From Gary Neville's work ethic to Kyle Walker's gamebreaking speed and Trent Alexander-Arnold's mercurial passing ability, the role of a right-back has changed over time, but the talent level across the league is perhaps the highest today that it's ever been.
Below are the greatest right-backs in the Premier League right now, updated weekly.
Ranking factors
To help rank the right-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:
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Current form - how well a player has been performing
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Importance to their teams - how influential they are to their team
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Role - how unique their skillset is
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Reputation - what others are saying about them
10
Ben White
Ben White's versatility has become one of Mikel Arteta's most valuable tools at Arsenal, and his performances at right-back have been just as assured as they are at centre-back. His reading of the game and composure on the ball make him a low-risk, high-reward option in that position, while he also adds end product, scoring seven times and providing 14 assists during his time in North London.
Arsenal's defensive record speaks for itself, and White's ability to slot seamlessly in on the right speaks volumes, even if injuries have held him back from being further up this list.
9
Nordi Mukiele
Nordi Mukiele has settled into life at Sunderland far quicker than most expected, bringing genuine pedigree from his time at RB Leipzig and PSG to a side adjusting to life back in the Premier League.
His physicality and experience playing centre-back had many tipping him to start in the middle for the Black Cats. Instead, he was an absolute revelation under Regis Le Bris during his debut campaign in England, pitching in with seven direct goal involvements en route to four Premier League man of the match awards.
"Nordi shows this energy, this commitment, this level of creativity - even for a defender" - Regis Le Bris
8
Malo Gusto
Malo Gusto has continued to develop into one of the most dependable right-backs in the league at Chelsea, filling the role to an elite level whenever Reece James is either injured or deployed in midfield.
His combination of recovery pace and composure on the ball has made him a regular fixture whenever fit, and he's shown real growth defensively over the past couple of seasons. With competition for places at Chelsea fiercer than almost anywhere else in the league, the fact that Gusto keeps forcing his way into contention says plenty about his quality.
7
Tino Livramento
After injury setbacks threatened to derail his career, Tino Livramento's rise at Newcastle has been a sight to behold. The England international has established himself as one of the most highly-rated young right-backs in the country.
His combination of recovery pace, ball-carrying and positional intelligence made him a mainstay under Eddie Howe, and there's a strong case that his best years are still ahead of him with new manager Matthias Jaissle expected to play an aggressive style of football.
Years
Club
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2009–2021
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Chelsea
|
|
2021–2023
|
Southampton
|
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2023–
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Newcastle United
|
6
Michael Kayode
Michael Kayode has emerged as one of Brentford's most reliable performers since establishing himself at right-back, and was one of the real breakout stars in the Premier League last season.
His defensive solidity that has been crucial to Brentford's stability, averaging 1.8 tackles per game in the 2025/26 season, and it feels like only a matter of time before he starts adding consistent goals and assists on the end of his surging runs forward.
His long throw-ins - whether rival fans appreciate the tactic or not - are also one of the most unique and problematic weapons in the top flight.
5
Matty Cash
Matty Cash remains a key figure for Aston Villa, and his importance to Unai Emery's side goes beyond just defending his flank. The Poland international continues to offer a genuine goal threat from right-back, chipping in with three goals and five assists across all competitions in 2025/26.
He might not always get the headlines that some of the more heralded fullbacks in the league do, but Cash's combination of defensive work rate and attacking output makes him one of the most complete right-backs in the Premier League and he is now a Europa League winner following Villa's success in Istanbul.
4
Daniel Munoz
Daniel Munoz has become one of the most exciting attacking full-backs in the league since joining Crystal Palace, offering a genuine goal threat that few players in his position can match. His energy and directness have made him a nightmare for Premier League defences to deal with.
An established Colombia international with five goals in over 50 caps, Munoz has averaged more than 2.6 tackles per game in all three of his Premier League seasons.
3
Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro has established himself as one of the most consistent attacking threats from right-back anywhere in the Premier League, with 19 top flight assists to his name since joining Tottenham in 2023.
Defensively, he's improved year on year, and he was one of the standout stars of Spain's 2026 World Cup win, scoring twice in the competition and performing consistently throughout, earning himself a place in the team of the tournament.
"I think Pedro is the 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 right-back in the world." - Roberto De Zerbi
2
Reece James
When fit, there are few better right-backs - or players for that matter - in world football than Reece James. The Chelsea captain has long been considered one of the most talented players in his position, capable of dictating games from the back or inverting into midfield when required, while his set piece specialty is yet another weapon for both Chelsea and England.
Injury troubles have cost him time on the pitch in recent seasons, but when fit and firing, his ceiling remains higher than almost anyone else on this list.
1
Jurrien Timber
Jurrien Timber has been nothing short of sensational since transitioning into a full-back role at Arsenal. The Dutchman ranks among the best in the league for both defensive and offensive metrics while barely losing a challenge throughout the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal's defensive solidity has been central to their recent success, and Timber's versatility and reliability at right-back have been one of the foundations of it. He's not just the best right-back in the Premier League right now - he might be the most complete full-back in the world, full stop.
Jurrien Timber major honours won
Season
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Premier League
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2025–26
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Eredivisie
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2021–22, 2020–21
|
|
KNVB Cup
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2020–21
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Top 20 right-backs in the Premier League
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Rank
|
Player
|
Club
|
Nation
|
1
Jurrien Timber
|
Arsenal
|
Netherlands
|
2
Reece James
|
Chelsea
|
England
|
3
Pedro Porro
|
Tottenham
|
Spain
|
4
Daniel Munoz
|
Crystal Palace
|
Colombia
|
5
Matty Cash
|
Aston Villa
|
Poland
|
6
Michael Kayode
|
Brentford
|
Italy
|
7
Tino Livramento
|
Newcastle
|
England
|
8
Malo Gusto
|
Chelsea
|
France
|
9
Nordi Mukiele
|
Sunderland
|
France
|
10
Ben White
|
Arsenal
|
England
|
11
Matheus Nunes
|
Man City
|
Portugal
|
12
Kenny Tete
|
Fulham
|
Netherlands
|
13
Jeremie Frimpong
|
Liverpool
|
Netherlands
|
14
Ola Aina
|
Nottingham Forest
|
Nigeria
|
15
Diogo Dalot
|
Man United
|
Portugal
|
16
Conor Bradley
|
Liverpool
|
Northern Ireland
|
17
Milan van Ewijk
|
Coventry
|
Netherlands
|
18
Noussair Mazraoui
|
Man United
|
Morocco
|
19
Joao Costinha
|
Brighton
|
Portugal
|
20
Juanlu Sanchez
|
Bournemouth
|
Spain
|
5 days ago
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