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The Premier League has been well-known for producing some of the best football over the past decade. The best coaches, the best players, and the richest people in the world are stakeholders in this league. Hence, it is no wonder that the quality keeps increasing year-on-year.
One aspect behind it is the number of goals scored by Premier League teams over the course of a season. This number has only risen due to increase in the number of chief creators.
Crossing the ball has become an integral element of goal-creation in the Premier League
The game has developed to an extent that attackers are not sole goal creators anymore. Full-backs and even deep lying midfielders have started to play a crucial role in creating chances, and a key element of that is crossing the ball.
These creators use different techniques and types of crosses to give their strikers the best chance of scoring. It could be a pacy delivery in the six-yard box or a looped up delivery to the back post. Regardless, it is an innate talent to deliver a successful cross in the box.
On that note, let's take a look at the five players with the most successful crosses in the box in the Premier League this season (2021-22).
Note: Players who have attempted less than 60 crosses are not considered.
#5 Trent Alexander-Arnold (30.57%)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is arguably one of the best players in the Premier League at the moment.
Under manager Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have produced some scintillating football in the last five years, and they have continued to do so this season. The Reds have outscored everybody but Manchester City in the top-flight this term and a huge reason for that is their English right-back.
Crossing the ball from the right-hand side has been somewhat of a trade-mark for Alexander-Arnold and the way he gets the ball to curve is sensational.
He has been a given a more attacking role in recent seasons, and it is no surprise why he has attempted 157 crosses this term. However, the 23-year-old delivers the ball into a dangerous area rather than targeting a particular individual. This is perhaps why only 48 of his crosses have been successful, garnering a 30.57% success rate.
This does not necessarily mean he has been poor at them since he has provided nine assists so far in the league. He is joint-top in that regard with team-mate Mohamed Salah.
Klopp will be expecting his young full-back to continue to provide threatening crosses, after which he could soon make it to the top of this list.
#4 Mason Mount (30.58%)
Mason Mount has had yet another eye-catching campaign for Chelsea in the Premier League this season. The Englishman has been the heartbeat of the Blues this season through his intense pressing, link-up play and creative influx.
The 23-year-old is the set-piece taker for the London club and has provided some beautiful deliveries into the box this season. It is no surprise that the reigning European champions have scored so many goals from corners this season.
However, the Chelsea academy graduate is just as useful in open play. He often prefers running till the end of the touchline and crossing into the penalty box. But unlike Alexander-Arnold, Mount whips in low crosses and often directs them towards a particular teammate. This has led to him recording a success rate of 30.58% from 85 attempted crosses.
Mount has been pivotal for Chelsea in competing in the league this season. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be hoping his innate creator continues to produce such numbers.
#3 Andros Townsend (31.76%)
Andros Townsend has arguably been the best signing of this Premier League campaign for Everton this season.
The Toffees have not fared well this season as they are only six points ahead of relegation-battling clubs. Much of it can be narrowed down to the absence of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a long period due to injury. The service has been incredible this season and one can only wonder how many goals the Englishman would've scored from them.
Although Demarai Gray is a surging presence from the wings, Townsend has had an eye for defence-splitting passes in the Premier League. The former Tottenham Hotspur ace has been a consistent figure on the right-wing this season. He often cuts back onto his favored left foot to deliver pin-point crosses into the box.
In the absence of Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison has had to deal with most aerial deliveries into the box. Townsend has attempted 85 crosses this season and 27 of them have reached a teammate with a 31.76% success rate.
With Calvert-Lewin's recent return to the team, Townsend's cross could potentially lead to more goals for the Toffees.
#2 Pascal Gross (34.14%)
Pascal Gross hasn't had the best season at Brighton and Hove Albion this term but his eye for a pass is still better than most. The midfielder has been responsible for linking up play between the defense and the frontline but also often drifts into crossing positions.
Striker Neal Maupay is a great header of the ball while the Seagulls also make it a point to crowd the penalty box when going forward. This bodes well for Gross, who is two-footed, making him a huge threat on the wings.
Unlike most players on the list, the 30-year-old ace crosses from diagonal positions and curves the ball into his teammates. This makes it really hard for defenders to clear the ball as a bad touch could put the ball into the back of their own net.
In doing so, the Brighton star has achieved a 34.14% success rate. He has provided 28 successful deliveries into the box out of the 82 he has attempted so far.
Brighton will be hoping his attackers can get to the end of more of Gross' crosses over the course of this Premier League campaign.
#1 Conor Gallagher (37.68%)
Conor Gallagher has been nothing short of brilliant for Crystal Palace this season. The Chelsea loanee has by far been the best player at the South London club and his attacking input has been key for the Eagles.
The English international has worked his socks off this season, playing in a three-man midfield and contributing in all areas of the pitch. Like Gross, Gallagher too picks up intelligent crossing positions.
The 21-year-old is often in diagonal areas outside the penalty box and delivers the ball with shape and zest. The fact that Palace have Jordan Ayew, Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard as strikers bodes well for the young playmaker.
So far, the youngster has attempted 69 crosses in 17 appearances. Out of them, 26 have found the intended target, thereby garnering a success rate of 37.68%. These numbers mean that the loanee has been the best crosser in the Premier League so far.
Unfortunately, Palace manager Patrick Vieira might have to let go of the youngster at the end of the campaign. Gallagher's parent club Chelsea shall reap the fruits of his talent next season. Until then, the French manager shall try to churn out as much creativity as possible from the bustling midfielder.
