As the EPL 2025–26 season approaches Gameweek 8, the debate over who deserves the title of the best right-back in the Premier League has intensified.

Since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid at the end of the 2024–25 campaign, another generation of full-backs has stepped up to claim that crown.

Among them, Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber has been outstanding — so much so that the Gunners are reportedly preparing to offer him an extended contract as a reward for his exceptional form.

To find out if Timber truly is the Premier League’s best right-back, we examined detailed performance data comparing him to Chelsea’s Reece James, Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, and Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier.

Here is how they rank:

1. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)

2. Reece James (Chelsea)

3. Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

4. Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)

The numbers tell a clear story. While each full-back shines in different aspects of play, Jurrien Timber emerges as the most complete performer.

• He’s scored more goals (2) than any other right-back in the EPL this season.
• He’s defensively superior to Porro and Trippier, winning more tackles and clearances.
• He boasts a pass completion rate of 85.7%, showing precision and composure in buildup play.

Pedro Porro leads in creativity, ball progression, and carrying distance, while Reece James excels in interceptions, long ball accuracy (%), and aerial duels.

Yet, Timber’s two-way consistency — his ability to dominate in attack, defense, and possession — makes him the most balanced and effective right-back in the Premier League 2025–26.

Here are their numbers:

Goals Scored

While right-backs are not typically judged by their goal tallies, those who can consistently contribute in front of goal offer their teams a valuable edge.

Goals remain the ultimate currency in football — and when a defender adds that extra layer of threat, it often separates the good from the elite.

So, who has been the most effective in front of goal this season across all competitions?

Player	Club	Goals (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	0
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	2
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	0
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	0

As things stand, Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber leads the scoring charts among Premier League right-backs, with two goals in the 2025–26 season.

His ability to combine solid defending with goal output is the main reason why he’s currently viewed as the best right-back in the Premier League.

Assists

After scoring, a right-back’s second most important quality is how effectively he contributes to creating goals.

The football world still echoes with the impact Trent Alexander-Arnold made in redefining what it means to be a modern right-back.

His brilliance transformed the role from a purely defensive position into one of creativity and vision.

With 64 assists — the most by any defender in Premier League history — and 82 goal involvements overall, Alexander-Arnold set a new benchmark for full-backs, trailing only Leighton Baines in total goal contributions from defense.

So how do the Premier League’s best right-backs compare in the 2025–26 season so far?

Player	Club	Assists (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	1
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	1
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	1
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	0

All four defenders have shown attacking intent, but only Kieran Trippier is yet to record an assist this season.

Notably, Reece James’ assist came during Chelsea’s 2–1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Gameweek 5 — a reminder of his continued creativity despite the team’s struggles.

For Jurrien Timber, matching the assist numbers of James and Porro while maintaining Arsenal’s defensive structure further strengthens his case as the most complete right-back in the Premier League.

Shots on Target

Shots on target reveal how often a right-back ventures close enough to trouble the keeper — a useful proxy for attacking intent and positioning. So who is getting on target this season?

Player	Club	Shots on Target (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	3
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	5
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	0
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	0

Jurrien Timber leads the group with five shots on target, underlining his willingness to get into dangerous areas and threaten the opposition goal.

Reece James has also shown restraint and precision — three of his five attempts have been on target, suggesting he picks his moments wisely.

Pedro Porro has been active in shooting (five attempts) but hasn’t found the target yet, while Kieran Trippier is yet to register a single attempt this season.

Taken together, these numbers reinforce Timber’s dual threat: not only is he solid defensively, he’s the most willing and effective of the four to test goalkeepers — a key reason he’s staking a claim as the best right-back in the Premier League 2025–26.

Shot-Creating Actions

Shot-creating actions measure how often a player contributes to attacking sequences that end in a shot — through passes, dribbles, or fouls drawn. It’s one of the best indicators of how involved a right-back is in his team’s offensive play.

Player	Club	Shot-Creating Actions (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	15
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	21
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	21
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	24

In the 2025–26 Premier League and Champions League, Kieran Trippier leads all right-backs with 24 shot-creating actions, showing his continued attacking influence from deep. Pedro Porro and Jurrien Timber follow closely with 21 each, while Reece James trails the group with 15.

These numbers reveal that while Timber and Porro are strong contributors in advanced areas, Trippier’s creativity and vision still make him one of the most proactive right-backs in England’s top flight.

