The finest defensive players on the right side of the back four.
A position that is becoming increasingly important and modern football and is developing all the time is the full-back, so here are the 10 best currently playing the game on the right-hand side.
10. Daniel Carvajal, Real Madrid
Came through the ranks at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu before being sold to Bayer Leverkusen in 2012, but with the option of a buy back fee.
Sure enough the Spaniard impressed so much in the Bundesliga that Madrid had to buy the defender back and Carvajal has become a stalwart in the starting XI since then.
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9. Mathieu Debuchy, Newcastle United
Arrived in England in January 2013 and initially struggled to get used to life at St James’ Park, but things have turned around this season.
In fact Debuchy has been playing so well under Alan Pardew that the 27-year-old is regularly being given a place in the France national team.
8. Juanfran, Atletico Madrid
A large part of Atletico’s success this term has been based on their solid defensive performances and this former Los Blancos man is key to that.
At 29-years-old the Spain international has finally found his form and could well lead Atleti to the title and Champions League glory this year.
7. Bacary Sagna, Arsenal
Competing with Debuchy at the moment to get into the French starting XI, but having been so brilliant at the Emirates Stadium this campaign that could well change.
The 31-year-old’s contract with the Gunners expires in the summer and as yet the two parties have failed to come to a new agreement, meaning Sagna could well be available on a free transfer in a few months time.
6. Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City
There has perhaps been a slight dip in form this season compared to last year for the Argentine, but is still established in the first teams of both City and the national team.
The 29-year-old is very good defensively, although could perhaps try and bring more to the attack on occasions.
5. Gregory van der Wiel, Paris Saint-Germain
This Netherlands international was signed by super rich PSG in the summer of 2012 from Ajax and is now one of the best attacking full-backs in world football.
Should also play a big part in the Dutch campaign at the 2014 World Cup this summer and will be looking to link up with Robin van Persie as he does with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the Parc des Princes.
4. Lukasz Piszczek, Borussia Dortmund
Unfortunately for Dortmund the Poland international has been injured for a lot of this campaign, as have many of their players, and this has affected their form on the pitch.
Piszczek has now been at the Westfalenstadion for nearly four years and has helped them to two German titles and a Champions League final in that time.
3. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
The Serb has really worked hard to become a good right-back having initially started his career at Stamford Bridge in central defence.
However, whilst Ivanovic always had the defensive capabilities the 29-year-old has developed in attack and is now a fine asset on the offensive front.
2. Dani Alves, Barcelona
Of the modern full-backs that are needed more in attack than defence this Brazil international is the master and has been a stalwart during all of Barca’s recent success.
Now 30-years-old the South American is still as good as ever and the £27m transfer fee (as well as add-ons) the Catalans paid Sevilla in 2008 no longer looks so foolhardy.
1. Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich
Yet perhaps the most consistent right-back of all time, never mind currently playing, has been the Bayern and Germany captain Lahm.
Whether on the right or left – or now defensive midfield under Pep Guardiola – the 30-year-old never looks fazed or flustered and is a real asset to whoever he plays for.
