Improve your full backs and make your team a double threat on the flanks with overlapping runs and crosses
The 21st century elite full-back is not just strong in defence, but boasts the ability to break forward at lightning speed to join the attack.
And with three-player defences becoming more and more prevalent, having full-backs with the attributes to play as attack-minded wing-backs can really give a head coach a wealth of options.
Chelsea, for example, have used England defenders Reece James and Ben Chilwell in both roles this season.
But even when teams are wedded to four at the back, they still need their full-backs to get forward, especially if playing a winger-less 4-3-3.
Such is their narrow spine, Liverpool need Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to provide width - and between them, they have created 30 goals for the club since the start of last season.
Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier is, at time of writing this week, second only to Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne in the entire Premier League for key passes made per 90 minutes.
In Spain, 19-year-old Alejandro Balde has effectively been given control of Barcelona’s entire left flank.
As a result, no other teenager in Europe’s ’big five’ leagues has more assists this season - including creating the injury-time winner for Franck Kessie in last weekend’s El Clasico with Real Madrid.
"Full-backs should be adept at linking up with the attack to send in a byline cross..."
Balde - who is in the Spain squad for the current international break - also ranks in the top 10% in Europe’s big leagues for completed passes, pass accuracy, successful take-ons and distance carried.
All of that indicates a player very happy taking the attack to the opposition - vital to a possession-dominant side like Barcelona.
Full-backs should be adept at linking up with the attack to send in a byline cross and at making decoy runs to take the opposing defender out of the game.
This requires full-backs having a good understanding of the players around them, and vice-versa - the centre-backs and holding midfielder need to be ready to cover, while any wingers need to be aware of when they are going to be overlapped.
It is a role that requires 100 per cent concentration because the very nature of the attacking full-back means a player will be active at both ends of the pitch.
Having the pace and stamina to make recovery runs is beneficial and it is important not to get pinned back by your opposite number.
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