The right-back revolution: How did such an unfashionable position become key for England's Euro 2020 squad?

Euro 2020
(Image credit: Getty)

Right-back was once perhaps the most unfashionable position on the pitch – reserved for those who were too slow to be a winger, too small to be a centre-back and too technically limited to be a central midfielder. It was where solid, if resolutely unremarkable, players found a home. But that well-established stereotype feels less relevant than ever before, especially as England prepare for Euro 2020. 

Recent years have seen a decisive shift in the perception of full-backs and their importance. They often have plenty of time and space on the ball and it’s vital to make that advantage count. They’re charged with initiating attacks, breaking forward at pace and delivering crosses into the box with consistent quality. In most teams, it’s no longer enough to hold your position and clip the ball hopefully down the line.

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Sean Cole
Writer

Sean Cole is a freelance journalist. He has written for FourFourTwo, BBC Sport and When Saturday Comes among others. A Birmingham City supporter and staunch Nikola Zigic advocate, he once scored a hat-trick at St. Andrew’s (in a half-time game). He also has far too many football shirts and spends far too much time reading the Wikipedia pages of obscure players.