The modern game of football is played on the flanks, and in Football Manager 26, this has been amplified by the addition of sophisticated new tactical roles. Everyone wants a player who can assist you in defense and contribute to the attack. The most successful tactics in contemporary football pivot on creating overloads, and the secret weapon is often the rampaging full-back.
Forget the days of full-backs being defensive; this is the modern day, and full-backs have adapted to new roles that allow them to run the flanks and swing in crosses for the attacking players in the box. Here are the five best fullbacks in Football Manager 26
Jeremie Frimpong
The Liverpool star, currently aged 24, proved his worth when he was at Bayer Leverkusen. His amazing performances in the Bundesliga are what earned him his move to the Premier League. Going invincible in the league is not easy, and being a vital part of that is not either, but Frimpong did just that. He’s a joy to watch these days as he runs the right flank with ease.
He excels in any defensive position you put him in, whether that’s a right back, a wingback, or even as a midfielder. As a fullback, he stands out compared to other defenders thanks to his amazing pace and footwork. Frimpong is a constant threat down the right wing and a goal and assist machine.
Trent Alexander- Arnold
The 27-year-old Madridista has been a class player ever since he made his debut. He began by stunning his fans from Merseyside and eventually earned a transfer to Real Madrid. The fullback, dominating the right flank, has made a name for himself through his beautiful passing skills. What he lacks in the defensive department, he makes up for with his exceptional crossing vision.
Trent is such an elite passer that he has been started in the midfield, too. He could fit perfectly into your FM26 save and make you a threat to the opponent. Not only can he whip in crosses from the wings, but he also specialises in free-kicks and even takes long-range shots that seem to confuse the goalkeeper.
Alphonso Davies
Davies is just 24 years of age, playing for Bayern Munich, and has been doing so for a couple of years now. Dominating the left flank with his exceptional pace, he has made a name for himself after going up against some of the top wingers in the world and beating them one-on-one. Although he has been brought down by injuries recently, it doesn’t mean he isn’t still a class player.
Davies is crucial in attack for Bayern Munich, as he played a vital role in their game against Real Madrid a few seasons ago in the UCL, banging in his first-ever UCL goal in a crucial game. His incredible dribbling ability allowed him to run the left flank and score the goal. So if you need a player who makes strong attacking runs from the left flank, then go for Alphonso Davies.
Federico Dimarco
The 27-year-old left back is an engine for Inter Milan (Lombardia FC). Having plenty of years of experience under his belt, you can never go wrong with an experienced player on your side. Dimarco brings more than just experience to the table, though, as he delivers brilliant passes and long balls with his left foot. It does not stop there, though, as he is an amazing set piece taker as well.
Not only can he be trusted with dominating the left flank, but he can also be trusted with scoring goals when needed. An absolute tank in the defense, Dimarco is a threat to anyone who goes up against him with his aggression. A player like him could do wonders for your team in FM26. Fitting right into the starting eleven and providing high attacking impact, along with his strong defensive solidity.
Achraf Hakimi
Hakimi is a 26-year-old right back who plays for the French club, Paris Saint-Germain. Having won the sextuple just last season with PSG, Hakimi played an important role in guarding that right wing. Whether it was attacking through it or stopping possible goal-leading attacks. His blistering pace and relentless energy aided him in doing that. The Moroccan has been a threat for a while now and has been on the radar of every major club in Europe.
Impressing fans with his excellent goal-scoring and assist record, he is a player you do not want to give too much space to. If you do, then he is going to deliver a deadly cross or take you on and dribble into the box and take a shot at the goal. While he mainly plays as a right back for PSG, his most effective position is the right wing-back position. It extracts the most out of him, and you can do the same with him in FM26 as well.
