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Scoring free-kicks is one of the most beautiful sights in football. Luckily for the Premier League, they have played host their fair share of dead-ball magicians.
While David Beckham was leaps and bounds over every other free-kick taker in his time, there are a few players in the league, at the moment, who could challenge the free-kick maestro for his position at the top. We look at the 7 best free-kick scorers in the Premier League right now.
#7 Willian Borges - 4 goals
Willian is arguably one of the greatest South American dead-ball specialists to play in the Premier League. Teams always knew they were in trouble once Willian has had his sights on goal. A relatively short run-up, a wicked bend, and off it went into the top corner.
In his last season at Chelsea, the Brazilian was one of the leading free-kick goalscorers in the top 5 leagues in Europe. Willian, though, has surprisingly scored just four free-kicks in the Premier League. A number that doesn't in any way reflect the deadly nature of his free-kicks.
#6 James Maddison - 4 goals
This a player who is likely to go up the list in the future. James Maddison is one of the best young free-kick takers in the country. The former Norwich man has already scored four from just two seasons.
In fact, 4 of his 14 Premier League goals have come from free-kicks. If not for his injury troubles last season, the attacking midfielder would've been higher up the list.
When you draw inspiration from David Beckham and have a similar technique to the legendary free-kick taker, you are bound to be good.
#5 James Milner - 4 goals
It's been a really long time since we have seen James Milner taking free-kicks in the Premier League. The presence of Philippe Coutinho in his early days at Liverpool and the emergence of Trent-Alexander Arnold has seen the midfielder going down the pecking order, when it comes to free-kicks, at the club.
However, people tend to forget the player's expertise when it comes to free-kicks. Usually, tasked with taking deeper free-kicks, Milner has at times proven himself to be lethal. His short yet powerful run has seen quite a few goalkeepers beaten for precision.
The Liverpool midfielder has scored four free-kicks in his career. The former England international, though, last scored from a dead-ball situation during his debut season for Liverpool against his old club Aston Villa.
#4 Robert Snodgrass - 6 goals
Robert Snodgrass is one of the least-discussed and most underrated free-kick takers in the Premier League now. The former Scotland international made his name in the game with his prowesses in dead-ball situations.
Blessed with a fine left-foot, Snodgrass's ability to put a wicked whip on the ball has made him one of the most feared dead-ball specialists in the Premier League. The 'Bunion Bhaji' has scored six free-kick goals in his Premier League career. However, the winger has not scored a free-kick in the league in more than three seasons.
#3 Gylfi Sigurdsson - 7 goals
The Iceland international racked up free-kicks in the Championship and Bundesliga before joining the Premier League. Nicknamed the Viking Virtuoso, Sigurdsson is never shy about taking chances from either side of the field. Known for his pinpoint accuracy, the attacking midfielder's goal against Manchester United stands out as a prime example.
The Iceland international has scored seven free-kick goals in the Premier League, all of them coming during his time with Swansea City. Sigurdsson, though, hasn't scored a Premier League free-kick in more than three seasons.
#2 Juan Mata - 8 goals
There are not many players around with the same technical quality as Juan Mata. Despite being in his early 30s, Mata is still one of the most sound technicians in the Premier League.
His short two-step free-kick and immaculate accuracy have been one of his signatures. Mata has scored eight free-kicks in the Premier League with most of them coming for Manchester United. His free-kicks against Southampton and Newcastle United are some of the best in his career.
#1 James Ward-Prowse - 8 goals
The 26-year-old is the best free-kick taker in the Premier League at the moment. Ward-Prowse was on point during Saints' match against Aston Villa as the midfielder scored two sumptuous free-kicks to help Saints win the fixture.
The midfielder made a name for himself from dead-ball situations. His deliveries from corners are some of the best in the business. Ward-Prowse, though, is a long-way from Premier League's record holder David Beckham, who sits comfortably atop the list with 18 stunners.
