The Premier League's 10 Best Right-Backs of All Time
- Think Football Ideas
- Dec 8, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 8
The Premier League Right-Back of All Time: A Definitive List of the Top 10
The Premier League has long been defined by its headline-makers, the scorers and playmakers who dominate the highlight reels. Yet on the right flank, another story tends to quietly unfold.
From tireless defenders who shut down the game’s greatest wingers to modern full-backs who transformed the role into a platform for creativity, the league’s history is filled with right-backs who shaped eras.
This list revisits those figures, players whose consistency, intelligence, and resilience secured their place among the very best.
The top ten right-backs of the Premier League era are more than names on a team sheet. They are symbols of balance, combining grit at the back with invention going forward.
Below Are The 10 Best Premier League Right Backs of All-Time
1. Gary Neville (Manchester United)
Gary Neville, the epitome of loyalty and consistency, spent his entire illustrious career at Manchester United from 1992 to 2011. Becoming a symbol of the club's dominance, Neville's remarkable contributions include 400 appearances, boasting an impressive 37% clean sheet rate with 148 clean sheets.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Neville showcased versatility with 5 goals and 35 assists. With numerous Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League triumph, his influence on the right flank was immeasurable, leaving an enduring legacy at Manchester United.
2. Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur, Man City, Burnley)
Kyle Walker's incredible pace and defensive abilities have made him one of the standout right-backs in the Premier League. He has played crucial roles in both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City's successes.
Walker has amassed over 405 appearances, contributing 8 goals and registering 36 assists while maintaining a remarkable tackle success rate of 74%. In addition to his defensive solidity, he has consistently demonstrated attacking prowess throughout his career.
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Ranked 3rd on our list, Trent Alexander-Arnold embodies the modern-day evolution of right-backs. As we continue to explore the historical records of the Premier League to uncover the top 10 right-back legends, the question naturally arises – who is the best right-back in English history?
This inquiry gains immediate relevance when examining talents like Alexander-Arnold, whose exceptional vision, pinpoint crosses, and instrumental role (often as an inverted full-back) in Liverpool’s recent successes redefined the traditional expectations of the position.
With 259 Premier League appearances, 18 goals, and a remarkable 64 assists, he played a pivotal part in 171 wins and just 34 defeats, culminating in two Premier League titles – the second sealed in the 2024–25 season.
Now, with his chapter in the English top flight closed, Alexander-Arnold embarks on a new challenge at Real Madrid, carrying the legacy of a Liverpool legend and the weight of global expectation.
4. Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Pablo Zabaleta was the epitome of a workhorse right-back. Known for his defensive prowess and work ethic, he played an instrumental role in Manchester City's transformation into a Premier League powerhouse.
Zabaleta's defensive solidity contributed to 86 clean sheets, boasting an impressive 28% clean sheet rate. Beyond his defensive duties, he showcased his attacking abilities with 9 goals and 21 assists, making him a versatile and valuable asset on the field.
5. Lauren (Arsenal)
Lauren Etame Mayer, widely recognised as Lauren, played a pivotal role in the Arsenal squad that achieved an unbeaten run in the Premier League during the 2003-04 season.
He was renowned for his defensive prowess and versatility while playing as a right-back, making a total of 184 league appearances for Arsenal between 2000 and 2007, before later joining Portsmouth for a year.
His defensive contributions were evident in 63 clean sheets, securing an impressive 34% clean sheet rate, while he also displayed attacking flair with 6 goals and 8 assists throughout his impactful career.
6. Branislav Ivanović (Chelsea)
Branislav Ivanovic is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in Premier League history. Known for his physicality, aerial prowess, and attacking contributions, the Serbian defender made 274 league appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 20 assists.
Ivanovic's defensive solidity was equally impressive, contributing to 88 clean sheets during his time on English soil. A three-time Premier League champion (2009/10, 2014/15, 2016/17), he played a pivotal role in one of the most successful periods in Chelsea's history, solidifying his legacy as a Chelsea and Premier League icon.
7. Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Cesar Azpilicueta, affectionately known as "Dave" by Chelsea fans, is a versatile defender who has made a significant impact as a right-back for the club. His defensive reliability, work rate, and ability to contribute in both defence and attack have made him an essential figure in Chelsea's recent successes.
8. Denis Irwin (Manchester United)
Denis Irwin, primarily recognised as a left-back, showcased remarkable versatility throughout his career. With 328 appearances for Manchester United until 2002 and a brief stint with Wolves from 2003 to 2004, Irwin left an enduring impact.
His defensive prowess is evident in a notable 38% clean sheet rate, accumulating 123 clean sheets. Irwin's ability to contribute in attack is reflected in his impressive goal-scoring record of 18 goals and 25 assists. His technical proficiency and adaptability were key factors in Manchester United's triumphs.
