In earlier times, fullbacks were primarily viewed as the last line of defence alongside the centre-backs. However, this role has evolved significantly in modern football. Today’s fullbacks are expected to contribute not only defensively but also in attack. They are versatile, dynamic players who push forward, deliver key passes, and provide crucial crosses to forwards.
Finding a fullback who can balance these defensive and attacking responsibilities is akin to slotting in the final piece of the jigsaw that completes the entire puzzle.
The rankings below are based on the following criteria:
- Performances, potential, and consistency
- Player’s importance and relevance to his team
- Success relative to the team’s targets
Let’s take a look at the best fullbacks of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Note: All stats mentioned below have been taken from PremierLeague.com and FBref.com.
Top 10 fullbacks from the 2024/25 Premier League season
10. Rayan Aït-Nouri | Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rayan Aït-Nouri is a player worth mentioning here. Despite Wolves having a particularly underwhelming season, Aït-Nouri produced top performances this season to help ensure the team could stay in the top flight next season.
Aït-Nouri is an attack-minded fullback who can play as a wingback as well. He is known for his dribbling skills, progressive carries, and ability to provide crosses and passes in the final third, and while he isn’t that solid defensively, what he offers offensively is a trade-off Wolves have been more than willing to make.
This season, the Algerian produced exceptional numbers in attack: scoring four goals, bagging seven assists, with 2.58 progressive carries per 90, 94 crosses with 27% accuracy, and eight big chances created in 37 league appearances. He also had a 64% tackle success rate, with 89 tackles, 26 interceptions, 145 ball recoveries, and 66 clearances.
Rayan Aït-Nouri was one of the few bright spots in a challenging season for Wolves. Given his talent, technical ability, and consistent displays, it was hardly a surprise when Manchester City swooped in for his signature not too long ago.
9. Aaron Wan-Bissaka | West Ham United
The ex-Manchester United right-back found his form with the Hammers this term. Even though West Ham endured a difficult season, Wan-Bissaka was one of their standout players, providing an attacking threat from the right flank.
The 27-year-old was initially a more defensive-minded fullback but has now added a new dimension to his game, having improved his attacking ability. He is superb in 1v1 defending and one of the best tacklers in the Premier League. In addition, he also possesses pace and agility to track back and prevent opposition wingers from attacking.
This season, the DR Congo international registered two goals and five assists in 36 league appearances, with 3.14 progressive carries per 90, 76 crosses delivered with a 21% accuracy, and seven big chances created. He also maintained a 70% tackle success rate with 70 tackles, 66 interceptions, 174 ball recoveries, and 111 clearances.
In what was a disappointing season by their standards, the Irons finished 14th in the Premier League. However, it was in part thanks to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s outstanding performances and defensive consistency that West Ham managed to steer clear of relegation.
8. Jurriën Timber | Arsenal
In a highly talked-about Arsenal backline, Jurriën Timber ended up quietly having a top-class season at right-back. The Netherlands international helped his team secure Champions League football and a second-place finish this season.
Timber is a dynamic defender who can play at centre-back and as a midfielder as well. He possesses decent vision, great passing range, and the ability to stay calm and composed under pressure. In addition, he is a top defender who can put in tackles and interceptions while excelling in aerial duels as well.
This season, Timber contributed to Arsenal’s cause with one goal, three assists, and 1.93 progressive carries per 90, delivering 28 crosses with a 14% accuracy and creating one big chance in 30 league appearances. He helped the Gunners keep seven clean sheets and maintained a 66% tackle success rate, with 58 tackles, 22 interceptions, 94 ball recoveries, and 41 clearances.
Timber proved to be a vital component of Arsenal’s backline this season. His importance to the team was evident — in his absence, the defence looked less assured, and the right flank lacked its usual attacking threat. At just 24 years old, Timber already displays maturity and composure beyond his years, with the potential to develop even further in the seasons to come.
7. Marc Cucurella | Chelsea
Marc Cucurella was vital to Chelsea’s defensive backline as well as their attack this season. He proved to be one of the star performers in this Blues setup that finally secured Champions League football after a two-year absence and lifted the Europa Conference League trophy.
Cucurella is another modern-day fullback who likes to go forward, overlapping and linking up with his wingers. He also possesses excellent dribbling skills and a high work rate, all the while being an agile, tenacious defender. Cucurella can also score from long range and netted some crucial goals this season.
This season, Cucurella scored five goals, provided two assists, had 1.05 progressive carries per 90, delivered 31 crosses with 16% accuracy, and created three big chances in 36 PL games. He also helped Chelsea keep nine clean sheets and maintained a tackle success rate of 67%, with 67 tackles, 28 interceptions, 130 ball recoveries, and 80 clearances.
Simply put, Marc Cucurella enjoyed a superb season with Chelsea. With his high energy levels and relentless work rate, he consistently contributed at both ends of the pitch. His ability to combine defensive solidity with offensive support makes him an invaluable asset. The Spaniard embodies the kind of character needed in every squad.
6. Ola Aina | Nottingham Forest
Ola Aina was simply sensational in the Nottingham Forest backline this season. He was part of one of the most solid defences in the league alongside Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, and Neco Williams.
Aina is a defence-first fullback. He has great game and positional awareness, stays composed under pressure, and is great at tackling. However, he does like to bomb forward, making overlapping runs as well as decisive passes in the final third.
This season, Aina scored two goals, provided one assist, made 2.01 progressive carries per 90, delivered 139 crosses with 21% accuracy, and created three big chances in 35 league appearances. He helped Forest keep 11 clean sheets and maintained a 76% tackle success rate with 55 tackles, 33 interceptions, 190 ball recoveries, and 106 clearances.
