The top 10 wing-backs in Europe, according to WhoScored.com
Thursday 19 January 2017 12:20, UK
Wing-backs are in demand as teams continue to switch to three at the back, but who is the best in Europe? WhoScored.com check the stats to help find out…
While Chelsea were forced to cope without Diego Costa for their trip to champions Leicester at the weekend, an unlikely source popped up to ensure the team's goal threat didn't disappear along with their top scorer.
Marcos Alonso scored at the beginning of each half from his position at left wing-back and so nearly bagged a hat-trick, before Pedro rounded off a comfortable 3-0 win for the league leaders.
Given that the victory stretched Chelsea's lead at the top of the table to seven points, reports that Antonio Conte is still keen to strengthen may seem somewhat unnecessary. But in truth, he is lacking depth in the key positions in his favoured system.
Indeed, had Chelsea been without goalscorer Alonso rather than Costa, it would arguably have been more disruptive to their game-plan, with no real back-up in the wing-back positions.
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When you consider that Victor Moses has already had to be converted into the role, their lack of options is understandably a concern and while Cesar Azpilicueta may be able to cover, he doesn't naturally possess the attacking threat that Chelsea rely upon from wide.
It's led the club to being linked with a handful of players that could occupy that role, and WhoScored.com reveal 10 such players with the highest ratings in Europe's top five leagues. The following are the top rated to have featured at least once in that position this season.
Sergio Escudero (Sevilla)
Used in rotation this season for a Sevilla side with ambitions of emulating Atletico Madrid by unsettling the duopoly in La Liga, Escudero has performed admirably when called upon. His form saw him receive a first international call-up at the age of 27 back in November, with his versatility on the left a real asset.
Of 10 league starts this season, Escudero has played on the flank ahead of a back-three on four occasions, earning a rating of 7.26 in those games (just shy of a 7.27 overall rating), including a man-of-the-match award from that role in a notable 1-0 win over Atleti.
Jonas Hector (Cologne)
He may have only started as a left wing-back once this season, with Cologne converting Hector to a central midfielder at club level, but the German is familiar with the role both at club and international level.
Having been deployed as a wing-back on numerous occasions in the past, the 26 year old's one league start in that position heralded an impressive 8.04 rating against Hamburg - up from an average of 7.36 - and he couples a solid defensive understanding with a strong outlet on the attack. If Chelsea are not interested, others surely will be.
Michail Antonio (West Ham)
Having been linked with a switch across the capital to Stamford Bridge last week, Antonio's showing at the weekend certainly would not have deterred any apparent interest, becoming the first West Ham player since Paolo Di Canio in 2000 to register three assists in a single game.
With Bilic looking to replicate Chelsea's approach to a degree this season, opting for a 3-4-2-1 formation more often than any other, Antonio has made nine appearances from a right wing-back role, securing a superb rating of 7.68 - up from an overall score of 7.40 - with two of his eight goals also coming from that position.
Emerson (Roma)
Having played second fiddle to Lucas Digne on loan at the club last season, Emerson has replaced the Barca-bound left-back with aplomb, earning a permanent deal last month. As a result, he won't be available for a transfer any time soon, but will attract interest if he keeps up his current form, showing his versatility in making three of 11 starts as a wing-back.
Like Antonio, his rating from that berth (7.56) is up on his average (7.40), and his attacking threat lends itself to that position having averaged 1.4 key passes and 1.8 successful dribbles per game.
Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
Another player whose ability and energy levels going forwards make him a natural fit for a wing-back berth, Walker continues to go from strength-to-strength under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino. The Spurs boss has looked to broaden his horizons in terms of tactical flexibility this season, fielding a back three on five occasions and winning four of them.
Walker has started all but one of those matches on the right flank, earning an outstanding rating of 7.73 compared to 7.48 for a season in which he has registered more assists than any other defender (five).
Danny Rose (Tottenham)
Joining his team-mate in the top 10, Rose has started all five of Spurs' aforementioned experiments with a back three, playing from the left and offering a similar output to his compatriot on the opposite flank. The Tottenham and England duo are now widely considered the best pairing in their position in the Premier League.
Rose has an identical rating to Walker this season - though his figure drops slightly at wing-back by comparison (7.30) - scoring twice, registering two assists and averaging a team high of three tackles per game in the current campaign.
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
When the Blues signed Alonso on deadline day many were quick to ridicule the club for an apparent panic buy - someone who had once graced the books of Bolton and Sunderland. The Spaniard has since proved to be far from that though, having improved markedly during his time with Fiorentina, and now looks an incredibly astute acquisition.
All 15 of his league starts this season have come at left wing-back and he's been on the losing side just once, with Chelsea winning the other 14 since a switch to a back three. As well as scoring three goals and registering two assists, Alonso has averaged 2.2 tackles per game - one more on average than Moses on the opposite flank - for a rating of 7.51.
Ricardo Pereira (Nice)
Currently in the second season of a two-year loan, Nice would no doubt love to keep hold of Pereira but Porto may have other ideas, especially if they were to receive a big offer in the summer. Last season the versatile Portuguese player replaced the outgoing Jordan Amavi in fine fashion and he has since switched to the right flank under new manager Lucien Favre.
Despite starting in five different positions over the course of the campaign, the 23-year old's performances haven't been effected, though his finest displays have arguably come in seven starts at right wing-back. His rating from that position in the league is a whopping 8.06 - up from an excellent 7.56 - and Pereira will surely be on the radar of some of Europe's elite.
Alex Sandro (Juventus)
In terms of out-and-out wing-backs there are few better on the continent than Alex Sandro right now, and even if Conte did want to raid his former club for one of their prized assets they would likely need to a make a massive offer. The 25-year old has been a revelation since a switch to Turin.
He has earned the highest rating for the Old Lady this season (7.59), making 13 of 17 league starts on the left flank in a back-three formation. His rating in those games is up at 7.71, and with figures such as three assists this season, as well as the share of the lead for Juventus in tackles per game (2.4), he offers the complete package.
Felipe Anderson (Lazio)
Moving to within five points of the top of Serie A with a win over high-flying Atalanta at the weekend, it's been a superb season for Lazio and, in particular, Felipe Anderson. After an underwhelming campaign last time, the Brazilian has been back to his best - producing the sort of performances that attracted attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs in 2015.
He's demonstrated great versatility in playing a variety of roles, making four of his 17 starts as a wing-back for a rating of 7.56. His overall score, however, is up at 7.82 - the highest in Serie A - and he remains far more adept in attacking rather than defensive position, having registered seven assists this term and completed the most dribbles in Italy's top-flight (57).
