I still remember watching that 2019 season unfold, thinking how incredibly lucky we were to witness such an amazing display of talent from football's top right backs. The debate about who truly deserved the crown as the best RB that year still pops up whenever I'm chatting with fellow fans over pints. Looking back, what strikes me most is how different each contender's style was - it wasn't just about who defended best or attacked most, but who mastered that delicate balance that separates good players from truly great ones.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's performances for Liverpool that year were nothing short of magical. I recall watching him against Barcelona in that unforgettable Champions League semifinal where he took that quick corner that caught everyone off guard - pure genius. He finished the season with 12 assists in the Premier League alone, which for a defender is just ridiculous numbers. His crossing accuracy was around 28% if I remember correctly, and while that might not sound impressive to casual fans, in context it was phenomenal considering how many risky passes he attempted. What I loved most about Trent was his audacity - he played like a midfielder trapped in a defender's body, constantly looking to create something special.

Then there was Joshua Kimmich at Bayern Munich, who brought such intelligence to the position. Watching him was like attending a masterclass in positional awareness. He completed over 91% of his passes that season and contributed 13 assists across all competitions. What made Kimmich special in my view was his adaptability - he could slot into midfield seamlessly when needed, showing a tactical flexibility that few players possess. I remember thinking during Bayern's crucial matches how he seemed to be everywhere at once, breaking up attacks while simultaneously launching counters.

But here's where it gets interesting for me personally - the emergence of players like João Cancelo at Juventus and Kyle Walker at Manchester City added fascinating dimensions to the conversation. Walker's recovery speed was just terrifying - I've never seen anyone catch up to counterattacks like he could. His pace was clocked at around 35 km/h that season, making him essentially a cheat code against speedy wingers. Cancelo brought something different entirely - his technical ability was so refined that he often looked like he was playing a different sport than everyone else.

What really cemented my opinion though was watching how these players performed under pressure during crucial moments. I'll never forget Trent's performance in the Champions League final, or Kimmich's dominance in Bayern's title run. While stats tell part of the story - Trent's 16 assists across all competitions versus Kimmich's 13, or their differing tackle success rates of 68% and 72% respectively - what ultimately swayed me was the consistency of impact. For me, Trent's creative output and game-changing moments gave him the edge, though I completely understand why others might prefer Kimmich's reliability or Walker's defensive solidity. It was one of those beautiful years where there wasn't a wrong answer, just different interpretations of excellence in the same position.