The Best Attacking Fullbacks and Wingbacks in Women's Super League Football
Overview
Modern fullbacks and wingbacks are no longer just defenders—they’re vital to a team’s attacking shape, chance creation, and transitional play. In the Women’s Super League (WSL), the best in these roles combine high work rates with quality on the ball, intelligent positioning, and consistent end product. Using a position-specific framework, ScoutDeck® has broken down the fullback/wingback role into five key areas – Defensive Output, Aerial Ability, Crossing Quality, Chance Creation and Ball Carrying.
Each area is weighted based on in-game impact, using Wyscout data to identify standout performers and role fits across the league. This approach doesn’t just highlight the most active players – it highlights the most effective, and is ideal for recruitment, benchmarking, or performance review.
Data Analysis Rankings
Performance Framework
Attacking Fullback/Wingback Evaluation Framework
This Player Performance Framework evaluates attacking Fullbacks/Wingbacks in the Women’s Super League by assessing their defensive reliability, aerial ability, crossing accuracy, chance creation, and ball-carrying/dribbling proficiency. Our weighting structure takes into account the modern football landscape, where fullbacks and wingbacks need to balance defensive duties with offensive output. Defensive attributes remain essential but are balanced with metrics that assess technical ability, creativity, and effective progression in wide areas of the pitch. The framework categories have been carefully weighted to prioritise skills that define a modern attacking fullback/wingback in the WSL, ensuring those who excel in advancing the ball, creating chances and maintaining defensive discipline, stand out.
Defensive Ability (20%)
Attacking Fullbacks and Wingbacks in Women’s Super League football must perform defensive duties effectively, even if their primary role involves pushing forward. The defensive category is weighted at 20% to reflect the necessity of defensive reliability while allowing room for more offensively-focused metrics.
Metrics and Weighting :
Defensive Duels per 90 (25%)
Measures how often a player engages in defensive situations.
Defensive Duels Won % (35%)
Reflects the player’s ability to win challenges and gain possession.
PAdj Interceptions (20%)
Shows how often the player intercepts passes to disrupt the opposition.
Successful Defensive Actions per 90 (20%)
Combines key defensive actions to assess effectiveness.
Aerial Ability (10%)
Aerial ability is important for Fullbacks/Wingbacks in the WSL, especially when defending against crosses or set-pieces, and in aerial duels during transitions. While less critical than for central defenders, it remains significant in both defensive and offensive situations.
Metrics and Weighting :
- Aerial Duels per 90 (30%)
Measures involvement in aerial challenges. - Aerial Duels Won % (70%)
Focuses on efficiency in aerial dominance.
Crossing (15%)
Crossing is fundamental for attacking Fullbacks and Wingbacks in the Women’s Super League who frequently operate in wide areas. Delivering accurate crosses from advanced positions is crucial for creating goalscoring opportunities – especially against compact defences.
Metrics and Weighting :
Crosses per 90 (40%)
Indicates crossing frequency, showing how often the player delivers balls into the box.
Accurate Crosses % (60%)
Measures the precision of these deliveries, as accurate crosses are vital for creating high-quality chances.
Chance Creation (30%)
Fullbacks/Wingbacks in the WSL are increasingly tasked with creating chances, especially in systems that rely on width for attacking depth. As such, this category holds a significant 30% weighting.
Metrics and Weighting :
Expected Assists (xA) per 90 (40%)
Quantifies the quality of passes that lead to shots. Highlighting the players ability to create high-value opportunities.
Key Passes per 90 (30%)
Tracks passes that directly lead to a shot, reflecting creativity and passing vision.
Passes into the Penalty Area (20%)
Assesses the ability to break through defensive lines with incisive passes.
Accurate Passes into the Penalty Area % (10%)
Evaluates the quality and reliability of penetrating passes, crucial for maintaining attacking momentum.
Ball Carrying and Dribbling (25%)
Modern Fullbacks/Wingbacks in Women’s Super League football are expected to progress the ball up the pitch, both to alleviate opposition pressure and to instigate attacks. Ball carrying and dribbling are key components of this responsibility.
Metrics and Weighting :
Progressive Runs per 90 (50%)
Measures the ability to carry the ball forward into advanced areas, often bypassing multiple opponents.
Dribbles per 90 (20%)
This metric indicates how frequently the player attempts to beat an opposition player and showcases their confidence and skill.
Successful Dribbles % (30%)
This highlights technical ability and effectiveness in maintaining possession during dribbling actions.
