The world's best right-backs have been named and ranked - and four England internationals make the top 10.
The highest of them on football magazine FourFourTwo's countdown is Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, who finishes second on the overall list. But he's beaten for top spot by Manchester City's hit signing, Joao Cancelo.
The Portugal international is described as "the star of the show" in Pep Guardiola's side as they close in on the Premier League title. "Cancelo functions as a defender, a midfielder and an attacker all in one," FFT add.
But take note, Gareth Southgate. Alexander-Arnold - controversially left out of the England manager's last squad - is described as "a class act" with the decision not to call him up in March branded "astonishing".
No doubt Southgate does have plenty of options on the right side of defence, however. Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier comes in fourth, Kyle Walker makes it TWO Man City right-backs on the list by arriving in sixth, while 21-year-old Chelsea defender Reece James is eighth.
But there is no place for Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal and Bayern Munich's French World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard also perhaps surprisingly fail to make the list.
You can see the full list below or read FourFourTwo's full explanation for their placings here.
10. Sergino Dest (Barcelona)
9. Fabian Centonze (Metz)
8. Reece James (Chelsea)
7. Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)
6. Kyle Walker (Man City)
5. Leo Dubois (Lyon)
4. Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
3. Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan)
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
1. Joao Cancelo (Man City)
Moroccan Achraf Hakimi is the top-placed non-Premier League defender in third spot with FFT claiming of the 22-year-old: "The sky's the limit for how much he might improve. He could well be one of the best right-backs in the world for years to come."
Barcelona's Sergino Dest is another young star praised - particularly for his interplay with Lionel Messi - but FFT warn that he needs to improve defensively, adding: "He's poor in the air and his ability to time and executive tackles needs improvement."
Do you agree with the top 10? Let us know in the comments.
All imagery: PA Images
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/top-10s-football-news-the-best-right-backs-in-the-world-have-been-named-and-ranked-20210424
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