One of the most intriguing transformations in football has been the evolution of the modern full-back. Nowadays, they are ever present in the final third of the pitch, surging forward into the penalty area and increasingly ending up on the scoresheet. However, as more and more young starlets flock forward in search of the headlines, do they risk neglecting their essential defensive duties?
In the not too distant past I can recall full-backs essentially playing arm in arm with their centre-back brethren, moving up and down the pitch as one cohesive unit. Over the years however, an increasing number of managers have realised the attacking potential of such players and urged them to push forward. One of the key advantages to adopting this mentality is that full-backs will always have space in front of them, making it easier to be lured up the pitch to offer support.
This transition has been aided by the fact that the 4-4-2 formation is effectively extinct in the Premier League, having been replaced by fluid, intricate set-ups where players are rarely in a fixed position. There are very few traditional, touchline-hugging wingers and so the responsibility to provide the main source of width lies solely with the full-back. The time honoured belief that ‘attack is the best form of the defence’ is perhaps more evident than ever before.
Over the past 12 months, the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City have attempted to give their wide men more freedom by experimenting with the use of wing-backs. The 3-5-2 set-up has had a varying degree of success, largely because it relies heavily on possessing three impenetrable centre-backs that neither side currently has in their ranks. It does however seem logical that full-backs in the Premier League could one day take the shape of James Milner, Dirk Kuyt or Park Ji Sung, as managers look to marry an unrelenting work-rate with a touch of creative flair.
The current batch of promising full-backs need no encouragement to set-up camp in the oppositions half. Tottenham’s Kyle Walker has pace to burn and seems perfectly comfortable spending 90-minute periods performing shuttle runs up and down the right flank. The speed and athleticism of both Walker and Gareth Bale make Spurs an incredibly dangerous counter-attacking side, which strikes fear in the opposition’s full-backs, trapping them in their own half.
In Manchester, Rafael seems eager to embrace the stereotypical nature of the Brazilian full-back. His expertly taken goal against Liverpool highlights the positives of having such a technically gifted player high up the pitch but he is a constant cause for concern in defence, lunging in recklessly to leave his team-mates woefully exposed. Across the city Micah Richards appears to be paying the price for possessing an inferior ability to get forward. His imposing physique is effective when trying to regain possession but he rarely puts it too good use further up the pitch. Richards sadly doesn’t possess the composure or consistency needed to become an effective centre-half and therefore finds himself in a state of limbo, not quite good enough for either role.
In spite of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, the performances of Carl Jenkinson and Kieron Gibbs were incredibly promising. Both players found the perfect balance between their attacking and defensive duties, pushing up only when the Gunners looked comfortable in possession. They also produced a number of well-timed tackles, helping to nullify Chelsea’s world-class wide men. This is perhaps the result of working tirelessly with new assistant manager Steve Bould and should serve as the perfect example for youngsters across the country.
The key then is finding the right blend between defence and attack, providing support at the opportune moment so not to leave your team susceptible to the counter-attack. Many fans will point to Marauone Fellaini or the return of Steve Pienaar as the reason for Everton’s resurgence this year but i think they dominant preceedings on the flanks as a means of forcing teams into the middle of the park. The defensive duo of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman have both benefited from linking up with the tenacious, like-minded individuals that form the Toffee’s midfield and they now find themselves with a strong influence at both ends of the pitch.
Join me on Twitter @theunusedsub where I will always consider Jimmy Bullard to be brilliant both on and off the pitch.
