Full-backs used to be judged on two things: whether they could defend their flank and whether they could deliver a decent cross. The modern version of the role is far more complicated, and Pedro Porro is one of the clearest examples in the Premier League of how much it has changed.
Where the attacks begin
Track Tottenham’s possession and a pattern emerges. The ball often goes to Porro early, and from there it is played forward rather than sideways. He looks for passes between the lines, switches play across the pitch and plays into the feet of attackers moving towards him. For a full-back, that is an unusual level of responsibility.
Part of it is technique. Porro’s range of passing is wider than most players in his position, and he is comfortable striking the ball with pace over distance. Part of it is confidence: he is willing to attempt passes that carry risk, trusting that the reward is worth it.
Inside and outside
The other feature of his game is movement. Porro does not simply run up and down the touchline. At times he drifts infield into midfield areas, creating an extra passing option in the centre and allowing a winger to stay wide. At others he overlaps in the traditional way. That flexibility makes Tottenham harder to press, because opponents cannot be sure where the free player will appear.
It also creates problems for opposing wingers. A winger who follows Porro inside leaves space on the flank; a winger who stays wide lets him have time in midfield. Neither option is comfortable.
The trade-offs
There is a cost to all of this. A full-back who spends so much time in attacking positions can leave space behind, and teams with quick wide forwards will look to exploit it. Porro’s defensive positioning has been questioned at times, and the balance between his attacking freedom and his defensive responsibilities is something the coaching staff will always be managing.
But the value he adds in possession is hard to replace. In a team that wants to control games with the ball, having a full-back who can move play forward quickly and creatively is a real asset. The position may still be called right-back on the team sheet. In practice, it is one of the most important creative roles in the side.
