England’s Best Right Back: TAA vs Wan Bissaka

In the world of continental European football, nearly every player has a defined position. Not so much in the English Premier League, where being versatile is a significant asset. England has an abundance of top-tier right-backs, with Dominic Tettey-Asante-Abraham (TAA) and Aaron Wan Bissaka often touted as the top contenders. However, the debate continues: who is the best right back?

TAA vs Wan Bissaka: Defensive Versatility

For me, Wan Bissaka is much better and continues to improve as time goes on. However, in the modern era, it's TAA who stands out as the best fullback in the world. Defensively, TAA might not be as robust as Wan Bissaka, but his offensive contributions cannot be undermined. TAA's positioning while defending is still poor and shows limited improvement, suggesting that while he performs admirably in the final third, he remains a weak link in the defense.

England’s Defensive Strategy with Three Central Backs

England often plays with three center-backs, a formation that has its unique challenges. During the last time I watched the team, Walker was positioned as a right-sided center-back, while Trippier functioned as a wing-back, a position that requires both defensive solidity and a flair for attacks. The flexibility of TAA and Wan Bissaka means that England can technically play both players in these roles, but their suitability depends on the circumstances.

Why TAA Is the Better Choice for Modern Football

TAA, coming in at 21 years old and the world’s best fullback, is simply unparalleled when he doesn’t need to worry about defensive responsibilities. He’s the best in the world at 21, showing remarkable promise. While Wan Bissaka is a master of the tackle, he tends to commit to flamboyant, accurate hits more frequently than necessary. In fact, he makes more tackles than fullbacks, and only a few defensive midfielders like Gueye and Ndidi tally more.

Offensive Contributions and Defensive Responsibilities

Both TAA and Wan Bissaka have unique strengths. TAA’s strong suit is his accuracy and off-the-ball vision, allowing him to excel at taking set pieces and providing width on the right wing. Occasionally, TAA’s inexperience does put his team at risk of counter-attacks, but his offensive contributions are notably higher. Conversely, Wan Bissaka thrives in 1v1 situations and has impeccable game sense, but his tackling prowess is his calling card. TAA, however, wins the battle in the final third, making him the superior choice for a modern wing-back who thrives in an attacking setup.

3–4–3 Formation and Wing-Back Positivity

When England plays a 3–4–3 formation, the full backs often have more latitude to be involved in attacks, providing width and support to the midfield. TAA excels in this role, thanks to his natural attacking instincts and the presence of a reliable center-back like Harry Maguire. In scenarios where England don’t have a complete back squad, the bench-strength players like Wan Bissaka can still offer defensive support. TAA, however, is better suited to this role as his positional awareness and ability to carry in attacks make him an ideal choice for a modern team that values versatility.

Conclusion

In recent years, England has adapted well to the rising trend of converting midfielders to full-backs, a strategy that has paid off for Wan Bissaka. However, for the right-back position, TAA’s natural skills as a full-back and his ability to support the team in the final third make him a standout. Whether TAA or Wan Bissaka comes out on top, both players bring immense value to England's defense and attack, making them indispensable assets to the team.