The 20 best right backs in Premier League history ranked

The fullbacks of today’s games are a key position on the pitch, and modern managers want to see them affect the game with their offense, but they’re also solid defensively.

Trent Alexander Arnold is one of the best right-backs the Premier League has seen, but now he’s gone with Liverpool on Real Madrid. But where does he rank in regards to the best right back in Premier League history?

Ranking factors

• exterior

• longevity

• title

• the goal

• A beautiful sheet

• What others said about them

20 best right back in Premier League history: Photo

20

Dan Petresh

Sheffield Wednesday, Chelsea, Bradford, Southampton

The countdown begins with Romanian icon Dan Petrescu. He was the most famous offensive fullback of his time at Chelsea.

Petresh won the then-club record from Sheffield on Wednesday in 1995 to the £2.3 million blues, but he appeared at Stamford Bridge on five years of spells before appearing on top flights for Bradford and Southampton, contributing to over 50 league goals along the way.

19

Antonio Valencia

Wigan, Man Utd

When he moved to England with Wigan, Antonio Valencia, who began as a winger, returned to the role of a slow, offensive right-back under Ir Alex Ferguson.

He still had that offensive power, with the Ecuadorians winning two league titles at Old Trafford and being called the “has everything” player by Ferguson.

18

John O’Shea

Man Utd, Sunderland

Versatile defender John O’Shea has been a right-back multiple times for Man UTD, and has also been used as a centre-back and left-back during his career.

Called “a great expert” by Irishman “never complains” by Irishman, a trusted performer, and before spending seven years at Sunderland, he played in more than 250 Premier League matches for the Red Devils.

17

Wes Brown

Man Utd, Sunderland

Wes Brown, who won five Premier League titles with the Red Devils between 1997 and 2011, continues his right-back trend that he played for Mann UTD and Sunderland.

Like O’Shea, Brown was used in various defensive roles throughout his career and could have excelled at right back. Ir. Alex Ferguson, who knew what he was, was also a huge fan, calling Brown “the best natural defender in the country.”

16

Shemaus Coleman

Everton

Perhaps the best-valued signature in Premier League history, Sheamus Coleman has been extremely important to Everton since joining from Sligo Rovers in 2009.

The Irish came for just £60,000 and made more than 350 league appearances for Toffee and came for praise from Frank Lampard, who called Coleman “a surprise.”

His longevity is fantastic, and in his prime, Coleman is a real threat even in the final third, contributing to 46 top flight goals.

15

Paulo Ferreira

Chelsea

Paulo Ferreira, one of Jose Mourinho’s first signatures at Chelsea in 2004, enjoyed a successful spell at Stamford Bridge, winning three Premier League titles.

The Portuguese defender occasionally went under the radar, but played 29 times in the 2004/05 season.

14

Kieran Trippier

Burnley, Tottenham, Newcastle

After passing through Man City Academy, Kieran Trippier created his name in the Premier League with Burnley before the spells with Tottenham and Newcastle.

Right-back set-piece specialist Trippier was called the perfect modern full-back by defensive icon Roberto Carlos and created it with many goals on top flights.

13

Joao Cancelo

Man City

Another great offensive fullback Joao Cancelo’s Premier League stay was relatively short, but he made a big impact by turning his eye to pass at Man City under Pep Guardiola.

He won three titles in four seasons with Etihad, was selected twice in the PFA Team of the Year and was called one of the best right-backs in the world by Nigel DeJohn.

12

Gary Kelly

Leeds

Leeds United one clubman Irishman Gary Kelly was one of the best right-backs in the early days of the Premier League, making over 300 top flight appearances for White.

Named twice in PFA Team of the Year, Kelly was defensively healthy, but moved forward as much as possible, averaging assists for every 10 appearances on Elland Road.

11

Stephen Kerr

Tottenham, Newcastle, Birmingham

Another old-fashioned right-back, Stephen Kerr appeared in 15 separate Premier League campaigns, but is most often remembered in his time at Tottenham.

He never came close to winning the title, but Kerr was very reliable and right-back, “had everything” according to Ireland’s teammate Kenny Cunningham.