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With leagues across Europe coming to an end, teams are already planning for next season. Modern managers these days value a good passer incredibly highly, and the emergence of ball-playing centre-backs is a direct result of that.
Passing is subjective. Attacking players tend to try more risky and creative passes, while certain midfielders are given the job of running the midfield, and go for the safer option rather than the exciting one. Taking everything into consideration like passing accuracy, chances created and key pasess,We look at:
Top 10 best passers in football this season
#10 DIMITRI PAYET, MARSEILLE
One of the best creators in France right now, Dimitri Payet has had another fine season.
Payet joined Marseille from West Ham United in 2017 for a fee of £25 million in a controversial move. Since then he has been one of the most underrated players in France, with his exceptional creativity and passing ability a vital asset for manager Andre Villas-Boas.
The France international has predominantly played on the left-wing for Marseille this season. He made 22 appearances in the league, scoring nine goals and providing four assists. His creativity was evident from his key passes per game, which was the highest in the Marseille squad with four. He also led the squad for crosses per game. The 33-year old also managed 2.7 long balls per game, from a forward position.
#9 EVER BANEGA, SEVILLA
Another player who has arguably gone under the radar, Ever Banega has been one of La Liga's under-appreciated stars.
Banega rejoined Sevilla after a season at Inter Milan for a fee of €7 million in 2017. The Argentina international has been everpresent in Sevilla' midfield since then, with his wide range of passing as well as technical ability often helping his side.
The 32-year old, who is set to join Al Shabab in the summer, made 33 appearances in the league, scoring three goals and providing seven assists. An exceptional forward passer, Banega led the Sevilla squad for key passes per game, with 1.8. He also acted as the metronome of the side, and averaged 67 passes per game with a pass accuracy of 86%.
#8 ALEJANDRO GOMEZ, ATALANTA
The talisman of an exciting Atalanta team, Alejandro "Papu" Gomez has been a fine servant for the Italian side.
Gomez joined Atalanta from Metalist Kharkiv for a fee of €4.5 million in 2014. The Argentina international has made more than 30 appearances in the league in five of his six seasons at the club, highlighting his influence. Currently, he is also the captain of Atalanta.
This season under Gian Piero Gasperini, the 32-year old has been utilized as a central midfielder, a left-winger and as a striker. A creative force with good dribbling and passing ability, Gomez has been a nightmare for opposition defenders. He has played 34 games in the league this season, scoring six goals and grabbing 16 assists.
He came fourth in Europe for key passes per game, highlighting his creative nous. He also managed 1.8 crosses per game, an impressive addition to his many talents, while having a pass accuracy of 85.6%.
Also Read: Reports: Barcelona aiming to complete Lautaro Martinez deal by next month
#7 MARQUINHOS, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
With the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the squad, players like Marquinhos tend to go unnoticed. However, there is no denying his importance for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazil international joined Paris Saint-Germain from Roma for a fee of €31.4 million in 2013. Although predominantly a centre-back, the arrival of Thomas Tuchel has seen him operate as a defensive midfielder, where he has excelled.
The 26-year old played 19 games in the league this season, mostly as a central midfielder. He had an impressive pass accuracy of 93.4%, highlighting why he has been termed as one of the best ball-playing defenders in the world. He also managed 3.8 long balls per game from midfield.
#6 DAVID ALABA, BAYERN MUNICH
Arguably the best utility player in the world. David Alaba is an excellent left-back, centre-back, left-winger and a central midfielder, all rolled into one.
A Bayern Munich academy product, the arrival of Pep Guardiola made Alaba into who he is today. The Austria international is now regarded as one of the best players in the world, with his passing ability and match intelligence well-renowned.
Now 28 years of age, Alaba played 28 games in the league, scoring one goal and providing one assist. A centre-back for large stretches of the season under Hansi Flick, he averaged 86.7 passes per game, the best in Europe, with a pass accuracy of 90.7%. He only has one year left in his contract, with Manchester City, Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona all keeping a close eye.
#5 VIRGIL VAN DIJK, LIVERPOOL
The best centre-back in the world, Virgil van Dijk's rise has been impressive.
The 29-year old joined Liverpool from Southampton for a fee of £75 million in 2018, and is already a fan favourite at his club. A looming defensive presence, his ability to play out from the back has often eased the pressure on the Liverpool backline as well as on the midfield.
The Netherlands international has made 37 appearances in the league this season. He averaged 85.1 passes per game, the third-highest in Europe with a pass accuracy of 88.9%. As he averaged 5.4 long balls per game, his pass accuracy has been slightly affected.
#4 TONI KROOS, REAL MADRID
There is no denying the quality and class Toni Kroos possesses. He is one of the best midfielders of the modern generation, as his performances for Real Madrid have shown.
Kroos joined Los Blancos from Bayern Munich in 2014 for a fee of €25 million. The Germany international formed a world-class partnership in Spain with Luka Modric, as they ran teams ragged with their control in midfield.
The 30-year old made 35 appearances in the league as Real Madrid won the league title. He came fifth in Europe for pass accuracy, with 93.5%. A player with excellent vision and technical ability, he came second in the Real Madrid squad for key passes per game.
#3 TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, LIVERPOOL
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been termed as a generational talent by many critics, and his performances have certainly lived up to the billing.
A Liverpool academy graduate, Alexander-Arnold is now one of the best-attacking full-backs in the world, at the age of 21. The England international's creativity and crossing ability from the right has provided Jurgen Klopp with a different weapon to destroy opponents. His technical skills are such that it has been suggested that he would do well in a midfield role.
The England international has made 37 appearances in the Premier League, scoring four goals and providing 13 assists. He managed 2.4 key passes per game, highlighting his creativity, and averaged nearly 66 passes per game with an accuracy of 76.6%. His cross-field passing ability has earned acclaim.
#2 KEVIN DE BRUYNE, MANCHESTER CITY
The best player in the Premier League this season, Kevin De Bruyne continues to perform at the highest level possible.
The Belgium international joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a fee of £54 million, and has played a pivotal role under manager Pep Guardiola. His creativity, passing, dribbling and vision have all stood out, while his renowned crosses have resulted in a plethora of goals.
The 29-year old played 34 games in the Premier League this season, scoring 11 goals and providing 19 assists. He came second in Europe for key passes per game, and also led the Manchester City squad for crosses per game.
#1 LIONEL MESSI, BARCELONA
Who else? Arguably the greatest player to have played the game, Lionel Messi's legend increases daily.
An incredible talent, the 33-year old has been Barcelona's talisman and best player for some time now. An exceptional passer, creator as well as goalscorer, the Argentina international has been at his usual brilliant best in a poor Barcelona side.
Messi made 33 appearances in the league for Barcelona, scoring 25 goals and providing 21 assists. He led the Barcelona squad for key passes per game, dribbles per game and shots per game. His creativity and vision have often unlocked defences.
Also Read: Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reveals Lionel Messi shirt bet involving Andy Robertson
