England’s Right Back Options—Ranked
There was a time in the not-too-distant past where fans were making starting XIs exclusively of England’s possible right backs, such was the abundance of quality options.
Then, in the even more recent past, there was a situation where England faced DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup and the same fans were making jokes that the best English-born right back on the pitch was lining up on the African side.
As a result, it’s hard to know exactly where the Three Lions stand when it comes to the right back situation.
Here’s a breakdown of the best options available to Thomas Tuchel currently.
England’s Right Back Options—Ranked
8. Josh Acheampong
The 20-year-old is not a natural full back and has yet to play for England’s senior side, but he is impressing steadily for Chelsea and will likely get a call-up at some point.
His versatility across the backline stands him in good stead for minutes, with the full back positions likely to be easier to break than center back.
He is a strong one-vs-defender and a big physical presence, which Tuchel tends to value. However, he represents a much more defensive option than some on the list.
7. Ezri Konsa
Again, a far more natural center back, Konsa is happy to go wide if need be.
“It's good being versatile. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but for me ultimately, wherever the manager wants to put me is, I’ll always do a job and do my best,” he said gamely, after his £51 million ($67.5 million) summer move from Aston Villa to Arsenal.
Konsa’s pace and ball-carrying make him a useful option, but after John Stones’s international retirement, his presence in the middle is likely to be far more important to Tuchel unless there is an injury crisis.
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6. Ben White
White’s history with England is an interesting case. The 28-year-old famously left the 2022 World Cup for reasons that have still not been fully made clear publicly. Then-manager Gareth Southgate later revealed that White subsequently took himself out of contention for call-ups.
Tuchel brought White back into the fold in 2026, with the defender facing boos from England fans during a friendly with Uruguay. Any issue about whether to select White for the 2026 World Cup was taken out of Tuchel’s hands by a medial ligament injury.
He is back fit again, starting for the Premier League champions and has a strong understanding with Bukayo Saka.
5. Tino Livramento
Tino Livramento is an intriguing option for England—and for Tuchel—in more ways than one.
Livramento loves to burst forward, overlapping at pace and delivering dangerous crosses into the box—traits that, on paper, make him a strong fit for Tuchel’s preferred style of play. Crucially, he is also no liability defensively, offering a well-rounded presence on the flank.
Second, he is genuinely comfortable on both sides, having alternated between right back and left back duties for Newcastle.
What makes him something of a risk, however, is his own fitness record. The former Chelsea youngster has suffered with a range of issues and missed the World Cup with injury.
4. Jarell Quansah
Quansah’s inclusion in the 2026 World Cup left some underwhelmed having only made one senior appearance prior to the tournament, but the Bayer Leverkusen star is steadily proving his worth as an England international— both as a center back and right back.
His versatility and comfort on the ball are clearly assets Tuchel appreciates, while, at the age of 23, he could be a part of the setup for years to come.
The 6’3 defender’s more attacking qualities have been called into question, but the former Liverpool star answered his critics with a fine assist in England’s 7–0 win over Croatia in October.
3. Djed Spence
Djed Spence has, like several others on this list, been used in a variety of positions but it is worth remembering that his initial breakthrough in the Championship came as a flying right back.
“He brings something that we don’t have—his profile,” Tuchel said on Spence prior to the World Cup. “He loves defending, he is the fastest player in our squad and he loves defending one-vs-ones. That makes him stand out. On top of that, he can play both sides.”
Spence shone in North America and enhanced his reputation as an unexpected hero of England’s team, with his all-action displays earning him a summer transfer to Inter Milan.
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Controversially left out of the World Cup by Tuchel, Alexander-Arnold has since fought his way back into contention and impressed during the September-October international break.
The Real Madrid star offers something genuinely different to all of England’s other options and is a world-class passer and chance creator.
The issue is that he is not a defensively minded as some of his rivals, requiring a slight shift in setup.
Gareth Southgate never found a place for Alexander-Arnold, while Tuchel has largely preferred other options. If the German can find a way to successfully unlock Alexander-Arnold he will have a special weapon to call upon.
1. Reece James
Reece James’s biggest obstacle isn’t an opponent—it’s his own body. Injuries have repeatedly derailed his progress over the years, costing him a place at Euro 2024 and keeping him out for large chunks of Chelsea’s domestic campaigns.
When fit, though, there are few more complete fullbacks in world soccer. James combines raw power with refined technique, making him a constant threat going forward and a nightmare to beat defensively. Add in his danger from set pieces, and you have a defender with the full package.
Tuchel knows exactly how to get the best out of James from their time together at Chelsea, and he will be eager to replicate that at international level with England.
However, with injury problems once again surfacing at the World Cup, there remains a significant risk that his availability—and therefore his impact—could be limited.
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