The Nigerian fullback delivered a series of impressive defensive performances this season, playing a key role in keeping his team in contention for CL qualification for much of the league campaign.
5. Joško Gvardiol | Manchester City
Joško Gvardiol was one of the most important players for Man City this time around. With the team in complete disarray for most of the season, Gvardiol stood out for his impressive performances, providing defensive solidity as well as an attacking threat on the left flank.
Gvardiol is a dynamic defender who can play both as a centre-back and a left-back. The Croatia international is a tenacious defender but also enjoys going forward and supporting the attacking phases. Exceptional in aerial duels, Gvardiol is a constant threat from corners and set pieces in the opposition box. He possesses good tackling skills, stays composed under pressure, and has great game awareness.
This season, the 23-year-old scored five goals, made 2.55 progressive carries per 90, delivered 55 crosses with 13% accuracy, and created one big chance in 37 Premier League appearances. He helped City keep 11 clean sheets and maintained a 67% tackle success rate with 58 tackles, 44 interceptions, 137 ball recoveries, and 111 clearances.
The 6?1? Croat was a standout performer for Pep Guardiola’s side this season, playing a key role in City’s successful push for Champions League qualification despite their struggles.
4. Antonee Robinson | Fulham
Antonee Robinson also had a season to remember. Even though Fulham failed to secure European football for next season, the US international provided the majority of the attacking threat from the Cottagers’ left flank this season.
Robinson is an attack-minded fullback who likes to make both overlapping and underlapping runs on the left flank. He is a runner with great work rate, attacking prowess, and the ability to deliver accurate balls into the box. The 27-year-old provided the most assists of any defender in the league this season.
This season, Robinson registered ten assists, made 3.35 progressive carries per 90, delivered 170 crosses with 25% accuracy, and created six big chances in 36 league appearances. He helped Fulham keep five clean sheets and maintained a 64% tackle success rate with 95 tackles, 62 interceptions, 157 ball recoveries, and 123 clearances.
Antonee Robinson offers a well-rounded blend of attacking and defensive qualities, contributing effectively at both ends of the pitch. While Fulham narrowly missed out on European qualification this season, the left-back made a strong impression with his consistent performances and has caught the eye of many Premier League heavyweights, earning widespread recognition for his efforts.
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world. This season was no exception, as the English right-back assisted Liverpool in securing their 20th league title.
Alexander-Arnold is an attack-minded fullback with exceptional vision and awareness. His passing range is second to none: he can spray accurate cross-field balls to switch play in a matter of seconds, play line-breaking through balls and long passes over the top of opposition defenders, and deliver precise dead balls. Much maligned for his defensive frailties in recent years, the England international’s defensive numbers have also shown improvement this season.
This season, Alexander-Arnold scored three goals and bagged seven assists in 33 league games, making 1.72 progressive carries per 90, delivering 153 crosses with 25% accuracy, and creating 15 big chances. He helped the Reds keep four clean sheets and maintained a 69% tackle success rate with 72 tackles, 31 interceptions, 132 ball recoveries, and 48 clearances.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was instrumental to Liverpool’s success during the Jürgen Klopp era before playing a crucial role in Arne Slot’s title-winning campaign in his first season. As he leaves Anfield behind to join Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold’s departure marks the end of an era. Both Liverpool and the Premier League will undoubtedly feel his absence next season.
2. Milos Kerkez | Bournemouth
Milos Kerkez was undoubtedly one of the best fullbacks this season. The Bournemouth left-back showed spectacular form and astounded one and all.
Kerkez is an attack-minded left-back with great pace and an incredible work rate. He also possesses excellent movement and crossing ability, along with an eye for goal. Though the defensive side of his game needs slight improvement, his pace and energy allow him to track back quickly and put in tackles and interceptions when out of possession.
This season, Kerkez scored two goals and bagged six assists in 38 league games, making 2.86 progressive carries per 90, delivering 147 crosses with 27% accuracy, and creating eight big chances. He helped the Cherries keep nine clean sheets and maintained a 50% tackle success rate, with 52 tackles, 46 interceptions, 169 ball recoveries, and 99 clearances.
Milos Kerkez played a pivotal role in Bournemouth’s push for European qualification, contributing significantly to the club’s highest-ever Premier League points tally. The dynamic fullback’s performances did not go unnoticed, and Liverpool have secured his services as a long-term replacement for the ageing Andy Robertson.
1. Daniel Muñoz | Crystal Palace
Quite simply, Daniel Muñoz was sensational for the Eagles this season. The Colombian right-back was responsible for most of Palace’s attacks from the right flank, providing crosses in the final third. He also helped Crystal Palace win their first trophy — the FA Cup — this season.
Muñoz is a versatile player who can operate as both a fullback and a wingback. He possesses exceptional work rate, pace, and movement to push up the pitch. He is equally adept at defending, running tirelessly to tackle and intercept, and is strong in aerial duels as well. The 29-year-old is among the players who covered the most distance in the league this season.
This season, Muñoz scored four goals and provided six assists in 37 league games, making 1.73 progressive carries per 90, delivering 74 crosses with 26% accuracy, and creating seven big chances. He helped Palace keep 11 clean sheets and maintained a 65% tackle success rate, with 123 tackles, 44 interceptions, 171 ball recoveries, and 94 clearances.
The Crystal Palace fullback enjoyed a standout season, delivering consistently impressive performances that had a major impact on the team’s success. With the Eagles set to compete in the Europa League next season, the influential right-back will be key to their ambitions of making a deep run in the tournament.
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