Top 5 Full Backs EPL season preview - England's full backs top the list?

Teams look to their full backs to stop the opposition's trickiest wingers but also bombard up the wing to support attacks. The best full backs can do both, those who can't defend are often exploited and targeted as a liability whilst those who don't get forward will see their team struggle to put it in the back of the net. Ahead of the 2016/17 season we predict who will be the best full back in the EPL:

#5 Christian Fuchs - Leicester City

Fuchs often went unnoticed in a Leicester team dominated by the likes of Vardy, Mahrez and Kante, the Austrian was far from a liability in the team who kept 15 clean sheets last season. The 30 year old started 30 games in total and was their first choice LB by the end of the season thanks to 4 MOTM performances and 4 assists, most notably a beautifully weighted and inventive through ball to Vardy against Manchester United. Expect Fuchs to start alongside Huth, Morgan and Simpson against Hull on the 13th of August in a campaign where all eyes are on Leicester.

#4 Kyle Walker - Tottenham Hotspur

Walker was ranked 2nd in the England squad rankings in spite of being at fault for Iceland's equaliser. All the same Walker is undoubtedly one of the best offensive full backs in the league, not solely because of his pace but also thanks to his desire and confidence with the ball at hisn feet. Similarly to Bertrand Walker is physically superior to the average full back, his huge size makes him a wrecking ball at times as he bombards past shaking left backs (Neil Taylor for Wales).





#3 Luke Shaw - Manchester United

The former Southampton man started off tremendously well in a Manchester United shirt - until a horrific leg fracture. All the same Shaw has returned to the pitch under Mourinho in friendlies and is sure to be eager to impress despite little competition for the starting left back spot with Bailly set to start in the centre. The 21 year old is not remarkably fast, what make shim such a promising player is in fact his competance on the ball and final delivery, something perhaps Clyne may be missing.

#2 Nathaniel Clyne - Liverpool

Clyne created 7 chances at the Euros (more than any other full back) despite only featuring once. This epitomises Clyne's forward thinking however unlike the Liverpool full back on the opposite flank (Moreno) he shows credibility when defending. The £12 million fee for the now 25 year old seems every penny in a day where class full backs are hard to find, not only in the EPL but the world. With Dani Alves and Philip Lahm reaching end of their careers the spot as the best full back is open for contention, then again a certain Arsenal man may argue his case...

#1 Hector Bellerin - Arsenal

Whilst Kyle Walker is indisputably fast Hector Bellerin is indisputably faster, it would be damn right rude not to include the man who runs 40m faster than Usain Bolt in the shortlist. The 21 year old has not yet established his name in stone in the Spanish set up however he is already one of the first names on Wenger's team sheet alongside Cech, Koscielny, Sanchez and Ozil. The Spaniard has been so impressive that he has drawn interest from Manchester City (none of whom's players make the list) and even Barcelona, a club who Bellerin has strong connections with. It may be essential for Wenger to splash the cash on a striker however keeping such a talented defender is equally important.

Notable Mentions

Ryan Bertrand - Southampton FC
Nacho Monreal - Arsenal
Aaron Cresswell - West Ham United

For similar articles be sure to check out: 

Top 5 EPL Goalkeepers
Top 5 EPL Central Defenders

Top 5 Holding Midfielders
Top 5 Wingers
Top 5 Central Attacking Midfielders
Top 5 Strikers