WhoScored 2020 Rewind: Alexander-Arnold not among best right-backs in Europe

Having revealed the top performing goalkeepers on the continent in 2020, now is the time to step forward into defence. First up are the right-backs.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold always springs to mind straight away when assessing this category but the 22-year-old wasn't as consistent as you may think last year and actually misses out on our top four.

There is one Premier League representative in our quartet, however, and a shock name in first place using our statistical ratings, but who would get your vote?

4) Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund / Inter) - 7.13 rating

Achraf Hakimi's summer move to Inter was billed as one of the most exciting across Europe but it's fair to say he is still feeling his way into life in Inter after dazzling for Borussia Dortmund. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old ended 2020 with 14 goals and assists in 30 league appearances across spells in Germany and Italy. Hakimi has become superb at driving towards the byline before cutting back to find a team-mate. In fact, only one player made more accurate pull-backs than Hakimi on the continent in 2020.

3) Juan Cuadrado (Juventus) - 7.19 rating

Last year saw Juan Cuadrado drop back to right-back on a regular basis and the Colombian quickly established himself as the best player in his position in Serie A. Broadening out to Europe's top 5 leagues and the veteran doesn't fare too badly either. Cuadrado claimed nine goals and assists for Juventus in 2020. Moreover, the 32-year-old averaged 1.5 interceptions per game, 2 tackles per game, while also registering 1.4 key passes per game and 1.3 successful dribbles per game, highlighting his importance at both ends of the pitch.

2) Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) - 7.33 rating

Having barely made an impression during his first six months at the club, Joao Cancelo has really come on strong for Manchester City in 2020. In fact, the 26-year-old created as many clear-cut goalscoring chances as the likes of Premier League forwards Marcus Rashford, Wilfried Zaha, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino in 2020. Moreover, of defenders that started at least 15 times in Europe's top 5 leagues in 2020, only one completed a dribble more frequently than Cancelo (every 34.9 minutes of action), and his versatility has proven a huge asset to Pep Guardiola.

1) Fabien Centonze (Metz) - 7.36 rating

Leading the pack is perhaps someone you have never heard of but it's time to start taking notice of Metz's Fabien Centonze. The 24-year-old enjoyed an incredible year for the French outfit, remarkably his first full calendar year in one of Europe's top five leagues. Of players that made at least 10 appearances in Europe's top five leagues in 2020, Centonze averaged the most tackles and interceptions combined per game (6.2). His reading of the game this season in particular has been sensational, making 22 more interceptions than any other player, whilst he carries the ball well too, ranking among the top 20 in Ligue 1 last year for dribbles (37).