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Big chances created are an interesting metric in football. What is a big chance? According to Opta, it is a situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score. This is usually in a one-on-one scenario or from very close range when the ball has a clear path to goal and there is low to moderate pressure on the shooter. Penalties are always considered big chances.
That being clarified, let us now look at the U21 players who have created the most big chances in the top leagues this season.
#6 Phil Foden - 8
At only 21, Phil Foden has established himself as an important member of one of the best teams in the world. Pep Guardiola once called him the most talented player he has seen in his career and Foden has largely made true on his potential.
The 2017 U17 World Cup Player of the Tournament has created eight big chances in the Premier League this season. To go with this, he has also scored six and assisted three goals. City are currently favorites for the title and if they do win, it will be Foden's 4th Premier League medal.
#5 Erling Haaland - 8
Being the lethal striker he is, one would perhaps associate Erling Haaland with getting on the end of big chances rather than creating them. That being said, he has created eight big chances this season. This could be due to his involvement in Dortmund's attacking style of football in and around the box.
Haaland is regarded as one of the two best players in the world but this season, he has been a bit injury prone. Despite that, he has scored 16 goals and assisted five in the Bundesliga. All the big clubs will be fighting to sign him in the summer.
#4 Jude Bellingham - 8
Haaland's Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham is another U21 player to have created 8 big chances this season. The English central midfielder joined Dortmund from Birmingham City last season and has established himself as a composed and mature presence in the center of the park.
Not only that, but this season he has added goal contributions to his game as well. Bellingham currently sits on three goals and six assists. The 18-year-old will soon be at the center of a bidding war and there is absolutely no doubt that he will rule the midfield of his future club for the next decade and a half.
#3 Dominik Szoboszlai - 10
There's something so inherently watchable about the way Dominik Szoboszlai plays football. The Hungarian's passing and ball striking are a sight for sore eyes. He made his first move to a top-five league club to RB Leipzig last summer and has silently been quite good.
Although he hasn't garnered a lot of headlines, the attacking midfielder has managed to rack up four goals and five assists. He is at his deadliest in the final third, averaging 5.03 shot creating actions per game. He has created 10 big chances so far in this season's Bundesliga.
#2 Amine Gouiri - 10
Every year, Ligue 1 comes up with some huge talent. This year, Amine Gouiri might be the one. The former Lyon academy graduate was picked up by Nice for a mere seven million euros in 2020 and they are reaping the benefits. Gouiri has 10 goals and seven assists this season, mostly from a second striker role alongside either Kasper Dolberg or Andy Delort.
The Frenchman has been scouted by a lot of big clubs and while this year's World Cup might be too early, Gouiri will play a lot for France. Gouiri has created 10 big chances this season. He is interestingly also a great dribbler, completing 7.26 progressive carries and 1.95 dribbles.
#1 Florian Wirtz - 12
When Kai Havertz left Bayer Leverkusen, everyone thought they would be massively affected. The emergence of Florian Wirtz has put that to bed. The German 18-year old has been in ridiculous form this season, which has seen him emerge as one of the best players in the Bundesliga. He's already amassed seven league goals and 10 assists. Apart from this, he has laid down 12 big chances for his teammates.
Leverkusen are a thrilling attacking side to watch and Wirtz is arguably their best player despite this tender age. He averages 5 shot creating actions and 0.99 goal creating actions per 90 minutes. He also provides 0.42 through balls a game which is among the highest in Europe.
