The best ball carriers in the Premier League

There are many aspects that makes a player so valuable, one of them being their ability to carry and advance the ball. Here are seven of the best players in the Premier League for exactly that.

Ball carrying players are some of the most valuable in football.

They can take a side on the backfoot up the pitch and suddenly make them the ones on the attack.

Looking at all the data, here are the Premier League players who are the best at it.

 

Allan Saint-Maximin

Many are anticipating an influx of very talented players at St James’ Park with the new owners, but one who could survive the turnover is ASM.

The Frenchman’s average carry distance of 14.22m is the highest in the Premier League, as is his average carry progress of 8.51m.

Most importantly, 64 of his carries have resulted in a chance being created, which is also the most in the division.

Saint-Maximin might be a frustrating player at times, but his ball carrying stands out above the rest.

 

Jack Grealish

Grealish made ball carrying into an art form when he was at Villa.

He would effortlessly come into possession in the middle of the park and end up on the edge of the opposition penalty area on numerous occasions.

Since moving to City, it’s been debatable whether he’s met expectations since signing for £100 million but his ball carrying continues to be brilliant.

22 carries per 90 minutes is the highest in the Premier League and 23 have ended with a key pass - the 2nd most in the division.

 

Mo Salah

It’s looking likely that Salah will win numerous awards for the season he’s had in front of goal and the data backs up how talented a player he is.

53 of his carries have resulted in a chance being created, the 2nd highest figure in the division. 

But most impressively, he’s got the most carries which have ended with a goal (6).

The Egyptian also boasts the highest number of carries resulting in a shot or an assist (37 and 4) - showing that when he does it, he means business.

 

Demarai Gray

The former Leicester winger has had a mixed first season in an Everton shirt but when he’s been on it, he’s been excellent.

Only Salah has managed more carries which have led to a goal (5), and he’s also 3rd for the most carries which have ended with a shot (32).

Only three players have carried the ball a further average distance than Gray as well (12.82m).

 

Son Heung-min

5 of Son’s carries this season have resulted in a goal, only Salah can boast better than that.

He’s also second for the average distance he’s carried the ball (12.89m) and is ranked 6th for total chance creating carries (42).

Add in the 22 goals he’s scored and this is the season where Son Heung-Min has become world-class.

 

Harry Kane

A big part of Son’s success this season has been down to his brilliant partnership with Harry Kane.

Sometimes criticised for coming too deep, he’s shown that he knows what he’s doing.

50 of his carries have led to a chance being created - 3rd most in the Premier League - and 30 have ended in a shot being taken, which only three players have bettered.

It’s surprising that only one of his carries have resulted in a goal but make no mistake, the England captain is an expert in the art.

 

Bukayo Saka

The 20-year-old is having a magical season and is getting better at an alarming rate.

Carrying the ball is just one part of his game where he’s excelled, with his average carry progress at 6.59m, the 6th highest in the Premier League.

Only three players have seen more chances created from their carries (48) and he’s third for the number which have led to a key pass.

He’s also amongst a group of 5 players whose carries have ended with an assist on 4 occasions - the most in the division.