Player Focus: The Top 5 Full-Backs in La Liga

A full-back is one of the most vital components of any team, as he can provide stability and intelligence in defence but also support from an attacking point of view. The best these days can balance both, and La Liga has several who are adept in doing so. The position is even more important in some cases for teams who rely upon a strong presence defensively from their full backs, offering height and strength. Meanwhile, from an attacking point of view many teams play without natural wingers, so the full-back becomes even more crucial.

In turn, WhoScored.com highlight the top 5 full-backs in La Liga based on our unique player rating system.

Carlos Martínez (Real Sociedad) - WhoScored rating: 7.53

Based on WhoScored.com rankings, Martínez is the best rated full-back in La Liga. The Real Sociedad man is a throwback player, well built and physically imposing, who does the basics well when it comes to covering, tackling and crossing. Although it may sound simple, few are able to balance their full-back game quite so adeptly.

He’s made the third most tackles for his side per game, with 3, while making the most interceptions, with 3.3 on average. His 4.1 clearances per game, meanwhile, are again the third most on the team, showing his qualities when it comes to clearing his lines without fuss.

In an attacking sense he offers quality too, with 1.1 key passes per game only behind the likes of Carlos Vela and Xabi Prieto. Also, from a crossing perspective, something he’s improved immeasurably on, he’s averaging 1.4 accurate deliveries per game. When it comes to putting out a La Liga Best XI, Martínez will be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Damiá (Osasuna) - WhoScored rating: 7.28

Perhaps the most unknown name on this list, Damiá remains a key component to how Osasuna function. His 2.8 tackles per game ranks third for the club of regular starters, while his 3 interceptions per game is actually the best record in the team and his 5.8 clearances are only bettered by the club’s centre-backs.

He’s tough, uncompromising and maintains his position well, allowing few to slip by him having been dribbled past just 0.7 times per game on average. Meanwhile, from an aerial point of view, he’s won the most duels compared to any other player in this leaderboard, and with 3.5 per game is the 7th best in La Liga overall. He might lack the attacking fluidity of the others here but Damiá does bring defensive acumen, and a team like Osasuna, who have conceded just 11.8 shots per game, rely upon him heavily.

Filipe Luís (Atlético Madrid) - WhoScored rating: 7.21

He might often be criticised for his defensive approach, but the statistics show Filipe Luís is doing his bit. His 3.2 tackles per game are second only to the extremely combative Gabi for Atletico, while his 2.4 interceptions per game is the best average on the team out of all the regular players. His clearances stand at just 2.4 per game, however, and in future he’ll need to be more aware in clearing his lines rather than playing his way out of trouble.

Few can get it around him though, and having been dribbled past just 0.5 times per game his combination of speed and coverage is extremely useful. Offensively, meanwhile, he’s completing 1.1 dribbles per game, which is second only to a creative midfielder in the shape of Arda Turan. With Diego Simeone playing without natural width in attack, it’s essential the Brazilian full-back supports, and he does so regularly.

Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona) - WhoScored rating:  7.13

Jordi Alba’s explosion onto the scene has been alarming over the last couple of years, and at Barcelona he’s taken on the responsibility of being number one left-back superbly. Without Eric Abidal, there has been plenty of pressure on Alba to perform, and at only 24, the former Valencia man is going from strength to strength. Alba’s showed his defensive qualities with 2 tackles per game, while his 3.4 interceptions per game is the most for the champions, with his speed again a major attribute. 

He will need to be more aware and intelligent in some areas though, including bringing his 1.2 fouls per game average down. In attack though, he’s scored twice and weighed in with 5 assists, continuing at Barça what made him famous at Valencia - his rampaging forward runs.

Nacho (Betis) - WhoScored rating: 7.07

Like Damiá at Osasuna, Nacho is one of the more obscure names on this list. Again though, this doesn’t detract from his efforts this season. He’s provided 6 assists for a start - the most out of any full-back in La Liga this season - while his 0.9 key passes per game rank among the top 5 players at Betis.

His 39.1 passes per game also come in as the third most on the team, behind two central midfielders, showing Nacho can play his way out trouble and associate with the attacking phase of play. Defensively, meanwhile, he’s no slouch, offering 3.5 tackles per game, which is another team high. In addition, his average of 2.4 interceptions per game isn’t a bad figure either, combining that with 3.7 clearances per match.