The is dwelling to a few of the world’s finest passers.
Traditionally, many proficient ball distributors have made their mark in England’s prime division, together with legends like Paul Scholes, Xabi Alonso, and David Silva, amongst others. With 2024 near ending, it’s time to focus on the top-performing passers within the competitors this yr, ranked by their Squawka Rating, with this solely together with gamers who’ve performed not less than 1000 minutes.
The sorts of passes which are factored into the ranking embody quite a lot of strategies, together with lengthy passes exceeding 35 yards, by means of passes that penetrate defensive traces, chipped passes that arc over opponents, lay-off passes that set-up teammates, pull-back passes that create area, flick-on passes that redirect the ball, open-play crosses that ship the ball into the penalty space, and commonplace passes executed throughout energetic play.
10. Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister has tailored to enjoying beneath two totally different managers at Liverpool this yr, but his elementary position on the pitch has remained constant regardless of modifications in tactical formation. Transitioning right into a double pivot place, he has shifted from his earlier tendency to navigate within the area between the quantity six and ten roles. However, the Argentine world champion continues to excel as a key distributor of the ball. In 2024, Mac Allister ranks within the 80-95 percentile vary in comparison with all gamers within the Premier League concerning his profitable execution of by means of balls, chipped passes, and lay-off passes.
9. Phil Foden
Phil Foden was recognised because the Premier League’s finest participant on the conclusion of the 2023/24 season. His latest type has been something however as Manchester Metropolis have encountered difficulties in latest weeks. That being mentioned, he’s nonetheless an distinctive passer of the ball, that are essential for a Pep Guardiola-led crew. Considered one of Foden’s standout skills is his proficiency in lay-off passes, the place he efficiently receives the ball together with his again to the purpose and deftly redirects it to a teammate. In 2024, he has averaged 2.27 lay-off passes per 90 minutes, putting him simply behind Lucas Paquetá, who leads with a median of two.4.
8. Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White has began to obtain well-deserved recognition for his skills. He lately made his debut for the England senior crew, a milestone that rewarded his excellent performances with Nottingham Forest, the place he has demonstrated an distinctive passing means. Recognized for his skilful by means of balls, Gibbs-White achieved a powerful common of 0.26 profitable by means of balls per 90 minutes in 2024, positioning him within the ninety fifth percentile amongst all gamers within the Premier League.
7. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Workforce: Liverpool
Squawka Rating: 70%
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion on this checklist was anticipated, however it’s nonetheless shocking to see him ranked so low, which reveals the calibre of competitors in England’s prime division. The dynamic Liverpool full-back stands unparalleled in his place, significantly excelling in his means to ship crosses, averaging 3.78 accomplished per 90 minutes and 1.05 from open play. Moreover, he leads all right-backs and ranks third general within the Premier League for chipped passes and lengthy passes accomplished, which refers to correct passes exceeding 35 yards, excluding throw-ins, crosses, and goalkeeping throws.
6. Bruno Guimarães
Bruno Guimarães, a flexible asset for Newcastle, has demonstrated his means to excel in varied midfield roles. At present occupying the quantity six place, he has successfully highlighted his distinctive passing vary. He ranks within the ninety fifth percentile amongst all Premier League gamers for accomplished by means of balls, showcasing his precision and imaginative and prescient on the sphere. Moreover, Guimarães is proficient in executing chipped passes, averaging 3.01 profitable aerial passes per 90 minutes, which displays his functionality to ship efficient passes that journey by means of the air somewhat than alongside the bottom, excluding crosses.
5. Dominik Szoboszlai
Workforce: Liverpool
Squawka Rating: 72%
Szoboszlai, primarily recognised for his distinctive off-the-ball motion and relentless work ethic, has additionally demonstrated a exceptional passing means this season whereas enjoying as Liverpool’s deep-lying ahead. His efficiency metrics spotlight his proficiency in finishing lay-off and pull-back passes, that are essential for a participant positioned behind the striker, significantly when the position calls for making runs past the ahead. This mixture of abilities enhances his contribution to the crew’s attacking dynamics and underscores his versatility and significance within the squad.
4. James Maddison
Since his arrival at Tottenham final summer time, James Maddison has been deployed in varied roles, together with a extra withdrawn place this season. This shift has not impeded his passing skills; somewhat, it has offered him with a chance to focus on this explicit power of his talent set. Maddison excels in a number of key passing metrics, rating within the ninety fifth percentile for by means of balls with a median of 0.26 per 90 minutes, lay-off passes at 2.16 per 90 minutes, and pull-back passes at 0.13 per 90 minutes. The latter statistic refers to his profitable execution of passes directed backward to a teammate after he has superior to the byline, demonstrating his versatility and playmaking prowess on the sphere.
3. Enzo Fernández
An astute reader of the sport, Fernández’s important goal is to thwart the opposing crew, utilising flawless tackling or strategic interceptions. Upon gaining possession, he should effectively recycle the ball, and describing his efficiency as exemplary can be an understatement. Solely two gamers have surpassed him in finishing chipped passes, and he additionally ranks prominently within the classes of accomplished by means of balls and profitable flick-ons. The latter refers back to the whole variety of deftly “flicked” passes to a teammate, sometimes involving a header.
2. Kevin De Bruyne
Workforce: Man Metropolis
Squawka Rating: 75%
There could by no means have been a extra exceptional playmaker within the historical past of the Premier League than Kevin De Bruyne, who’s now approaching the later phases of his profession. However, the Belgian star continues to shine brightly; as of 2024, he holds the second place for accomplished by means of balls, averaging 0.73 per 90 minutes, and in addition excels in open play crosses, with a median of 1.24 per 90 minutes. Moreover, he maintains a powerful rating when it comes to accomplished lay-off passes, additional underscoring his enduring impression on the sport.
1. Bruno Fernandes
Is it affordable to say that Manchester United are squandering the skills of Bruno Fernandes? The membership presently possesses the league’s prime ball distributor, but the outcomes don’t replicate this benefit. Fernandes excels in varied metrics, rating within the ninety fifth percentile for by means of balls, chipped crosses, and lay-off passes accomplished, whereas additionally demonstrating proficiency in executing lengthy passes and flick-ons. Given the numerous variety of probabilities he generates, it’s perplexing that the Purple Devils are lagging behind their rival. Historical past has proven {that a} single participant can considerably affect a crew’s efficiency, however on this occasion, Fernandes requires higher assist from his teammates to raise United out of their present predicament.