The Rise of Centre-Backs as Full-Backs: Football’s Tactical Revolution in 2023
How Manchester City Redefined Defensive Roles
In January 2023, Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola surprised fans and pundits alike by deploying an unconventional tactic during a narrow victory over Chelsea. Instead of relying on his usual 4-3-3 formation with full-backs drifting into midfield, Guardiola positioned Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker—both renowned for their inverted full-back roles—alongside a defensive backline featuring Rodri and Bernardo Silva as a double pivot.
However, the real twist wasn’t evident until the match unfolded: Rodri, typically a midfielder, was assigned as a centre-back who would push into the midfield during possession and drop back when City lost the ball. This seamless transition allowed City to control the game while maintaining defensive stability—an innovation that would soon ripple across elite football.
The Evolution of the Back Three and the ‘Ake Role’
Although Guardiola is often credited with tactical reinventions, the idea of a defender stepping from centre-back into midfield isn’t entirely new. Later in the season, John Stones’ adaptability in moving between defense and midfield drew acclaim as City surged towards silverware, enhancing their ball progression and rest-defense.
Notably, the growing popularity of using players like Nathan Aké—centre-backs deployed in wide defensive roles to support possession and cover transitions—soon caught on with clubs across Europe. Teams such as Bayern Munich with Benjamin Pavard and Barcelona with Ronald Araújo had previously experimented with this concept, but Guardiola’s systematic application at City brought new attention and precision to the tactic.
The Shift From Traditional Full-Backs
While traditional full-backs like Ben White at Arsenal or Jules Koundé at Barcelona occasionally fulfill more defensive duties, they typically still support attacks, overlapping wingers and providing width. Guardiola’s approach, however, positioned at least one full-back in a highly reserved, almost centre-back-like posture even for dominant, possession-based teams.
This shift marks a clear departure from the era where only counterattacking or low-possession sides relied on defensive-minded full-backs. Today, even the world’s most attacking teams routinely field a centre-back as a full-back to bolster both build-up play and defensive transitions.
Why Centre-Backs Are Filling Full-Back Vacancies
A growing number of top clubs stockpile elite centre-backs to satisfy the demands of deep European runs and grueling league campaigns. For example, when Manchester City added Manuel Akanji to a roster already boasting Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Aké, and Aymeric Laporte, it created a selection dilemma: how to integrate so much defensive talent.
By strategically shifting one or more centre-backs into wide defensive roles, managers ensure their strongest, most physically imposing defenders are on the pitch. The benefits include:
– Superior one-on-one defending against wide attackers
– Excellent aerial ability for set-piece threats
– Comfort in building from the back, especially against high-pressing opponents
Moreover, centering defensive build-up around multi-talented centre-backs lets teams quickly re-organize when countered, as these players are typically more capable in isolated or transitional scenarios.
Rest-Defense: Enhancing Transitions Through Structure
Historically, possession-driven teams like Liverpool and Manchester City relied on inverted or attacking full-backs, resulting in a ‘2+3’ or ‘2+2’ rest-defense shell. While effective for central counter-pressing, this often left teams vulnerable against rapid transitions down the wings, as only two centre-backs were left to cover vast spaces.
Adopting a back three in possession—often formed by shifting a centre-back into a wide zone—strengthens this transitional defense. If an attacking player gets past the first defender, the other two can slide across and cover, minimizing disruption and reducing exposure to dangerous counterattacks. The improvement in “rest-defense” structures is now a hallmark of modern tactical setups.
Comparing Centre-Backs and Full-Backs in the Modern Game
Modern centre-backs have evolved into well-rounded athletes: comfortable with the ball, physically robust, and disciplined in one-on-one scenarios. When deployed out wide in a back three system, they offer a blend of strength and composure that many contemporary full-backs, who are often trained primarily for attacking output, may lack.
For example, players like Kyle Walker stand out for their transitional speed and athleticism, but centre-backs such as Nathan Aké, Joško Gvardiol, and Manuel Akanji bring the added dimensions of aerial command and positional awareness—attributes especially vital during defensive transitions and set pieces.
Full-backs specializing in attack or possession—like Trent Alexander-Arnold or Andrew Robertson—are also sometimes tasked with reserved roles, but often struggle to match the sheer physical presence required to dominate out wide defensively against top opposition.
Achieving Tactical Balance: Building for Attack While Guarding the Back
The modern evolution doesn’t merely boost defense. Managers are increasingly keen to strike a blend between attacking creativity and defensive stability within a single lineup. Now, teams commonly use:
– One high-flying, creative wing-back to provide width and attacking support
– One reserved, defensively robust full-back (often a centre-back by trade) to anchor rest-defense and protect transitions
This balance is evident in how clubs like Chelsea use Malo Gusto as an attacking right-back, while Levi Colwill (a natural centre-back) sits deeper on the left. City, meanwhile, deploys a centre-back in midfield, offering both structural rigidity and a platform for creative players to advance.
The knock-on effect? Creative wingers can operate on the side of the advancing full-back for interior overloads, while direct, pacey wingers complement the more defensive flank. The familiar “3-2-4-1” shape now surfaces in top clubs’ attacking patterns, emphasizing vertical compactness alongside creative and defensive discipline.
Case Studies: Tactical Trends Across Clubs and Leagues
This tactical flex is not limited to England or Europe’s elite. In the Canadian Premier League, both Cavalry FC and HFX Wanderers adopted City-inspired setups, blending creative full-backs with defensive-minded centre-backs in wide positions. Whether teams opt for a more creative or a more physically imposing wide defender, the essential goal is to maximize tactical flexibility and minimize defensive vulnerability.
Other prominent examples include:
– Aston Villa deploying Ezri Konsa wide in a back three
– Newcastle United using Dan Burn as a left-back with centre-back qualities
– Arsenal recruiting Jurriën Timber specifically to play this hybrid role
– Chelsea integrating Levi Colwill in a similar fashion
The Ripple Effects and Future of Defensive Hybrid Roles
What began as a measured tweak by innovative coaches is now a sweeping trend re-shaping world football. The hybrid centre-back/full-back role is strengthening rest-defense structures and enabling teams to maintain fluid, attacking shapes without sacrificing transition compactness.
While Guardiola’s Manchester City popularized the approach, the underlying logic has spread well beyond the Premier League, altering recruitment strategies and player development philosophies worldwide. Top teams increasingly look for defenders who can shift seamlessly between multiple roles—a demand likely to grow as tactical systems get more refined.
Conclusion: A Defining Tactical Shift in Modern Football
The rise of centre-backs as full-backs in 2023 has produced a new archetype in world football—a hybrid defender equally adept at dominating duels, building possession, and protecting transitions. Whether inspired by Guardiola’s innovations or the practical need to get the best players on the pitch, this trend has redefined defensive versatility for the modern game.
Expect this tactical evolution to continue influencing lineups, transfer markets, and football philosophies well beyond 2024, as teams strive for the perfect balance between progressive play and defensive resilience.
