Football Manager 2022: Best Right Backs (DR & WBR) to Sign

Over the years, we have seen the fullback role evolve from just being a part of the defensive unit to being a core contributor at the opposite end of the pitch. Below, we will walk you through the finest modern and orthodox right backs available on FM 22 based on their current abilities in the game.

Choosing the best right backs (DR & WBR) on FM 22

We have handpicked the very best right backs available on FM 22, with Kyle Walker, Achraf Hakimi, and Danilo being among the top in FM 22.

The players listed have been selected and ranked based on their current abilities, with the minimum being 145, and all have a positional rating of at least 20 in the game.

At the foot of the article, you’ll find a full list of all of the best right backs (DR & WBR) in FM 22.

1. Achraf Hakimi (160 CA / 173 PA)

Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Age: 22
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 160 CA / 173 PA
Wage: £170,000 p/w
Value: £152 million – £196 million
Best Positions: DR, WBR
Best Attributes: 20 Pace, 18 Acceleration, 18 Off the Ball

Hakimi boasts a current ability of 160, and with the bulk of his career still ahead, he could peak at an impressive 173 potential ability and this earns him a place at the summit of the best-rated right defenders on FM 22.

If you need an extra body to join the attack on the counter, provide width and create clear-cut changes, then Achraf Hakimi is your man, and his attacking brilliance is owing to his 20 pace, 18 acceleration, and 14 work rate. While he struggles to match that show of class in defense, his 15 crossing, 14 passing, and 13 vision makes him a valuable asset when going forward.

Having come up from Real Madrid’s academy, Hakimi enjoyed a successful loan spell with Borussia Dortmund, and after moving to Inter Milan, where he played a crucial role in ending their decade-long wait for the Scudetto, he completed a staggering £51 million move to French heavyweight Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old, who has five goals under his belt on the international stage, featured for the Morocco youth set-up at Under-20 and Under-23 level before earning his senior debut in October 2016.

2. João Cancelo (158 CA / 165 PA)

Team: Manchester City
Age: 27
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 158 CA / 165 PA
Wage: £140,000 p/w
Value: £68 million – £83 million
Best Positions: DR, WBR
Best Attributes: 17 Technique, 16 Dribbling, 16 Pace

One of the most versatile defenders around, João Cancelo can effectively slot in both flanks of the defense, and with a current ability of 158, which could rise to 165, he earns a place on the list of best right backs on FM 22.

While Cancelo might not be one of the sturdiest defenders around, he makes up for it brilliantly when joining the attack and this is built on his 16 pace, 14 vision, and 14 crossing. Almost like a winger, the Portuguese is adept with the ball at his feet as he easily takes on and beats his marker and this is thank by his 17 flair, 16 dribbling, and 17 technique.

After several loan stints with Valencia and Inter Milan, Cancelo completed a permanent move away from Benfica, signing for Italian giants Juventus, before moving to Manchester City in a swap deal that saw Brazilian fullback Danilo head the other way. The 27-year-old, who featured for the Portuguese national team at every youth level, was handed his first senior appearance in September 2016, and has 31 caps and five goals to his name.

3. Kyle Walker (156 CA / 157 PA)

Team: Manchester City
Age: 31
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 156 CA / 157 PA
Wage: £150,000 p/w
Value: £41 million – £49 million
Best Positions: DR, WBR
Best Attributes: 18 Acceleration, 18 Pace, 16 Work Rate

One of the most well-rounded options at right back, Kyle Walker has proven to be solid at both ends of the pitch over the years and despite nearing his potential ability of 157, his 156 current ability earns him a place in the list of top-rated right backs.

Walker is blessed with lightning speed which allows him to force his way into opposition territory and this is down to his 18 pace, 18 acceleration, and 16 work rate. His 13 tackling, 12 marking, and 16 stamina means that he is also reliable in his defensive duties and will stand his ground whenever called to action.

Having garnered experience during loan spells with the likes of Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers, the former Sheffield United fullback moved from Tottenham to Manchester City, where he has been an integral member of the team and won a platform of titles. The Englishman made his first appearance for the England national team in November 2011 and has a total of 65 senior caps to his name.

4. Jesùs Navas (153 CA / 161 PA)

Team: Sevilla
Age: 35
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 153 CA / 161 PA
Wage: £74,000 p/w
Value: £47 million
Best Positions: DR, WBR
Best Attributes: 18 Work rate, 16 Pace, 16 Stamina

Though he is turning 36 on November 21, Jesùs Navas still ranks high on the list of left backs on FM 22 thanks to his current ability of 153, and despite age not being on his side, his ability could rise to a potential 161 in his final playing days.

