Comparing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 2019-20 stats to Reece James and AWB

England have been blessed with a wide range of options at right-back – but who is the most well-rounded defender?

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has developed into one of the best full-backs in the world but Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Chelsea’s Reece James have also impressed this season.

We’ve compared Alexander-Arnold’s stats from the 2019-20 Premier League season to date and compared them to Wan-Bissaka and James to see who comes out on top.

Defensive actions

Defending is the one area of Alexander-Arnold’s game that has come under some scrutiny this season.

Liverpool have been dominated most Premier League games in 2019-20 so Alexander-Arnold averages 1.6 successful tackles per 90 minutes and has a success rate of 53.3%.

James is called into action more regularly with 1.9 successful tackles per 90 minutes, and he also has a better success rate (65.5%).

However, Wan-Bissaka is miles ahead in this department as the United defender averages an incredible 3.8 successful tackles per 90 with an 82.6% success rate.

In terms of interceptions, Wan-Bissaka leads the way once again with 2.0 per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.

That is followed by the Chelsea and Liverpool defenders who have both made 1.3 interceptions per 90 in the league so far.

🕸️ Crunching tackles, crucial interceptions and key assists 💫

👏 @AWBissaka 👏 pic.twitter.com/e6haNRsQco

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 1, 2020

Passing and attacking

Full-backs used to be judged first and foremost on their defending, but in the modern game they have to place far more emphasis on their attacking play.

James’ pass completion rate of 87.0% is a lot better than those of Wan-Bissaka (79.9%) and Alexander-Arnold (75.8%).

Jurgen Klopp’ Liverpool team attack down the wide areas and Alexander-Arnold makes an incredible 7.5 crosses per 90 minutes in the league, not including corners.

James is another right-back that likes to get forward and support the attackers and that is shown by his 5.8 crosses per 90 minutes.

But Wan-Bissaka’s attacking game still leaves a lot to be desired and the 22-year-old is averaging just 2.86 crosses per 90 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, Alexander-Arnold also comes out on top for chances created (2.6 per 90 minutes) ahead of James (1.3) and Wan-Bissaka (0.7).

However, James is the best dribbler out of the three right-backs, completing 2.3 per 90 minutes with a a success rate of 79.3%.

Wan-Bissaka is in second place with 1.7 successful dribbles per 90 at a completion rate of 68.0% but Alexander-Arnold finds himself at the bottom of the pile. (0.6 at 37.4%).

Goals and assists

Providing a goal threat is always a useful bonus for a right-back and Alexander-Arnold has two goals and 12 assists in the league, averaging one or the other every 182.1 minutes.

James and Wan-Bissaka are yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League, although James has scored for Chelsea in the Champions League and the League Cup earlier this season.

Wan-Bissaka has been an ever-present in the United team so far this season and has provided two league assists, equating to a direct goal contribution every 1180.5 minutes.

James also has two assists, but he has managed them at a rate of one every 534 minutes.

Need an assist? Call Trent Alexander-Arnold. 😍🔥pic.twitter.com/orliybZpJG

— Football HQ (@FootbaII_HQ) April 4, 2020

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