Full-backs are increasingly being recognized for their contributions to successful teams in Europe and around the world in the 2020s.
Premier League title-winning managers such as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have redefined what is expected of a wide defender. You only need to look at the contributions of the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Kyle Walker to see that the top teams now rely on unlikely sources of creativity and goalscoring to succeed in England's top flight.
Full-backs are now seen as marquee players in the transfer market, the right player who can lock down one side of the defense and provide width and quality delivery from the flank. But which stars could move on this summer, in the Premier League and elsewhere?
Here are the best defenders in the transfer market this summer, of both left and right persuasion.
Signed in 2020 after winning the Europa League with Sevilla, Sergio Reguilon has never been able to settle at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Spanish defender played under four managers during his time in North London but is yet to make it five, having been loaned out to Manchester United and Brentford by Ange Postecoglou in the 2023/24 season. Injuries here and there have prevented him from playing for Spurs, Destiny Udogie who has his preferred position.
Lively but sometimes volatile on the left, Reguilon's passion and desire would be an asset to many of Europe's top sides.
Once thought of as a game-changer for Arsenal, Kieran Tierney has faded into obscurity having previously emerged as one of Celtic's best defenders.
The Scotsman spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and, while he may not have the technical know-how to develop under Mikel Arteta, he can still provide drive and defensive effort at left-back.
Tierney could end up being a mid-table signing in the Premier League and would be worth a swoop for any club looking for a new left-back.
Leonardo Spinazzola is not as strong a defender as he was during Euro 2020, as he was heavily injured during the tournament as Italy claimed silverware.
That record of fitness may be enough to deter some potential suitors this summer, but his contract with Roma expires this year and his versatility and quality in the attacking third are certainly distinguishing qualities that set him apart from other options on the market.
The 31-year-old has spent his entire playing career in Italy and a move abroad may not be possible. In fact, it is a story written by Inter, but fans will have to wait and see.
Rayan Ait-Nouri has been a loyal member of Wolves after four good seasons now, making Angers a permanent loan.
The Algeria international is attracting a lot of attention these days for his forward play on the wing and is reportedly set to interest Chelsea in late 2023.
Ait-Nouri has also been courted by Liverpool, Man City, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain over the past few years and a summer move could be on the cards if the Wanderers receive a big offer.
There is a lot of buzz surrounding Lutsharel Geertruida, who is already attracting rumors of transfer interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
The Feyenoord star is a versatile defender and could be signed on the cheap as his current contract expires next year.
New Reds boss Arne Slot has been linked with several players from his former club and Geertruida's arrival will add depth to his defensive options, especially if he is willing to push Alexander-Arnold forward like Klopp was.
Playing a key role in the double-flying Bayer Leverkusen team, Jeremie Frimpong is now a right-back favored by giants across Europe.
The 23-year-old has scored nine goals and provided seven assists in the Bundesliga, playing a key role on the right, and that devastating performance has seen speculation about his future development.
He spent time at Man City's youth academy and a return shouldn't be ruled out, and he's also the type of player to thrive in Real Madrid's new Galacticos.
Joao Cancelo has been incredibly important to Manchester City's overall success with his excellent delivery from wide and eye to eye with a stunning strike.
A modest outing at the Etihad Stadium saw the Portuguese join Bayern Munich on loan before a short-term switch to Barcelona in 2023/24.
The cash-strapped Catalans will once again rely on the loan market to sign Cancelo next term but City boss Guardiola has given hope that the move will go through this summer.
Chelsea's current recruitment means a number of star signings and they are close to being surplus to requirements. Such was the case last season for Ian Maatsen, who moved to Borussia Dortmund on loan without getting much of a sniff under Mauricio Pochettino.
Horrible mistake in the Champions League final aside, the Netherlands international scored well at Signal Iduna Park and could make a permanent move if Dortmund can reach a deal with his parent club.
New Blues boss Enzo Maresca may be looking for a favorable viewing but expects Maatsen's future to be a topic of conversation throughout the summer.
If one of Europe's top clubs ends up moving with a left-back, Milan star Theo Hernandez could be quickly targeted to fill that void.
The Italian international is one of the most crafty and attacking defenders today and will thrive in the Premier League if a club comes calling in the future.
He is reportedly wanted by Bayern and has been linked with a return to former club Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are building a formidable squad and the latest piece of the jigsaw looks to be coming at left-back, with Bayern and Canada star Alphonso Davies listed as their latest signing.
The 23-year-old gained international fame for his role in Bayern's 2019/20 Champions League-winning campaign, providing great range and a deadly final ball.
Whether it happens this summer or next year is up in the air, but it looks like the speedster will be flying up and down the wing at the Bernabeu very soon.
LEARN MORE FROM THE TOP 25 PLAYERS FROM EVERY CENTER IN WORLD FOOTBALL
Source link
