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The objective in football is to score goals by putting the ball in the back of the opposition's net. There are a number of ways of doing it. But the football pitch is quite big and there are 22 players involved.
So naturally, the most effective and efficient way of navigating the length of the field is to move the ball around by passing it to teammates. That's why every team needs players who are technically proficient. At the highest level of the game, you need master technicians who can manipulate space.
Players who can find their teammates no matter how difficult it might seem can prove to be the real difference makers. Usually, it is the holding midfielder's job to recycle possession and switch flanks. As a result, they end up playing a lot more passes than the rest of their teammates.
But systems change from team to team and in certain sides, the centre-backs will also need to shoulder the responsibility. Without further ado, let's take a look at five players with the most number of accurate passes in Europe's top 5 leagues in 2021.
#5 Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan) - 2558 passes
Marcelo Brozovic is Inter Milan's midfield engine. One of the most underrated footballers of his generation, Brozovic does the simple things so effectively that he often slips under the radar.
Usually deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, Inter Milan rely on Brozovic a lot to keep things ticking in midfield. His technique is immaculate and this enables him to play anywhere across midfield. Brozovic also shines in a box-to-box role and has drawn comparisons to the legendary Frank Lampard.
The 29-year-old played a key role in Inter Milan's Serie A triumph last season. He has played a total of 2558 accurate passes in the league this year. The Croatian international averages a pass every 77 seconds.
#4 Gian Marco Ferrari (Sassuolo) - 2689 passes
Sassuolo are renowned for developing some of the best technicians in the Italian top-flight. Sassuolo centre-back Gian Marco Ferrari has become a mainstay in their backline since 2018. He has started all 19 of I Neroverdi's Serie A games this season.
The 29-year-old is always switched on and is adept at making interceptions and blocks. He is also a threat from indirect set-pieces thanks to his height, leap and heading ability.
One of the strongest characteristics of Ferrari's game is his passing. He is excellent at passing the ball around and does occasionally even dictate play from deep by playing some excellent line-breaking passes.
Ferrari has played 2689 accurate passes in 2021. He averages a pass every 77 seconds this year.
#3 Rodri (Manchester City) - 2697 passes
Manchester City has been home to some world-class defensive midfielders in recent times. Rodri is the latest addition to that list. The Spaniard is one of the most technically proficient midfielders in the Premier League.
His sense of positioning, tactical intelligence, movement and passing are so exemplary that Manchester City don't need to use a double pivot in midfield. Rodri sweeps in front of his defence and helps recycle possession with ease.
He even slots into the backline when Manchester City are on the backfoot. But when the time is right for City to gallop ahead, Rodri will be there to play some exquisite passes. Rodri's pin-point passing is a big feature of his game.
He has played a total of 2697 accurate passes in 2021 and averages a pass every 66 seconds.
#2 Ruben Dias (Manchester City) - 2786 passes
It is worth noting that there are two Manchester City players on this list. Pep Guardiola's side is full of technically adept players who are excellent at holding onto the ball and passing it around. City signed young centre-back Ruben Dias from Benfica for a sum in the ballpark of €65 million in the summer of 2020.
Dias quickly became an undroppable member of the squad. He is one of the best centre-backs in Europe right now and played a starring role in City's Premier League triumph last season. He is only 24-years-old but is a very level-headed defender who doesn't dive into tackles or make rash decisions.
Dias is also excellent in possession. He plays a huge role in City playing out from the back comfortably. Dias has played a total of 2786 accurate passes in 2021 and averages a pass every 69 seconds.
#1 Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) - 2814 passes
Sergio Busquets is one of the best defensive midfielders of all time. The Spanish international might be way past his prime right now but he is still one of the best passers in Europe. Busquets has been wonderful in a holding role for Barcelona for more than a decade now.
He is excellent at creating space in midfield with his little body feints and quick turns. The veteran is hard to shake off the ball but his strongest attribute is his precise passing. He has the ability take out an array of opposition players by playing accurate vertical passes through to his forwards or attacking midfielders.
Busquets has played 2814 accurate passes in La Liga in 2021. He averages one every 67 seconds.
