New Delhi: When we talk about fullbacks, people often underestimate the shift that these players put up on the field for their sides. The flanks of the field have been considered to be an important area when it comes to offence and causing attacking threats. With the growing popularity and demand of quickness and skillset, attacking wingers have gained that respect over the years and it is pretty common to see clubs signing these quick and skillful wingers to improve their attacks.
However, with the amount of threat that these players can produce, it is important for the opposing sides to nullify that threat and provide that breathing space to the central defenders. This is where the role of a fullback comes in handy, as this position requires them to stop the attack and the threat produced by the opposition wingers. From cutting off the supply from the wing to stop any sort of goal driven attack launched by the oppositon side, the fullbacks play a major role in handling these threats for their side.
With the introduction of news fullback style of play, the modern fullbacks have shown how good they can be going forward to participate in any sort of attacking play that their team produces. Over the years, this approach of fullbacks going forward and producing the attacking threat has become a popular tactic, used by some of the greatest tacticians in world football. Let’s have a look at some of the top fullbacks in world football in the present time.
Nuno Tavares
No player has provided more assists than Nuno Tavares in Europe’s top five leagues this season:
👥 9 games
🅰️ 8 assists
Lazio’s owner said he wouldn’t sell the left-back for €70M earlier this week 👀 pic.twitter.com/W4nDVqA4fU
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 31, 2024
The Portuguese giants Benfica have a reputation of producing some great talents and when we talk about Nuno Tavares, he has had his fair share of ups and downs. The 24-year-old fullback came up the ranks at Benfica B side to start for the first team back in 2019/20 season. After making a name for himself at the Portuguese league, the top prospect earned himself a move to Arsenal but things just didn’t work out for the defender.
With a few decent loan seasons at Marseille and Nottingham Forest, the Portuguese has finally found his rhythm at Lazio this season. Tavares already has a total of eight assists in nine starts for the Eagles and he has been a prominent figure at the club, who currently sit fifth in the Serie A table. Defensively the Portuguese has been spot on with his display, with his ability to fall back and help his team at the back. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes for Tavares. He has had a bright start to his life in Italy, sitting top of the assists list.
Theo Hernandez
Theo Hernandez vs Rennes:
3 key passes, 3/3 dribbles, 2 big chances created, 1 assist.
5/7 duels won, 3 clearances, 2 interceptions.
12 goal/assist in 32 games this season, playing both as LB & CB.
The one guarantee in our defense 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UCefnSmMf5
— Saturnion 🙂 (@saturnion13) February 22, 2024
Theo Hernandez has maintained his reputation as one of the best fullbacks in the business for the past six seasons now, ever since he joined the Rossoneri. The 27-year-old fullback has been a sensational player for Milan and despite the fact that Fonseca’s side are not having the brightest of seasons, but Hernandez has been one of the few positive aspects from this season. The fullback has been proving his worth to the team for quite a few seasons now, and this season he has already had a total of four goal contributions in the league.
When it comes to the defensive side of his game, he truly is a solid prospect, running back tirelessly to make those crucial blocks and interceptions to help his side at the back. The fullback has been a fantastic asset for the Rossoneri and he will be a crucial figure for Milan to get back on track and make the most out of their season.
Josko Gvardiol
Joško Gvardiol’s Impressive Stats for Manchester City:
🏟 51 appearances
⚽️ 6 goals
🅰️ 3 assists
All from a defender! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/TV5qTnUskz
— WIRESBALL (@WIRESBALL) September 28, 2024
One of the best signings from last season has to be Manchester City going for the Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. A natural centre back who has excelled playing as a left back under Pep Guardiola, has been instrumental for the City. With three goals already this season in 11 appearances this season, Gvardiol has had quite and impact and building a reputation as a goalscoring defender. The defender has scored a few unbelievable goals this season, and his ability to go upfront and produce this sort of a threat is already making him a great asset for Pep’s side.
His defensive play is yet another factor that makes him a great addition to the lineup, as he has been solid at the back, with his game reading ability and physicality. The 22-year-old has had a more than decent season under the Spanish mastermind and Pep has utilised the Croatian defender well.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo
📊 Random Stats
Da quando ha raggiunto la Serie A con l’Empoli nella stagione 17/18, Giovanni Di Lorenzo ha giocato 108 partite da titolare su 116 (93%). Nessun giocatore di movimento ha fatto meglio del terzino del Napoli e della Nazionale pic.twitter.com/qxGGXdHvJC
— Kickest (@Kickest_it) September 2, 2021
Another player that is silently having a great season is the Napoli skipper, Giovanni Di Lorenzo. A highly underrated right back who has turned out to be a massive asset for the the Napoli side over the past few seasons.The 31-year-old fullback has been at the club for a while now and he is one of their consistent performers. The Italian has all the attributes that a manager demands from his fullback, be it the physicality, pace and the ability to go the distance and fulfil his duties for the entire 90 minutes on the pitch or even more.
Di Lorenzo has already scored thrice this season and he ia s great threat for the opposition when he is running forward. When it comes to overlapping runs and combining with other players upfront, Di Lorenzo is without a doubt one of the best in Europe. The Italian is an all round fullback who has been quite handy for Antonio Conte’s side this season.
Jules Kounde
KOUNDE HAT TRICK OF ASSISTS! 🎯
BEST RB IN THE WORLD? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/3jnkErHiJG
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 6, 2024
Another defender that has had a career revivals this season is FC Barcelona’s right back Jules Kounde who has been pretty solid for the Catalan side this season. Kounde has been a solid defensive figure at the right, and he has been a constant performer for a rather confident Barcelona side this season. The Frenchman has contributed in both the sides of the pitch for Hansi Flick’s dominant Barcelona side, and with five goal contributions in all competitions, he is already proving to be a massive asset for the team.
However, considering the fact that his defensive contributions are much more prominent than what he does attackingly, he has been a solid presence at the back. The French defender has already been a strong prospect who has showcased his ability to make those impressive takcles and interceptions and he has seemed to be enjoying playing football under Hansi Flick.
Here’s a look at the top five fullbacks who are having a great season for their respective clubs and nations Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
