Reece James or Trent Alexander-Arnold: Who is the Premier League’s best right-back?

07/03/22 2115

Modern full-backs are tasked with being creative players. In 2022, the full-back is just as creative as the classic No. 10, yet he or she has to take on more responsibility throughout the game.

The Premier League is currently blessed with two of the best – if not the best – full-backs in the world, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James. The two Englishmen will battle for a place in the England World Cup squad later this year.

So far, both players have shown their worth to national team coach Gareth Southgate. However, before the World Cup comes around, there will be a lot of club football to finish and both players are vital to their respective team’s chances of winning silverware this season.

Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold has already tasted glory this season. The right-back helped Liverpool lift the Carabao Cup with a penalty shootout win over Chelsea.

Alexander-Arnold has been fantastic with two league goals and 11 assists in 24 matches. The Liverpool defender currently leads the Premier League in assists. He has an expected assist figure of 10.79. In all competitions, Alexander-Arnold has 17 assists in 32 matches.

Let’s not forget the defensive contributions Alexander-Arnold makes. He has been a part of 14 clean sheets in the Premier League this season for the Reds.

While James doesn’t have the assist stats that Alexander-Arnold does, the Chelsea right-back has scored a few more goals. James has five league goals and six league assists in 17 matches. Injuries sidelined James at times during the first half of the campaign.

James has six goals and seven assists in 26 matches in all competitions. Although Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup, he wasn’t a part of the team on the field due to an injury. The defender has played a part in eight Premier League clean sheets for the Blues in 2021-22.

There is no doubt that James is important to Chelsea, but Thomas Tuchel can live without him. Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, cannot live without Alexander-Arnold in the team. Alexander-Arnold is a vital member of the side and without him, Liverpool lack a creative spark.

Klopp has played Alexander-Arnold 2,134 minutes in the Premier League. James has played 949 minutes fewer in the league with a total of 1,185 minutes played. Of course, injuries have put James on the sidelines this season, but even when fit, Tuchel has opted for other players in defence.

Another key difference in the two players is the number of yellow cards they have received. Alexander-Arnold has just one yellow card in the league, showing his cool-headed demeanour in  defence.

James has four yellow cards and one red card this term. Coincidentally, his red card came against Liverpool at Anfield. The Chelsea defender blocked a goal-bound shot on the line with his hand resulting in an equalising penalty for the Reds.

Both full-backs play a key role for their teams. Yet, the £72 million rated Alexander-Arnold continues to show why he is the best full-back in the Premier League and the world. James is a close second, but his lack of assists and minutes show he has a way to go to catch his Liverpool rival.