Stats Analysis: WhoScored's Top Rated Full-Backs

In accordance with our rankings, we analyse the stats of the top five players per position, highlighting just why they have each proved crucial to their respective teams. With the goalkeepers already reviewed, we move on to the full-backs this time round, with the only proviso that each player must have been fielded in the position a minimum of 10 times:

1. Dani Alves, Barcelona. WhoScored Rating 7.46

Only Xavi makes more passes per game for Barcelona than Dani Alves. With the midfield schemer averaging 100.5, it’s a measure of just how integral the right-back is to Pep Guardiola’s tactics that he is second, with 77.3. Afforded so much time in possession, and with 37% of his side’s attacks coming down his flank, it’s no surprise to see Alves stand out offensively.

He makes more accurate crosses (1.3) per game than any Barca player and is third, behind only Lionel Messi and Xavi when it comes to creating goalscoring opportunities, with 2 key passes per game. As a result, Alves has picked up 8 assists so far, only 1 less than Messi’s 9. An average of 1.2 shots is indicative of his threat from deep (though his goal against Atletico Madrid was only his second of the season), while 1 successful dribble per game betters Alexis Sanchez's average (0.8).

Defensively, his game is also impressive. Alves’ 3.1 tackles per game is bettered only by Javier Mascherano, while an average 2 interceptions further illustrates his all-round importance to the La Liga side. With a match rating of 7.46, the Brazilian is the top-rated full-back in the WhoScored rankings and fourth overall for Barca.

2. Marcelo, Real Madrid. WhoScored Rating 7.36

With Real attacking down the left flank 39% on average, Marcelo gets to see plenty of the ball. The left-back makes 58.3 passes per game, which is the third highest of any Madrid player, and far more than Cristiano Ronaldo (38.9) ahead of him on the wing. Marcelo has created plenty of goalscoring opportunities, too; an average of 1.4 key passes is more than Karim Benzema and Kaka (both 1.3), for example, demonstrating his attacking intent.

The Brazilian has picked up a couple of assists from his creative toils, and has also found the net 3 times for Jose Mourinho’s side, from an average 0.9 shots - this is more than Mesut Ozil (0.8). With Ronaldo on the same flank, Marcelo tends not to cross, though, producing just 0.3 per game but, in terms of successful dribbles, he’s number one at Madrid; 2.1 per game is far superior to next best Ronald, with 1.4 in comparison.

Marcelo’s defensive output has also proved key to Madrid. He’s only behind Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa for interceptions (2.5 to 2.6) and has also averaged 2.4 tackles, too. With 2.1 clearances per game also thrown in, the left-back’s all-round play has been a pivotal part in his side’s rise to the top of La Liga and earned a rating of 7.36 in the WhoScored ratings, making Marcelo sixth overall for Mourinho’s table-toppers.

3. Phillip Lahm, Bayern Munich. WhoScored Rating 7.32

A move over to left-back to accommodate summer signing Rafinha on the right hasn’t stopped Lahm from impressing this term. The Bayern skipper is an integral part of his side’s build-up play, averaging 78.6 passes per game, only just less than Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 80.7 for Jupp Heynckes’ team. Lahm benefits from Bayern’s wing play, with 40% of their attacks coming down the left hand side of the pitch but, despite all his possession, creates just 0.9 key passes per game.

Although he plays 8.9 long balls from deep, Lahm’s distribution is still exceptional, with a 90.4% pass accuracy. A reluctance to deliver the ball from out wide sees him make just 0.3 crosses on average, though his 3 assists are only 1 less than the likes of Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller. Lahm’s 1.3 successful dribbles per game are double Rafinha’s 0.6 on the opposite flank but, with a lowly average of 0.4 shots, he has yet to find the net thus far.

Defensively, Lahm has made more tackles than any member of the Bayern back-four. His average of 2.3 edges out Rafinha’s 2.1 amongst the defence, with Schweinsteiger’s 2.6 top for the Bundesliga giants. His 2.8 interceptions per game also impress, though he’s been beaten by an average 1.9 dribbles – the most of any Bayern player and a far more glaring stat when compared with Rafinha’s 0.7. Nevertheless, his overall contribution to the Bayern cause has helped Lahm to a WhoScored rating of 7.32; the seventh best for his side, and third for full-backs in Europe’s elite leagues.

4. Lukasz Piszczek, Borussia Dortmund. WhoScored Rating 7.29

The right-back has been a crucial component in Dortmund’s title defence and has played all but one of their 22 Bundesliga fixtures. With the league leaders managing 54% possession and attacking down the right 34% of the time, Piszczek has averaged 47 passes per game - more than double the tally of Jakub Blaszczykowski (20.4) ahead of him on the right wing in Dortmund’s 4-2-3-1.

Piszczek adds weight to his side’s attacks with 1.2 key passes per game, grabbing 4 assists for his creativity. The Polish international really stands out in his ability to take an opponent on - his average of 1.5 successful dribbles is the equal of Dortmund’s centre forward Robert Lewandowski and almost four times that of left-back Marcel Schmelzer on the other flank. An average of 0.9 shots per game has also seen him net twice, further enhancing his attacking importance for Jürgen Klopp’s side.

Piszczek has been solid at the back, too. His average of 3 tackles is third most impressive at Dortmund, with only Mats Hummels (3.6) managing more amongst the defence. His 2 interceptions are fourth at the club – just behind Hummels’ 2.1 - and Piszczek has also been beaten by just 1.1 dribbles per game, compared to Schmelzer’s 1.7 at left-back. Crucial at both ends of the pitch, his contribution will be key if Klopp’s men are to retain their title and, with a WhoScored average of 7.29, Piszczek is fourth overall at Dortmund and fifth ranked full-back in Europe.

5. Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid. WhoScored Rating 7.25

The former Liverpool man has proved an integral part of Jose Mourinho’s back-four as the season unfolds. Arbeloa’s ability at right-back has allowed Sergio Ramos to move into the heart of the Real back-four and forge a partnership with Pepe through the middle as The Special One’s side close in on the La Liga title.

Arbeloa has played 14 times for the league leaders and, despite having less of an attacking role as Marcelo (above), he has still stood out, with an average of 7.28 in the WhoScored rankings. Making 50 passes per game – the fifth most at Madrid - his role is a more cautious one than the Brazilian; 90.3% pass accuracy is the best of any player who has started more than five games under Mourinho, and even tops Xabi Alonso’s 88.7%.

This safety-first approach is highlighted by a mere 0.1 crosses per game, in addition to 0.6 key passes – half that of Marcelo’s tally - though Arbeloa has still managed to pick up 3 assists. His 0.8 successful dribbles and 0.2 shots per game are also indicative of his tendency to keep matters simple when on the ball.

At the back, his tackles 2.5 tackles and 2.6 interceptions per game  are just slightly up on Marcelo’s figures, and Arbeloa has been beaten by just 10 dribbles this season. This equates to 0.7 per game and compared to Marcelo’s total of 31, or 1.6 per game, is indicative of the greater solidity he affords Mourinho’s side on the opposite flank.