Goal-Creating Actions

Goal-creating actions measure the two offensive contributions that directly lead to a goal — including passes, take-ons, or fouls drawn. They highlight not just creativity, but the quality and timing of a player’s involvement in decisive attacking moves.

Player	Club	Goal-Creating Actions (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	3
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	3
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	1
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	0

In the 2025–26 season, both Reece James and Jurrien Timber lead the group with three goal-creating actions each, showing their ability to make meaningful attacking contributions from full-back positions.

Pedro Porro follows with one, while Kieran Trippier is yet to record any this season.

For James, this statistic is particularly interesting — despite having fewer shot-creating actions than his rivals, his contributions have directly resulted in goals. That reflects efficiency over volume, suggesting he knows when and how to play the key pass rather than overloading the attack with ineffective deliveries.

Timber, meanwhile, matches that output but does so within Arsenal’s fluid buildup structure — balancing defensive solidity with end-product.

Porro and Trippier’s lower figures hint at either less clinical finishing from teammates or a lower success rate in their final-third decision-making.

Ultimately, in football’s final analysis, goals win matches — and Timber and James currently stand out as the right-backs making the biggest difference in that regard.

Successful Take-ons

Successful take-ons measure how often a player beats an opponent one-on-one to progress play or create space.

For full-backs, this is an important indicator of attacking threat and confidence in possession, especially in teams that rely on width to break defensive lines.

Player	Club	Successful Take-ons (2025–26)
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	4
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	4
Reece James	Chelsea	3
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	0

In the 2025–26 season, both Jurrien Timber and Pedro Porro lead with four successful take-ons each, highlighting their willingness to push forward and challenge opponents directly. Reece James follows closely with three, showing glimpses of his trademark drive from deep, though perhaps playing with more tactical restraint under Chelsea’s current setup.

Kieran Trippier, meanwhile, is yet to register a single successful take-on this season — an indication that his influence comes more from delivery and positioning rather than dribbling past defenders.

The modern full-backs seems to have the ability to take on and beat opponents can be crucial, and Timber and Porro’s numbers demonstrate their importance as progressive outlets in their respective teams.

Pass Completion (%)

Passing accuracy remains one of the most important indicators of a defender’s composure, intelligence, and technical quality. For right-backs, it reflects not only their ability to retain possession but also their capacity to initiate and sustain attacking transitions.

Player	Club	Pass Completion (%) (2025–26)
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	85.7%
Reece James	Chelsea	84.4%
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	78.4%
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	70.8%

In the 2025–26 season, Jurrien Timber stands out with an impressive 85.7% pass completion rate, highlighting his calmness in possession and precision when distributing from the back. Reece James follows closely at 84.4%, maintaining his reputation as a technically secure and progressive full-back for Chelsea.

Kieran Trippier ranks third with 78.4%, showing reasonable control though not as efficient under pressure. Pedro Porro, however, records the lowest accuracy among the group at 70.8%, suggesting a higher-risk approach to passing that sometimes compromises retention.

Timber and James clearly exhibit greater control and passing reliability this season— key attributes for modern possession-based football.

Long Pass Accuracy (%)

The ability to deliver accurate long passes is one of the most valuable traits for a modern full-back. It enables defenders to switch play, break opposition lines, and launch counter-attacks that relieve pressure at the back — all vital components of an elite, possession-based system.

Player	Club	Long Pass Accuracy (%) (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	57.9%
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	54.3%
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	42.1%
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	32.6%

In the 2025–26 season, Reece James leads all Premier League right-backs in long pass accuracy (57.9%), showing his excellent range and ability to find teammates even from deep positions.

For example, Reece James’ pass to set up Gittens against Liverpool this season was nothing short of sublime — a perfect display of vision, precision, and technique.

This video typifies just how good Reece James is at long-range passing.

This video typifies just how good Reece James is at long-range passing.

Watch on X (Twitter)

Kieran Trippier follows closely at 54.3%, maintaining his trademark precision when delivering long diagonals for Newcastle United.

Jurrien Timber, despite being the most balanced overall, ranks third at 42.1%, reflecting Arsenal’s preference for shorter, controlled buildup play.

Pedro Porro has the lowest completion rate at 32.6%, often attempting ambitious forward passes that don’t always find their target.

Progressive Passes

Progressive passes measure how effectively a player moves the ball closer to the opponent’s goal line.

For right-backs, this stat highlights how forward-thinking and attack-minded they are — preferring to advance play instead of recycling possession backward and inviting pressure.

