johnson’s attacking ability makes him a perfect component for the style of play adopted at Liverpool by manager Brendan Rodgers. As well as being solid defensively, Johnson has two great feet and can really cause problems at the other end of the pitch with his passing, crossing and occasional stunning solo goal.
Rafael (Manchester United)
One of Manchester United’s best players last season, Brazilian right-back Rafael has matured into an excellent attacking full-back, improving the defensive side of his game as well as his end-product going forward. Capable of some mazy forward runs and powerful long range shots, Rafael is ideally suited to the way United play, even if he faces some competition for his spot this season with Phil Jones performing well in that area too. A good problem for United to have.
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
A top class player and great professional, Pablo Zabaleta has improved immensely to keep Micah Richards out of the Manchester City starting lineup. With the perfect combination of graft and skill, the Argentine gives a manager everything they’d look for in a full-back, and has become something of a cult hero with the club’s fans for his knack for scoring at important times. A very strong contender for the best right-back in the Premier League.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Branislav Ivanovic had one of the best seasons of his career last year, scoring an incredible 8 goals from right-back for Chelsea, including the winner against Benfica in the Europa League final. A great all-round player, Ivanovic is solid at the back as well and can do a job at centre-back if required, though his record with goals and assists make him a far more dangerous weapon as part of the Blues attack. Barcelona were rumoured to be after him in the summer, and it’s easy to see why as he continues to look as good as any player in the world in the right-back position.
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
A player who could soon be leaving the Premier League, Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna is a strong contender for the best right-back in the country at the moment. The Frenchman has been with the Gunners since 2007 and immediately settled in perfectly to English football, becoming first-choice for Arsenal as soon as he arrived, and impressing fans with his no-nonsense approach in defence. He is arguably a little weak going forward, though he has been known to deliver some dangerous crosses for Arsenal’s forwards, and has a few important goals to his name for the club, most notably a thumping header to start his team’s comeback in their memorable 5-2 win over arch-rivals Tottenham.