Here are the five Premier League defenders who have contributed the most to the offensive side of the game this season, including Trent Alexander Arnold, Jao Cancelo and Andy Robertson.
A defender’s primary duty is normally to protect opposing attackers from scoring. However, this is no longer the case, the defenders must first contribute to the offense without neglecting their defensive duties.
With the new High Press and Back Five formation played in Europe, Defenders are allowed to advance with the protection provided by the Defensive and Central midfielders. With the Premier League being the most entertaining league in the world, let’s take a look at the top five Premier League defenders this season:
5. Matt Doherty – 6 Goals Contribution
Matt Doherty’s career has been on a downward trajectory since his transition from Wolves to Tottenham Hotspurs. Spurs boss at the time, Jose Mourinho, signed him for the back four formation, which clearly didn’t fit his game and quickly broke his pecking order. Nuno Esperito Santo didn’t give him much points and it looked like he was going to eventually be sold at a loss.
But everything has changed since the arrival of Antonio Conte, who used him as both left and right-back. Conte’s famous back-three approach has the best of Matt Doherty this season, at least on offense.
He’s contributed six goals, so two goals and four assists, the same as Matty Cash and Ruben Dias have managed, but since Doherty only started 15 games all season, he’s ahead of them.
4. Joao Cancelo – 8 goals
Joao Cancelo has been forced to become a left-back this season due to Benjamin Mendy’s suspension and Zinchenko’s lack of full trust by Pep Guardiola. Cancelo also had a fierce rivalry with right-back Kyle Walker and would share minutes with him, but he’s made the left-back area his own this season.
He’s always been a great offensive player and has played more friendly games than any other fullback, helping him contribute eight goals and seven assists in a blitz this season.
3. Andy Robertson – 12 goals scored
Andy Robertson has been in the top five for goal contribution every season since he took the left side of Liverpool’s defence into an own goal. Andrew Robertson may be one of the best deals of the last decade when Liverpool bought him from Hull City for a meager £7m transfer fee.
Andy Robertson has twelve goals in 28 starts, including two goals and ten assists.
Liverpool play high-intensity football with their full backs, the main source of creativity, and defend the area behind them while the midfielders attack. This means that fullbacks are more involved in offensive spells than defenders of other teams. Expect the other half of the famous duo to make the list soon.
2. Reece James – 13 goals
Reece James recently recovered somewhat from injury and contributed quickly to the offense. The Chelsea academy graduate has been one of the best performing players for Chelsea this season. Behind him, he looked defensively solid and deadly when he joined the attack.
James is the player with the most goals of any name on this list, with five of them in the Premier League. He also contributed eight assists, bringing the total number of goals to 13. The numbers could have been even higher had it not been for the injury.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold – 14 goals
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the other half of Liverpool’s deadly duo, was arguably the best right-back in the world. An academy product, Alexander-Arnold hasn’t looked back since making his debut for the veteran Reds.
Alexander-Arnold is the epitome of a world-class offensive wing. He has a surprising ability to find other attackers with a cross in his opponent’s box. His skill in a dead ball situation further showcases his technical expertise.
In 31 appearances this season, Alexander-Arnold is the player with the most goals scored among defenders in the Premier League. He reached double digits with twelve assists this season.
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