England’s top five most creative players this season

Gareth Southgate has plenty of creative options to choose from in his World Cup squad this year and we’ve looked into England’s most creative outlets this season.

We’ve gathered England’s top five most creative players, ranked by shot-creating actions. 

5. Trent Alexander-Arnold 

Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t had much of a look in when it comes to the England squad, despite his creative numbers being elite. 

There’s no doubt that he hasn’t had the best start to the season as he has been caught out a few times defensively. 

Going forward, there aren’t many full-backs that have the range of passes that Alexander-Arnold has in his locker though. 

In the Premier League this season he has completed 24 shot-creating actions at an average of 4.5 per 90. His creative numbers rank above the likes of Reece James and Kieran Trippier although their strengths lie in different areas. 

Alexander-Arnold has completed 93 passes which have travelled over 30 yards, which is more than any other player on today’s list. 

He is excellent at switching the play and delivering accurate crosses into the box. 

4. Bukayo Saka 

Bukayo Saka’s goalscoring numbers haven’t quite been at the level they were last season, but his creative numbers have jumped up. 

The Arsenal winger has completed 25 shot-creating actions and has four assists so far this season. 

Saka has averaged two key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game.  

His versatility makes him a useful player within the England set-up, but there’s no doubt that his best position is on the right-hand side. 

Last season he scored 11 goals and registered seven assists in his best goalscoring season to date. 

3. Phil Foden 

It still seems as if England are yet to get the best out of Phil Foden, but he continues to shine for Man City. 

The 22-year-old has completed 25 shot-creating actions at an average of 4.27 per 90. 

Foden averages 1.6 key passes and takes 1.4 shots per game on average for City. 

He has already chipped in with four goal contributions this season in the Premier League and he has also scored in the Champions League. 

England’s system doesn’t seem to get the best out of Foden though and his place in the starting 11 is still very much up for debate. 

2. Harry Kane 

Harry Kane is pretty much the complete package as a striker.  

This season he has scored six goals from an xG of 4.7 and he has also been one of the league’s most creative players. 

Kane has evolved his game over the years and we now regularly see him dropping into midfield to start counter attacks and build-up the play. 

The England captain has completed 26 shot-creating actions this season at an average of 3.79 per 90, which is staggeringly good for a striker. 

In his last two Premier League season’s Kane has a total of 23 assists as well as 40 goals. 

Kane’s consistency for club and country cannot be questioned and he is now closing in on breaking Wayne Rooney’s goalscoring record for England. 

1. Jack Harrison 

Claiming the number one spot as England’s most creative player this season is Leeds United’s Jack Harrison. 

The Leeds United winger has completed 27 shot-creating actions, which is more than any other English player in Europe’s top five leagues. 

Harrison also averages three key passes and 2.3 dribbles per game. To show for his creative numbers, he has three assists this season as well as a goal. 

He produced his best numbers in 2020/21 where he got 16 goal contributions in the Premier League and he is on his way to matching that tally this season. 

Despite his promising numbers, he was overlooked from England’s latest squad and is unlikely to make the cut for the World Cup squad.