The most prolific dribblers in Europe’s Top Five Leagues

These are the players who get fans onto their feet and bring excitement every time they receive the ball

A common criticism of modern football is that it is ‘over-coached’. The theory goes that there is such a heavy focus on tactical systems and ensuring players carry out their rigid instructions from their coaches that exciting individual players are dying out, to be replaced by ‘system players’. 

However, there are still many players who are not limited to playing passing triangles and making off the ball runs. They want the ball to their feet and to run at opposition players at every single opportunity.

This article isn’t about whether or not that particular theory is correct, but the players listed below are certainly individuals that create excitement in the stands whenever they have the ball. They are the most prolific dribblers in Europe’s Top Five leagues to have played a minimum 900 minutes this season. 

 

Kamaldeen Sulemana

The young Ghanaian attempted more dribbles per 90 than any other player in our data set in 21/22. After joining Rennes from Denmark’s Norsdjaelland, he was in his debut season in a top league and thoroughly impressed in Ligue 1 as he tormented defences by attempting 8.05 dribbles per 90 with a success rate of 54.9%. 

As well as that, he scored four goals and made three assists, which is a decent return for his first season at the level, considering he missed half the season with a back injury. He could explode for Rennes next season.

 

Vinicius Jr

The most high-profile player on this list, Vinicius Jr has been terrifying fullbacks in La Liga since arriving in Spain but this season he has gone up a level. He has attempted 7.37 dribbles per 90, completing 44.9% of those. 

However, the leap in his goals and assists, alongside his consistently excellent dribbling has been the real story as he has scored 21 goals and made 20 assists for Real Madrid in all competitions in 21/22.

 

Allain Saint-Maximin

Next, is perhaps every neutral’s favourite player to watch in the Premier League. Newcastle United’s mercurial Frenchman had arguably his best season since coming to the English top flight as he added more end product to his game, when previous lack thereof had always been a criticism against him. 

He’s always been an extremely prolific dribbler but this season he averaged 7.37 dribbles per 90 and is the most difficult for defenders to stop, with a success rate of 60.9%. Once the winger gets up to speed carrying the ball, he is so difficult to stop and defenders tend to be hoping that he’ll run out of road before managing to get a shot or pass away. 

 

Samuel Chukwueze

The Villareal forward made a big splash this season as he scored the goal to eliminate Bayern Munich from the Champions League. However, the 23-year-old hasn’t contributed goals at a high rate, scoring only six more times over the rest of the season. 

His contributions have more often been beating opponents with the ball. His 7.3 dribbles attempted ranks him fourth in our data set and third for success rate with 53.7%. 

 

Soufiane Boufal

The former Southampton man now plays for Angers in France and he has been one of their most important players, scoring eight and assisting five as the team delivered a respectable 14th place finish. 

The 28-year-old Morrocan’s directness was a vital part of Angers attack, as he attempted 7.1 dribbles per 90 and completed 51.6% of those. 

 

Notable Absentees

On any list of prolific dribblers, one would usually expect to find PSG stars, Neymar, Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappe. However, none of these three have averaged seven dribbles per 90. Neymar is the closest to being included with 6.8, whilst Messi comes in at 44th with only 4.52 attempts per 90. This is a sign of the Argentine’s game changing as even just last season he would have only just missed out on our top five with an average of 6.82.