Player	Club	Progressive Passes (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	23
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	47
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	44
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	70

In the 2025–26 season, Kieran Trippier leads all Premier League right-backs with 70 progressive passes, showing his great influence as Newcastle’s primary outlet in buildup play.

Jurrien Timber ranks second with 47, demonstrating the considerable trust Arsenal have in his ability to progress the ball from deep and transition smoothly into attack.

Pedro Porro follows closely with 44, reflecting Tottenham’s emphasis on vertical play under Ange Postecoglou, while Reece James lags behind with 23, largely due to Chelsea’s more conservative buildup structure this season.

Trippier’s dominance in this metric highlights his elite distribution and tactical awareness, while Timber’s steady progression could underscore why he’s seen as the most balanced right-back in the EPL 2025–26.

Progressive Carries

Progressive carries measure how often a player moves the ball forward while controlling it with his feet — an indicator of confidence, technical quality, and attacking intent.

This ability is vital in helping the team drive attacks forward and relieve defensive pressure without always relying on passes.

Player	Club	Progressive Carries (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	8
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	18
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	18
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	8

Both Jurrien Timber and Pedro Porro lead the way with 18 progressive carries each this season, showing their willingness to venture forward with the ball and link play higher up the pitch.

In contrast, Reece James and Kieran Trippier, with just 8 each, have been more conservative in advancing possession from deep.

Progressive Carrying Distance (Yards)

Progressive carrying distance measures how far a player has advanced the ball with controlled dribbles towards the opponent’s goal line. Also, this metric highlights both technical confidence and a player’s willingness to drive play forward.

Player	Club	Progressive Carrying Distance (Yards)
Reece James	Chelsea	519
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	623
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	876
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	487

Pedro Porro leads the group with an impressive 876 yards, showcasing his dynamism and ball-carrying influence from right-back. Jurrien Timber follows with 623 yards, while Reece James comes third on 519 yards. Kieran Trippier ranks lowest, having carried the ball progressively for 487 yards this season.

Much like in the progressive carries metric, Pedro Porro and Jurrien Timber stand out as the most effective full-backs at advancing play through purposeful ball progression.

Progressive Passing Distance (Yards)

Progressive passing distance measures how far a player’s completed forward passes travel toward the opponent’s goal — a true marker of attacking intent.

Player	Club	Progressive Passing Distance (Yards)
Reece James	Chelsea	1,570
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	1,489
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	3,044
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	2,994

In this metric, Pedro Porro stands out, with his passes covering a remarkable 3,044 yards this season, seemingly showing that he is constantly driving Tottenham forward.

Kieran Trippier follows closely with 2,994 yards, showing his trademark precision from deep. Reece James and Jurrien Timber, with 1,570 and 1,489 yards respectively, have adopted a more measured approach when progressing play this way.

Crosses into the Penalty Area

Crosses into the penalty area measure how often a player successfully delivers the ball into dangerous attacking zones, directly creating scoring opportunities. For modern full-backs, this metric highlights attacking contribution, creativity, and positioning awareness in the final third.

Player	Club	Crosses into Penalty Area (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	1
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	2
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	8
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	2

Pedro Porro leads comfortably with 8 crosses into the box, reflecting his aggressive forward play and key role in Tottenham’s attacking width.

Both Jurrien Timber and Kieran Trippier follow with 2 each, showing moderate attacking involvement, while Reece James, with only 1, has been more defensively conservative this season.

This season, Pedro Porro has been better at crossing than Jurrien Timber.

Key Passes

Key passes represent those decisive passes that directly lead to a shot on goal — a true measure of a player’s creative impact from deep.

Player	Club	Key Passes (2025–26)
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	14
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	13
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	10
Reece James	Chelsea	9

Pedro Porro leads this category with 14 key passes, showcasing his sharp attacking vision and forward-thinking play. Kieran Trippier follows closely with 13, continuing to prove his worth as one of the league’s most reliable creators from right-back.

Jurrien Timber sits third with 10 key passes, while Reece James ranks fourth on 9, reflecting a more balanced role in Chelsea’s buildup play.

Passes into the Penalty Area

Passes into the penalty area reflect a defender’s attacking confidence and ability to deliver precise final-third balls into dangerous spaces. It’s a measure of how often a right-back advances play to create high-quality chances near the opponent’s goal.

Player	Club	Passes into Penalty Area (2025–26)
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	15
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	12
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	9
Reece James	Chelsea	4

Jurrien Timber leads this metric decisively with 15 passes into the penalty box this season across the EPL and Champions League, showcasing his attacking intent and positional intelligence.

