The Premier League is host to a number of creative stars who run the show for their teams and create plenty of chances and chip in with crucial goals. These ‘number 10s’ or playmakers are usually the most skilled players in their teams.
Ranking the 10 best playmakers in the Premier League is no easy task. Ozil, Hazard, Coutinho and De Bruyne all fefature on this list but which position are they in? Without much ado, let us look at the 10 best creative midfielders in the Premier League.
Note: Only players playing in the attacking midfielder role have been considered. Stats correct as of Gameweek 11.
#10 Dusan Tadic
Southampton’s gifted Serbian playmaker Dusan Tadic has been playing well but has not found the right kind of support from his team-mates. Although Tadic has created a very high number of chances (30) this season, a lack of clinical finishing has seen Tadic have 0 assists this season.
Also read: Tadic can match Bale, says Serbia's Kostic
Tadic’s stats might pale in comparison to the other playmakers in the League, but he has still been one of Southampton’s best performers and anyone who has seen the Serbian play will agree that he deserves his place in the top 10 playmakers of the Premier League.
The 27-year-old is currently at the peak of his career and with many Italian sides like AC Milan, Inter Milan and Napoli interested in securing his services, the Serbian international might well be plying his trade outside the Premier League in the next transfer window.
#9 Ross Barkley
Considered to be the next big hope for English football, Ross Barkley had had a mixed start to his Premier League campaign so far. One of the most talented players in the Everton squad, Barkley was dropped by Koeman in a key match against Manchester City. Speaking about his tough treatment towards Barkley, Koeman said:
“Yes, he’s young but after four years of playing in the Premier League don’t mention that too much. He is experienced, and yes, he needs to perform. That’s what everybody needs to do.”
Also read: Barkley still not fully convincing Everton boss Koeman
The Merseyside lad seemed to take the criticism on the chin and has come back looking much sharper than before. He even scored a goal after his comeback to the team and Ronald Koeman will be hoping that the immensely talented Barkley lives up to his potential this year.
#8 Christian Eriksen
One of the most gifted players in England, Christian Eriksen has struggled to influence games and be decisive in the Premier League this season. Gifted with excellent technical ability, vision and passing ability, the Danish star is the main creative influence in this Tottenham Hotspur side.
Spurs were very impressive in the Premier League last season with Harry Kane and Eriksen being the star players. However, this season, Eriksen has yet to find the back of the net and only has 3 assists so far, even though he is the set-piece taker for the North London club.
Also read: Eriksen renews contract with Tottenham Hotspur until 2020
Eriksen has created 25 chances this season and if he improves his decision-making in the final third, the Tottenham star might find himself much higher on this list by the end of this season.
A fun video from a couple of years ago, showing Eriksen’s class:
#7 David Silva
The Spanish magician has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League ever since he joined Manchester City in 2010. An absolute joy to watch when he is in full flow, Silva often leaves fans, players, managers and everyone associated with football spellbound with his quick feet and skills.
This season under Pep Guardiola, Silva has started off well, contributing heavily in all of City’s attacks. Although he has yet to find the back of the net, he has set up many attacks having created 30 chances in the Premier League with 2 assists.
Also read: Jurgen Klopp picks David Silva as the player he admires the most in the Premier League
Under Pep, Silva seems to have added to the defensive side of his game having made a very impressive 9 interceptions so far. Although his role has slightly changed under Guardiola, the Spanish magician still remains one of the best playmakers in the Premier League.
What a team David Silva picks for his all time XI!
#6 Mesut Ozil
“We've got Ozil Mesut Ozil. I just don't think you understand! He's Arsene Wenger's man, He's better than Zidane. We’ve got Mesut Ozil”
Arsenal fans have been serenading Mesut Ozil ever since he made his move to Arsenal in 2013. When a song is sung about comparing him to Zidane, you know that we are talking about a special player.
One of the most technically gifted players in the world, the German playmaker is known as the ‘king of assists’, but surprisingly in the Premier League this season, Ozil has only one assist.
Also read: Mesut Ozil's magical skill and finish in the UEFA Champions League
What the German has improved however is his defensive side of the game. Ozil has made 10 interceptions in the League the third highest on this list. With 26 chances created and 3 goals scored, Ozil still remains one of the key players in Arsenal attack and Wenger will be banking on his gifted playmaker to guide Arsenal to a Premier League title.
