Premier League Right-back of the Season: Antonio Valencia

Valiant Valencia

There are not too many remaining members of Sir Alex Ferguson’s final title-winning squad that continue to perform at a high level, but Antonio Valencia is one of them.

The modern game has drifted away from classic wingers and so the ex-Wigan man has had to evolve his game over the last few years. The most regular right-sided midfielder for the Red Devils’ is Juan Mata and while he is creative, he does not provide pace and width. There is therefore a reliance on Valencia to act effectively as a wing-back, a role for which he has the athleticism required. He has made more dribbles per game (1.4) than any full-back bar two and has put in the Premier League’s joint-fifth highest number of crosses, including players in any position.

While official wing-backs have the insurance of three centre-backs behind them, Valencia is an acting wing-back and only has two. He is given a lot of defensive work, from which he has not shied away, making the 11th highest number of tackles per game (2.3) for a top flight full-back. The Ecuadorian has been part of a stubborn Manchester United defence that has conceded just 23 goals in 27 league games, two more than the teams with the best defensive record.

Although the wrong side of 30, Valencia remains one of the most dynamic, athletic players in England.