{"id":1499555,"date":"2026-10-02T18:19:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T17:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1499555"},"modified":"2026-10-02T18:20:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T17:20:55","slug":"tactical-explainer-what-is-a-wing-back","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-explainer-what-is-a-wing-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Tactical Explainer: What is a Wing-Back and which players currently play this role?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Full-backs were once considered the least important players on a football pitch. Nowadays, they can be the difference between a win and a loss, especially for teams utilising them as wing-backs further forward.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the name suggests, wing-backs are a hybrid of a full-back and a winger. They are reserved for systems with three centre-backs, which gives them extra licence to get forward, and they are an essential part of the modern game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below we pinpoint precisely what makes a wing-back, specifically a good one, and who the best modern examples are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-is-a-wing-back\" data-level=\"2\">What is a wing-back?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-which-modern-players-play-the-role\" data-level=\"2\">Which modern players play the role?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-wing-back\">What is a wing-back?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, a wing-back is a wide player who transitions between helping the defence and providing an important outlet in attack. However, there is a lot more to the role than just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Helenio Herrera\u2019s iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/inter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inter Milan<\/a> side of the 1960s were the first team to properly utilise wing-backs. Giacinto Facchetti and Tarcisio Burgnich were key parts of the defensive catenaccio system while also providing a threat going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was very much a 5-3-2 system, so the emphasis was on the defensive side of the role. Wing-backs were given much more freedom with the emergence of the 3-5-2 in the late 20th century, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The primary role of a wing-back then became to provide width. Full-backs at the time tended to defend narrowly and overlap on occasion, but wing-backs in a 3-5-2 would stay wide and look to deliver crosses to the forwards in the absence of a natural winger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A manager has a huge say in a wing-back\u2019s defensive responsibilities. Someone like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/antonio-conte\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Antonio Conte<\/a>, perhaps the role\u2019s most famous advocate, will expect his wide men to work hard and create a back five when necessary. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/xabi-alonso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Xabi Alonso<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/ruben-amorim\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ruben Amorim<\/a>, by contrast, are more willing to use natural wingers as wing-backs, putting more emphasis on pace and pressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conte is also an advocate for a goalscoring wing-back. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/marcos-alonso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marcos Alonso<\/a> was a master at arriving at the back post in the nick of time during his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/chelsea\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chelsea<\/a> spell under the Italian, who clearly valued his height and aerial ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unsurprisingly, given the demanding nature of the position, one of the key attributes for a wing-back is stamina. Crossing ability and defensive awareness are handy skills to have, but getting up and down the flank is the main thing a wing-back must be able to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-which-modern-players-play-the-role\">Which modern players play the role?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was a 3-4-2-1 boom after Conte\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Premier League<\/a> title win with Chelsea and, while many managers, including the man himself, have opted to return to four-defender formations, the likes of Xabi Alonso and Amorim have stuck by their principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/jeremie-frimpong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jeremie Frimpong<\/a> and Alex Grimaldo notched a combined 39 goal involvements when Alonso led <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/bayer-leverkusen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bayer Leverkusen<\/a> to an unbeaten <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/bundesliga\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bundesliga<\/a> title in 2023\/24, making them the most effective wing-back pairing in recent times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to that, a trend of wingers being converted to wing-backs emerged. Players like Victor Moses and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/ashley-young\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ashley Young<\/a> were not the dangerous attackers they once were, and Conte knew that, converting them into two of the best wing-backs in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Right now, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/federico-dimarco\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Federico Dimarco<\/a> is arguably the most effective wing-back in Europe, bringing the position full circle as it was one which came to prominence during Herrera\u2019s spell with Inter.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                    <h2 class=\"sq-heading-line\">Latest Features<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-france-vs-italy-02-10-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/02220844\/3FNBEGC-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Zinedine Zidane looks on during France&#039;s UEFA Nations League meeting with Italy\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-france-vs-italy-02-10-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs Italy stats and analysis: Azzurri deny Zinedine Zidane a winning home debut as Les Bleus boss                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-explainer-what-is-a-wing-back\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/02180641\/wingback02102026-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Squawka tactical explainer graphic asking what is a wing-back and which players currently play this role\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-explainer-what-is-a-wing-back\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Tactical Explainer: What is a Wing-Back and which players currently play this role? 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       <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Full-backs were once considered the least important players on a football pitch. Nowadays, they can be the difference between a win and a loss, especially for teams utilising them as wing-backs further forward. As the name suggests, wing-backs are a hybrid of a full-back and a winger. They are reserved for systems with three centre-backs,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":370,"featured_media":1499554,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"what is a wing-back?","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"What is a wing-back? Get the Squawka tactical explainer on how the role evolved from catenaccio to Conte, what it demands and who plays it best today.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27680],"class_list":["post-1499555","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-tactical-explainers"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tactical Explainer: What is a Wing-Back and which players currently play this role? | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is a wing-back? 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