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Assists are often used to determine how creative a player is, but it is not the most accurate statistic to determine this. A better measure would be 'key passes'. It refers to a pass that creates a goal-scoring opportunity.
In past seasons, the likes of Lionel Messi, Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil have scored high in key passes per game. While some of the usual names like Kroos, Ozil and Kevin De Bruyne are missing from the list this season, the players who have stepped into the top five have been the creative force of their respective clubs. So let's look at the players with the most key passes per game so far this season.
#5 Memphis Depay: 3.1 Key Passes Per Game
The former Manchester United winger moved to Lyon a couple of seasons ago to resurrect his career after an unsuccessful stint with the Red Devils. It worked. Depay has been in sensational form for the French club this season as well with six goals and 12 assists. His impressive 3.1 key passes per game, according to whoscored.com, is one of the best in Europe and shows just how much he has grown as a player since leaving Old Trafford. It's bad news for Lyon though as he's now looking to move to a bigger club and, considering his form, more than one European giant will want to prize him away.
#4 Lionel Messi: 3.1 Key Passes Per Game
The Argentinian's inclusion in this list is hardly a surprise given the remarkable consistency he's shown since breaking into Barcelona's first team over a decade ago. Messi has a whopping 29 goals and 11 assists from just 26 appearances in all competitions this season. He's on top of both those lists in Europe. If those numbers were not enough to prove just how good he's been, he also has a stellar 3.1 key passes per game - statistical proof that he's the creative fulcrum of the team. If the Blaugrana are to clinch the treble this season, Messi's form will be critical.
#3 Alejandro Gomez: 3.4 Key Passes Per Game
Tied in third, we have Alejandro Gomez. Atlanta's attacking midfielder has in surprising good form this season, helping his team close in on Europa League qualification ahead of the likes of Lazio and Fiorentina. He has five goals and seven assists to his name and has been one of the best players in the league.
The Argentinian's whopping 3.4 key passes per game means he has also been one of the most creative players in Europe. In fact, Atalanta are the highest-scoring team in Serie A with 47 goals, and that is due to Gomez. His brilliance was on show in the recent 3-0 drubbing of Juventus in the Coppa Italia. If Atalanta aspire to improve and grab a European spot next season, Gomez's form will be crucial to their ambitions in the second half of the season.
#2 Kerem Demirbay: 3.4 Key Passes Per Game
Kerem Demirbay has been one of the few players who have performed for Hoffenheim as they struggle in the Bundesliga. His incredible 3.4 key passes per game means he is also one of the best creators in Europe. He has only three assists to his name in the league, which probably is a sign of how disappointing the attackers have been in finishing the chances created by the 25-year-old German.
The attacking midfielder's statistics other than goals have been nothing short of brilliant. He averages 48.4 passes per game, 3.4 key passes per game, 1.6 crosses per game and 2.9 long balls per game. An all-action midfielder, he has been brilliant defensively as well; he has 1.4 tackles per game and 0.7 interceptions per game, not bad for an attacking player.
#1 Dimitri Payet: 3.5 key passes per game
At the top is Dimitri Payet. The 31-year-old Frenchman, as usual, has been the creator-in-chief for Marseille with 3.5 key passes per game. However, despite this, they are having a disappointing season as they struggle in 10th place in Ligue 1. They haven't been able to score and have conceded too many as well. Payet has a paltry five assists in the league because Marseille's attackers have failed to convert the chances created by the former West Ham player. It's a shame that they haven't been able to score despite having Europe's most creative player but Payet will continue to be important for the club's form.
