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#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.