The ultimate short-term fix at right back, Navas possesses great speed and work rate for his age thanks to his 16 pace, 16 acceleration, and 18 work rate, and this allows him to easily breeze and slalom past any opposition. While his low tackling and marking abilities means he will occasionally struggle to impose himself defensively, his 14 crossing, 14 dribbling, and 15 team work makes him a valuable asset in the final third.

One of Sevilla’s prized jewels, Navas spent the first 13 years of his career with the Spanish side and after a four-year stint in the Premier League with Manchester City, he returned to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, where he has been vital in their recent European success. The veteran defender, who featured for the Spanish side at Under-21 level, has made 46 appearances for the senior squad since making his debut in November 2019.

5. Danilo (152 CA / 156 PA)

Team: Zebre (Juventus)
Age: 30
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 152 CA / 156 PA
Wage: £100,000 p/w
Value: £23 million – £29 million
Best Positions: DR, WBR
Best Attributes: 16 Team work, 16 Determination, 15 Passing

Danilo has enjoyed a fine career at the very top of European football and his current ability of 152, which could rise to a potential 156, makes him a defensive top pick.

One of the more orthodox right backs on the list, Danilo’s versatility makes him a valuable asset to any defensive unit and his ability to play on either flank is underpinned by his 16 team work, 15 stamina, and 15 anticipation. His 12 marking and 14 tackling means he can still stand his ground when isolated by the opposition, while he will not hesitate to launch a through ball on the counter or thread a defense-splitting pass thanks to his 15 vision and 15 passing.

Having come up from the America Mineiro youth side, Danilo would make it to the very top, featuring for several European giants, including Porto, Real Madrid and Manchester City, before completing a swap move to Juventus in 2019. The 30-year-old made his senior debut for the Brazilian national team in September 2011 and boasts 44 caps and one goal under his belt.

6. Reece James (151 CA / 168 PA)

Team: Chelsea
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 151 CA / 168 PA
Wage: £97,000
Value: £76 million – £93 million
Best Positions: DR, WBR
Best Attributes: 18 Strength, 16 Crossing, 17 Determination

A typical modern day fullback, Reece James should be a long-term target for all on FM 22 as he boasts a current ability of 151, which could rise up to an impressive 168 under proper guidance and management.

Despite being one of the youngest players on the list, James is undoubtedly one of the most talented, and his ability to spot and locate his teammates in the box with pin-point crosses is the most eye-catching amongst his vast abilities thanks to his 16 crossing, 14 team work, and 13 technique. Defensively, he is one of the toughest to go up one-versus-one against and this is owing to his 18 strength, 13 tacking, and 13 marking.

After rising through the ranks at Chelsea’s academy, James completed a loan move to Wigan Athletic, where he burst onto the scene before returning to Stamford Bridge to cement his place in the squad. After playing for the youth team at Under-18 to Under-21 level, the youngster made his senior England debut in the 3-0 victory over Wales back in October 2020 and has added nine further caps since then.

7. Ricardo Pereira (151 CA / 165 PA)

Team: Leicester City
Age: 27
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 151 CA / 165 PA
Wage: £70,000 p/w
Value: £39 million – £45 million
Best Positions: DR, WBR
Best Attributes: 16 Tackling, 16 Work Rate, 16 Acceleration

A swift and defensively solid option at right back, Ricardo Pereira is a top pick thanks to his 151 current ability, which could rise to a potential 165.

Pereira boasts 16 tackling, 16 work rate, and 15 team work, and unlike most of the players listed above, he is a more defensive option at right back. The Portuguese international can also fill in on the right wing thanks to his 16 acceleration, 14 crossing, and 15 dribbling.

Pereira caught the eye across Europe with a string of impressive performances in the Portuguese Primeira Liga with Porto before completing a move to Leicester City in 2018, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal. The versatile fullback, who has been in and out of the squad through injuries, has made seven appearances for the Portuguese national team since earning his senior debut back in 2015.

All of the best right backs (DR & WBR) on FM 22

​Listed in the table below are the best right backs (DR & WBR) available in FM 22, sorted by their current abilities.

Over the years, the fullback role has evolved from solely being a defensive unit to a core part of the attack, and if you need a right back who can expertly join the attack and fulfil his defensive duties, the players listed above are your best bet.

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