The top 10 full backs with the highest expected assists in Europe's top 5 leagues

Long gone are the days when a full backs main job is to defend. They’re now expected to provide an extra source of offence and in some cases even be a side’s main creative outlet.

With that being said, here are the top 10 full backs with the highest expected assists per 90 minutes in Europe’s top 5 leagues (minimum of 1,500 minutes played):

10) Pol Lirola (Marseille) - 0.19

The 24-year-old moved to the South of France last summer and has been a solid signing.

The Spaniard isn’t the kind of full back that will go storming past defenders, but is a superb crosser and passer of the ball as shown with his output.

9) Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen) - 0.19

The former Manchester City academy product IS the kind of full back that storms past defenders.

Since going to Germany from Celtic, the young Dutchman has impressed with his ability to get forwards.

But he’s shown he can pick a pass too, contributing 6 assists to Die Werkself’s push for Champions League football next season.

8) Achraf Hakimi (PSG) - 0.19

Hakimi is widely regarded as one of the best full backs in the world for a reason.

His move to the French capital last summer was perhaps overshadowed by the signing of a certain Argentinian; but in the long-term, the Moroccan will surely be seen as a more astute bit of business.

The 23-year-old averages the most chances created per 90 minutes out of all the full backs in Ligue 1.

7) Jordi Alba (Barcelona) - 0.20

The Spanish veteran isn’t showing any reluctance to get forwards despite pushing the mid-30s.

He’s created more chances than any other Barcelona player or any other full back in La Liga.

Only two players have more assists in the Spanish top tier this season too.

6) Borna Sosa (Stuttgart) - 0.23

Barcelona have been linked with the Croatian international who’s caught the eye in the Bundesliga.

No performance stood out more than when he provided a hattrick of assists against Greuther Furth at the beginning of the season.

The 24-year-old has created nearly double the number of chances of any of his teammates this campaign.

5) Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) - 0.24

It’s been a tough season for the young Canadian - he firstly had to adapt to the way Julian Nagelsmann wants to play, but also had to miss a large chunk of it through health problems.

But when playing, he’s continued to be one of the most exciting full backs in the world.

We all know about his lightning speed and fearless dribbling, but he’s also brilliant at picking a pass which will only get better as he develops.

4) Malo Gusto (Lyon) - 0.25

What a season this wonderkid is having.

Despite still only being 18, the Lyon-native has managed 34 appearances and is unsurprisingly being watched by many European giants.

Astonishingly, out of all the players in Ligue 1 to have played more minutes than Gusto, only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have a better XA per 90 minutes.

3) Angelino (RB Leipzig) - 0.26

The Spanish left back has flourished in Germany since leaving Man City.

He and Christopher Nkunku have been Leipzig’s main creative outlets this season, both creating far more chances than any of their teammates.

The 25-year-old is another player who’s been linked with a move to Barcelona.

2) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 0.31

TAA was always going to feature somewhere in this list.

The Liverpool right back tops the list for XA in the Premier League this season and only Bruno Fernandes has created more chances than him.

He’s reached double figures for assists in 3 out of his last 4 league campaigns and continues to be one of the best crossers in world football.

1) David Raum (Hoffenheim) - 0.39

Not a name many were expecting to see top of this list, nor would I expect many outside of Germany to have even heard of him - but Raum’s figures this season are remarkable.

The 24-year-old has 11 assists to his name and only has Thomas Muller and Filip Kostic ahead of him in the Bundesliga for chances created this season.

He’s been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool and it would be some threat for the Reds to have Europe’s top two full backs for XA on both flanks.