One of the most enjoyable Ozil video football fans will ever see:
#5 Dimitri Payet
When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, everyone knew they had managed to pull off a coup by signing a player of his calibre. No disrespect to West Ham, but the talented Frenchman could have been playing in any of the top clubs across Europe.
Although the talented playmaker has not hit the heights of last season, he has still been a struggling West Ham’s best player having assisted 4 and scoring one himself. While Payet might not have hit the back of the net regularly, he has been the Hammer’s best offensive threat having created a League-high 39 chances.
Also read: 10 players who are too good for their current clubs
His performances have drawn praise from all quarters and the Hammers’ manager showed just how impressed he was when he said:
"I have to get poetry lessons to describe his importance to us," said Croatian manager Bilic.
"I haven't seen better players than that. He is also doing the dirty work and on the ball he is up there with Luka Modric from the players I have trained so far, Dimitri is one of the best I have trained and every week I want these questions about him to continue, but it is hard to be surprised."
THIS. GOAL. WOW!
#4 Joe Allen
4 goals scored, 17 chances created, 2 assists, 19 interceptions. What more can you ask from a player? Ever since making the switch from Liverpool to Stoke, Joe Allen has looked like a completely revitalised player and has arguably been Stoke’s best player this season.
Usually a deep lying midfielder, Mark Hughes has pushed Joe Allen to the number 10 position in his 4-2-3-1 formation and the move has paid rich rewards. With just 11 League games played, Allen has already matched his best goal and assists haul in a single Premier League season.
Also read: Stoke's Allen enjoying new No.10 role
After a bad start, Stoke’s form has been on the up recently and if Joe Allen continues his good performances this season, he might prove to be one of the best signings of the summer transfer window.
The video below shows Joe Allen speaking about his new role:
#3 Kevin De Bruyne
Already considered by many to be one of the most complete players in the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne has started off the 2016/17 Premier League season in fine form. His performances have been so impressive this season that popular TV pundit and former Arsenal striker John Hartson even said:
"I think De Bruyne at the moment is the second best player in the world behind Messi," he said.
"Tell me who's been playing better than him in world football at the moment.
"[Gareth] Bale's not. Suarez has been quiet recently. De Bruyne, just in behind Messi, is the best in the world right now."
Leading the assists chart this season, Kevin De Bruyne’s stats just show how important he is to this Manchester City team:
2 goals, 30 chances created, 6 assists and 11 interceptions make him one of the best players in the Premier League at the moment.
#2 Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard looks like a completely different player from last season. Revitalized under Conte, the Belgian superstar has been mesmerising defenders with his quick feet, dribbling and skills.
A change in formation under Conte sees Hazard play more in the centre, in the hole just behind Diego Costa and the move seems to have suited him perfectly. The Chelsea superstar has been in stunning goalscoring form having already scored an impressive 7 goals this season.
Also read: Eden Hazard named PFA fans' Player of the Month
With Hazard being given more freedom this season, he looks much more like the player who won the PFA Player of the Year award in 2015 and Conte will be hoping that his star playmaker continues his good form this season.
The video below shows Eden Hazard’s best skills in a Chelsea shirt:
#1 Philippe Coutinho
Roberto Firmino, Saido Mane and Phillipe Coutinho. The front three of the Reds have been creating havoc in the Premier League and Coutinho has been a major reason for the Red’s rise to the top of the Premier League table.
Capable of the spectacular and a perfect fit under Jurgen Klopp, Coutinho’s stellar performances have seen him linked to both Real Madrid and Barcelona already and Liverpool will face a tough fight to keep the ridiculously talented Brazilian at Merseyside in the future. Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren even said:
“In my opinion, he’s the best player in the league at the moment,”
Also read: Zinedine Zidane tells Real Madrid hierarchy to get Philippe Coutinho
Coutinho’s stats show clearly that he is the best playmaker at the moment. 5 goals scored, 5 assists, 30 chances created and 8 interceptions show just how important the Brazilian magician is to Jurgen Klopp.
Although it was a close fight between Coutinho, Hazard and De Bruyne, the little Brazilian is the best ‘number 10’ in the Premier League at the moment.
Note: Players have been ranked according to their current form in the Premier League
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