The top 10 most creative Premier League players from open play

The Premier League's top 10 players ranked by live-ball passes that led to a shot attempt.

The Premier League is blessed with an abundance of creative players, but we’ve dived into the numbers to uncover who has been the very best of all this season. The stat used to rank the players will be completed live-ball passes that lead to a shot attempt, so chances created from set-pieces will not be taken into consideration.

 

10. Kevin De Bruyne
You might have expected to see De Bruyne a little bit higher on today’s list, but considering he’s only started 12 Premier League matches this season, he’s done well to get himself into the top 10. The Man City midfielder has produced 48 live-ball passes that have led to a shot attempt.

From these numbers, the Belgian has picked up two assists in the Premier League so far.

 

9. Bukayo Saka
Arsenal may not have been the most free-scoring of sides this season, but Bukayo Saka’s creative numbers have still been really impressive. He’s had 49 live-ball passes leading to a shot and has four assists to show for it.

 

8. Michail Antonio
Impressively, Michail Antonio makes it onto the list as the only recognised striker. The Jamaican forward is on track to have his best goalscoring season to date and his creative numbers have been really impressive alongside this.

He’s had 50 live passes leading to a shot and has picked up six assists to go alongside his eight goals so far.

 

7. Allan Saint-Maximin
Despite Newcastle producing just 21 goals this season, Allan Saint-Maximin has still managed to work himself into today’s top 10. The Frenchman has 50 shot-creating live-ball passes and three assists to show for it.

The winger also tops the list for completed dribbles this season with 91, highlighting his value to Eddie Howe’s side.

 

6. Joao Cancelo
Joao Cancelo is currently ranked among the best full-backs in world football and his creative numbers certainly backs that up. The Portuguese defender has 53 live-ball passes that lead to a shot attempt and has five assists from this.

 

5. Jack Grealish
Many people have scrutinised Jack Grealish’s £100million move to Manchester City this summer, but his underlying creative numbers still rank him among the Premier League’s best. Perhaps the perception is there because he only has two assists to his name this season, despite having 55 shot-creating live-ball passes.

 

4. Mohamed Salah
Arguably the best player in the world, Mohamed Salah has had an exceptional season so far as he currently sits as the league's top scorer with 16 goals. To go along with this, Salah also ranks second for assists with nine so far.

Although he’s not always thought about for his creative duties, the Egyptian winger has 56 live-ball passes leading to a shot and ranks alongside some of the best creative players in the league.

 

3. Trent Alexander-Arnold
As well as being a brilliant set-piece taker, Trent Alexander-Arnold is also a constant creative threat from open play. He has perfected the role of drifting into space on the right-hand side and is one of the best crossers of the ball in world football.

The Liverpool full-back leads the way for assists in the Premier League with 10 and he has produced 60 shot-creating live-ball passes. 

 

2. Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva has always been a valuable member of Pep Guardiola's side, but this season he’s taken his game to another level. The Portuguese playmaker is on track to have his best goalscoring season to date, having already scored seven goals.

Despite only registering one assist this season, Silva ranks second for the most shot-creating live-ball passes with 68.

 

1. Bruno Fernandes
A lot has been made of Bruno Fernandes this season and the role he has had to play since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival. Although he hasn’t quite matched his goalscoring output from last season, Bruno’s creative stats have remained impressive.

The Manchester United playmaker ranks first for the most live-ball passes leading to a shot with 70. As a result of this, he has five assists to his name this season.