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"You have to make the passes, extra pass over an extra pass on top of another extra pass. Without the ball, you just run, but with the ball, you play the game" -- Pep Guardiola describing the importance of passing in his style of play, and how important it is.
From a foundation set up by the Spanish giants Barcelona, passing has been a very important factor in modern football. Possession football, as most of the pundits like to name it, rotating the ball all over the pitch is one of the best ways to find the necessary opportunity, as with a limited time of only 90 minutes, the players need to find themselves well aligned and watch the next person whom they are going to deliver the ball to. Be it a small pass delivered in the midfield line, or the crucial inter-plays and through-balls that a forward needs in order to dominate a particular game, possession is where it all starts and where it ends.
Legends like Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, and Guti are known as some of the most intelligent passing geniuses the sport has ever seen. The modern generation, and especially the Premier League, have delivered a spectrum of players, who are traditionally the 'opportunity finders', so as we call them, and never leave a chance to thrill us all by being creative not just in the midfield, but also up front.
With the season entering its third month, the teams are lining up in order to deliver the most spectacular display of possession football, but our top 5 picks for the most important passers in the league have said a different story.
Here's a look at the 5 most creative passers of the Premier League 2018-19 season:
#5 Nemanja Matic - Manchester United
With a move to the Old Trafford the very last season, the Manchester United fans were thrilled to welcome one of the most reputed and challenging midfielders in the world. The Serbian International hasn't had the success that we were expecting with the Red Devils, but that does not cover up the fact that his intelligence as a playmaker delivers composure and consistency for his team. As a holding midfielder, Matic has a lot on his plate. Be it the defensive issues or creating opportunities, the 6'4" Serbian never really disappoints.
A tactician in every means, Matic is surely one of the best passers in the league. With an unbelievable patience and experience, Matic's leadership qualities and his ability to be a box-to-box midfielder are well justified.
#4 Granit Xhaka - Arsenal
The Swiss-born midfielder of Albanian descent has had a not-so-successful time with the Gunners, but his last season with Arsenal ended up with him completing almost 3500 passes in the league. Xhaka may be underrated, but it does not change the fact that he is one of the most creative passers in the tournament. Creating opportunities for players like Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette, Xhaka is a midfielder with tons of undiscovered skills.
Most of the analysts and pundits have criticized the Swiss maestro for his unethical behaviour, and have called him a 'fit in' (a player who is only there to complete the starting XI), but his role in the team, and especially under the realm of Unai Emery, has changed completely, as Arsenal's current form justifies his doings.
#3 Naby Keita - Liverpool
His arrival at Anfield was filled with hopes, expectations, and insight to a beginning of another era, as the Guinean international put on the legendary number 8 shirt for his new team. Certainly, Keita has delivered it all without failing in any terms. Forming an alliance with his holding midfielder Gini Wijnaldum and the much experienced James Milner, Keita's creativity as a passer and as a pivot for his team has had a much larger impact on the Liverpool side.
Their current unbeaten run in the league is a result of all the opportunities created by their very important midfielder, and of course, the good news for Liverpool is that he is here to stay.
#2 David Silva - Manchester City
Though Kevin De Bruyne was a very obvious choice when it came to this selection, David Silva was a much obvious contender in terms of being a consistent and creative passer. Silva's background as a Valencia player has given him the sensibility to create the plays using possession in everything that he does. Holding the ball to his own terms and developing the most important plays for Manchester City, David Silva is surely one of the most important midfielders that City have in their vault.
Originally a left winger, Silva's transition over the years into a natural number 10 has made him one of the most feared football players in the world.
#1 Jorginho - Chelsea
Sarri's very first signing, the italian International has proven to be a very important asset for the dominating Chelsea side. Leading in the number of passes this very season, Jorginho's passing ability is an important factor for the Blues. A natural central holding midfielder, the former Napoli player has deployed possession football by being a pillar for his team. Providing through balls and delivering aerial passes to the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian, Jorginho is certainly transforming into the most important player that Chelsea have.
With an eye for the ball, and a holding midfielder in the making, the Chelsea number 5 is just getting better with every single game that he plays.