9. Lee Dixon (Arsenal)
Lee Dixon, a stalwart right-back during Arsenal's successful era under Arsène Wenger, left an indelible mark with 305 appearances. Renowned for his defensive acumen, Dixon achieved a remarkable 37% clean sheet rate, totalling 114 clean sheets.
Beyond his defensive prowess, he showcased attacking flair with 9 goals and 19 assists. Dixon's reliability and versatility were integral to Arsenal's achievements, cementing his legacy as a key contributor during his tenure with the club until 2002.
10. Steve Finnan (Fulham, Liverpool)
Steve Finnan may not be the most celebrated right-back in the Premier League, but his consistency and reliability make him worthy of recognition. Finnan was a steady presence in defence during his time at Fulham and later at Liverpool.
Let's delve deeper into why some of these right-backs were exceptional and why they make the list.
The Pinnacle of Consistency: Gary Neville
Gary Neville epitomised Manchester United’s success throughout the Premier League era. Raised through the club’s youth ranks, he became a symbol of consistency and loyalty for the Red Devils.
His tactical awareness, defensive tenacity, and timely interceptions made him an essential force at right-back, crucially supporting United's backline against top-tier wingers.
More than just a defender, Neville was a vocal leader who embodied United’s ethos under Sir Alex Ferguson.
His trophy-laden career, including eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, and the 1999 Champions League, reflects his invaluable impact. But it was his relentless commitment, week in and week out, that won fans’ hearts worldwide.
Kyle Walker: The Modern Right-Back
Kyle Walker embodied the evolution of the right-back role with his explosive pace, defensive skill, and instinct to drive forward.
Starting at Tottenham Hotspur, Walker quickly became known for his speed, allowing him to recover defensively and make surging runs. His defensive awareness sharpened over time, making him a formidable presence.
Moving to Manchester City elevated Walker's game. Under Pep Guardiola, he improved tactically, integrating seamlessly into City’s possession-based system before leaving in 2025.
Walker’s contributions were immensely crucial in City’s successes, which included five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, the 2023 UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup in 2023. Our Kyle Walker facts provide more insight into the defender.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: The Modern Magician
Trent Alexander-Arnold has redefined the right-back role, bringing creativity and precision that defies traditional expectations.
A product of Liverpool's academy, he’s known for his vision and pinpoint crosses, becoming a key part of Liverpool’s attack. In the 2019-20 season, he recorded an impressive 13 Premier League assists, a record for a defender.
His game intelligence and ability to control tempo made him invaluable, whether playing as an inverted full-back or delivering perfect set pieces. While he continued to improve defensively, it’s his confidence and playmaking that truly stood out.
Under Jürgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold was central to Liverpool’s golden era, winning the Premier League in the 2019–20 season, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup in 2022, as well as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
Under Klopp's successor Arne Slot, Trent helped seal a second Premier League title in the 2024–25 campaign, before closing his English chapter with a high-profile move to Real Madrid.
Pablo Zabaleta: The Heartbeat of Man City's Transformation
Pablo Zabaleta became a defining figure in Manchester City’s transformation under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership, representing both City’s success and its new identity.
His dedication and leadership helped shape the club's culture as it rose to prominence in English and European football.
Zabaleta was a relentless defender, mixing sharp positioning with clean tackles that stifled wingers, while also thriving as a modern full-back who contributed at both ends. But it was his leadership, quietly commanding and deeply passionate, that truly defined him.
Though rarely captain, he inspired teammates and fans alike. With 2 Premier League titles, 2 League Cups, and an FA Cup to his name, he left City as a beloved icon.
Cesar Azpilicueta: Mr. Versatile
Cesar Azpilicueta, affectionately dubbed "Dave" by Chelsea fans, was a pillar of consistency at right-back throughout his Premier League years. Renowned for his defensive discipline, tireless work rate, and tactical intelligence, he became indispensable to Chelsea before departing for Atlético Madrid in 2023.
While his versatility allowed him to thrive across the backline, it was at right-back where his sharp reading of the game and standout one-on-one defending truly shone in the Premier League. He also captained Chelsea through multiple trophy-laden campaigns, including the club’s 2021 Champions League triumph.
Steve Finnan: A Steady Hand at the Back
Steve Finnan may not have been the flashiest right-back in Premier League history, but his quiet consistency made him indispensable. At Fulham and Liverpool, he was a composed, tactically sound presence, rarely caught out of position and reliable in one-on-one duels.
His game-reading and clean tackling often flew under the radar, but were vital to defensive stability. Going forward, he offered functional width and crisp deliveries, not glamorous, but effective.
A true team player, Finnan capped his career highlights by helping Liverpool to that unforgettable 2005 Champions League triumph.