Pedro Porro follows with 12, consistently delivering threatening crosses and forward passes. Kieran Trippier ranks third with 9, while Reece James has made 4, showing a more reserved approach in advanced positions.

Through Balls

Through balls are a mark of vision, precision, and bravery — the ability to split a defensive line and find a teammate in stride. For a defender, it reflects confidence in possession and a forward-thinking mindset.

Player	Club	Through Balls (2025–26)
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	5
Reece James	Chelsea	3
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	1
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	1

Jurrien Timber once again stands out with 5 completed through balls this season, showing his sharp anticipation and creative edge from deep positions.

Reece James follows with 3, often spotting runners early and threading intelligent passes forward. Pedro Porro and Kieran Trippier each have 1, suggesting their play has leaned more toward wide deliveries and crosses than central penetrative passes.

Clearances

Clearances reveal how often a defender steps in to end danger — cutting out attacks, relieving pressure, and keeping their side secure in defensive transitions. It’s a metric that speaks to positioning, anticipation, and defensive alertness.

Player	Club	Clearances (2025–26)
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	39
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	19
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	17
Reece James	Chelsea	13

In this category, Pedro Porro stands head and shoulders above the rest with 39 clearances, showing his sharp defensive awareness and quick reactions inside his own half.

Jurrien Timber follows with 19, showing composure when called upon, while Kieran Trippier’s 17 and Reece James’ 13 reflect their more possession-based defensive styles rather than sheer last-ditch interventions.

Aerial Duels Won

Aerial duels offer a clear measure of a defender’s physical presence and command in the air — especially vital in set-piece situations and defensive transitions. Winning these battles often prevents second-ball chaos and ensures territorial control.

Player	Club	Aerial Duels Won (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	10
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	7
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	6
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	3

In this metric, Reece James stands out as the most dominant, winning 10 aerial duels this season — a testament to his strength, timing, and athleticism.

Kieran Trippier follows with 7, showing his consistency despite not being the tallest. Jurrien Timber ranks third with 6, while Pedro Porro sits fourth with 3, reflecting his more ground-based defensive style.

Tackles Won

Tackles won reflect how effectively a defender halts dribblers and disrupts attacking moves — a key measure of defensive timing, anticipation, and composure under pressure.

Player	Club	Tackles Won (2025–26)
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	18
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	12
Reece James	Chelsea	9
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	5

In this category, Jurrien Timber leads decisively with 18 tackles won, showcasing his defensive awareness and aggressive ball-winning instincts.

Pedro Porro follows with 12, blending attacking energy with solid defensive recovery.

Reece James has 9, several of which came in standout performances — five against Liverpool in their 2–1 win and three during Chelsea’s 2–1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Kieran Trippier completes the list with 5, reflecting a more positional rather than combative defensive style.

Interceptions

Interceptions highlight a defender’s anticipation, positioning, and ability to read the flow of play before it unfolds. It’s one of the clearest measures of defensive intelligence and awareness.

Player	Club	Interceptions (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	14
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	7
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	6
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	5

In this category, Reece James leads comfortably with 14 interceptions, showcasing his sharp game-reading ability and timing to break opposition moves early.

Jurrien Timber follows with 7, while Pedro Porro and Kieran Trippier register 6 and 5 respectively — both relying more on positional play than aggressive interception.

Blocks

Blocks reflect a defender’s bravery, positioning, and commitment to stopping opposition shots or passes before they reach dangerous areas. It’s a stat that rewards awareness, anticipation, and sheer defensive courage.

Player	Club	Blocks (2025–26)
Reece James	Chelsea	5
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	4
Pedro Porro	Tottenham Hotspur	10
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle United	4

In this category, Pedro Porro leads with an impressive 10 blocks, showing his willingness to put his body on the line for the team.

Reece James follows with 5, while Jurrien Timber and Kieran Trippier each register 4, indicating a more positional approach to defending rather than last-ditch interventions.

Conclusion

Among the four right-backs — Reece James, Jurrien Timber, Pedro Porro, and Kieran Trippier — each brings a distinct strength to the table. Porro stands out for his attacking drive and ball progression, Timber blends composure with balance on both ends, James shows precision and effectiveness in decisive moments, while Trippier offers unmatched experience and consistency.

Ultimately, their contrasting profiles underline just how diverse — and vital — the modern right-back role has become in elite football.