Having analysed the strengths and weaknesses of the Premier League title contenders’ strike forces, centre-backs and central midfields we continue by taking a closer look at their full backs.
Contributing at both ends of the pitch, the assists and crucial tackles that these full backs will make over the course of the season could swing the title in favour of one team over another. So who is best equipped from what we’ve seen so far this season? We take a look…
ARSENAL
Hector Bellerin / Nacho Monreal
In reserve: Mathieu Debuchy, Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs, Rob Holding
In Bellerin Arsenal __have perhaps the most highly-rated young full-back in football. The Barcelona youth player is said to be courting interest from his former club and Man City – two clubs with form for poaching Arsenal’s star players. The rumours are understandable – blessed with electric pace the Spaniard won’t be outrun and he looks as happy defending as he is going forward. If he can perfect his crossing, he could soon be the world’s best in his position.
On the other side of the defence is Monreal – a player who has come through an unconvincing start at the Emirates (perhaps not helped by arriving during a January window) to cement the left-back position as his. Should he be absent for any reason, Arsene Wenger has an excellent option in Kieran Gibbs who was a late call up to the current England squad.
Arsenal are not so adequately covered on the right. Mathieu Debuchy, Carl Jenkinson and Rob Holding are all options – but none would come close to matching Bellerin on current form.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Successful take ons this season
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CHELSEA
Branislav Ivanovic / Cesar Azpilicueta
In reserve: Marcos Alonso
Chelsea’s last outing provided some evidence that Antonio Conte could dispense with full backs altogether and opt for wing backs supporting a three-man defence. In the win against Hull it was Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses who took up those positions.
The fact the Italian coach switched to a back three suggests he’s not wholly convinced by his full-backs. Azpilicueta is undoubtedly a talented player and is happy to get involved – playing more passes than any left-back among the title contenders – but perhaps he’s not the most lethal going forward. Meanwhile Ivanovic has looked in decline for the last couple of seasons. Then there is Alonso. £23million was spent on bringing him to Stamford Bridge but many felt Chelsea had significantly overspent. Time will tell.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Passes per game this season
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MANCHESTER UNITED
Antonio Valencia / Luke Shaw
In reserve: Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Timothy Fosu-Mensah
As with his central midfield options, Jose Mourinho is spoilt for choice. However, that doesn’t always make things easier. Valencia seems to __have control of the right-back role and his willingness to take on opponents and his crossing ability make that understandable. However the Ecuadorian is ultimately a midfielder and it sometimes shows when called upon to defend. Italy international Darmian is an excellent back-up and youngster Fosu-Mensah could also be worthy of a look in.
Things aren’t so rosy on the other side of defence though. Luke Shaw’s return from injury looked to have resolved any issues, but then he made a mistake against Watford and Jose Mourinho called the youngster out for it. Since then Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind have filled in. Rojo looks out of his depth, but Blind is a steady, reliable option. However Shaw offers much more – he’s created more chances from open play (4) than any other left-back among the title contenders. However he’s no good sulking in the shadows – he and Mourinho need to get on the same page.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Successful take ons per match this season
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TOTTENHAM
Kyle Walker / Danny Rose
In reserve: Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies
Tottenham is home to England’s current first-choice full-backs and the pair have been excellent this season. They both offer huge amounts of pace and threat going forward. Walker has been more successful at taking on opponents this season than any of the right-backs featured here, while Rose is the most fouled left-back.
Defensively they are sound as well, playing their roles in Spurs conceding just three goals in the Premier League so far this season. Of the two of them, Rose has shown the most willingness to battle, winning 3.5 tackles a match – more than any left-back featured here.
Where Tottenham look vulnerable is the depth of their options. Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies came in for their recent Champions League game and the latter has filled in during Rose’s recent injury issues. Both have performed when they’ve been called upon so far this term but the pair are clear understudies, well below the stars they cover for.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Interceptions per match
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MANCHESTER CITY
Bacary Sagna / Gael Clichy
In reserve: Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov
The full back positions are like most roles at Manchester City in that they are occupied by top talent with even the back-up options better than the first-choices at most clubs.
Pep Guardiola seems yet to decide on his favoured option on either side of the defence but whoever is selected has shown themselves equipped to match any opponent. They all appear to have taken on board their new manager’s instructions to come in off the wings as well.
One criticism could be their ages – with all four in their 30s. Perhaps Sagna and Clichy are not as willing to take players on as during their years at Arsenal. But ultimately we’re clutching at straws.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Forward passes per game
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LIVERPOOL
Nathanial Clyne / James Milner
In reserve: Alberto Moreno, Connor Randall, Tiago Ilori
The left-back role quickly emerged as Liverpool’s problem position when on the opening weekend of the season Alberto Moreno had a nightmare against Arsenal. With no obvious option, Jurgen Klopp turned to right-footed midfielder Milner.
Remarkably, the veteran has been perhaps the best left-back in the Premier League since. He’s created 13 chances this season – the nearest to that among the left-backs featured here is Azpilicueta on four. He’s also scored four penalties to boot.
On the other side Clyne is creating even more chances – with an average of two a game. The closest to that here is Bellerin – with one-per-game.
Of the title contenders Liverpool have conceded more than any other – which suggests these two aren’t the whole package. However that might owe more to the leave-nothing-out-there attitude Klopp has his team playing. On current form Liverpool’s full-backs are doing great – but whether they can keep it up and the lack of back-up could become serious issues at Anfield.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Key passes per match
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READ MORE: Who has the best strike force in the Premier League?
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