The simplest of moves can make all the difference in the beautiful game of football: a well-timed pass matters a lot. The art of passing has become a science in the Premier League, as teams use complex tactics to outmaneuver opponents and control possession.
Passing has been the lifeblood of contemporary football, from Jurgen Klopp’s (the former coach of Liverpool) high-intensity press at Liverpool to Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka mastery at Manchester City. However, what constitutes a truly outstanding passing game for a team?
The top 12 passers in Premier League history will be ranked in this article.
12. Cazorla, Santi
It’s entertaining to observe the ever-smiling Santi Cazorla was unique in that he could make beautiful passes with both his left and right feet. He created opportunities for his teammates left, right, and center and was a nightmare for defenders to handle. Few people were capable of what he was.
Although the Spaniard’s latter years with Arsenal were marred by injuries, his outstanding passing was a major factor in his status as one of England’s top midfielders for a while. Nevertheless, it was encouraging to see his career take off in Spain after leaving the Emirates.
11. Gerrard Stephen
Gerrard’s position at the top of the passing table (15,108) is hardly surprising given that he was the beating heart of Liverpool for 17 years at Anfield. He is also the most accurate of the three (82.74%) and rarely mishandled a pass. Despite leaving the build-up phase to finish off goals during his time as a second striker, Lampard still managed to record an outstanding quantity (13,274) and tended to be accurate (81.75%).
In the current period, possession hasn’t been Manchester United’s strongest suit, and Fernandes has made a few poor passes. Even though he ranks third in both situations, he still finds his man the majority of the time (78.25%), making him the club’s best passer (8,688).
10. Bergkamp, Dennis
Dennis Bergkamp, a hero for Arsenal, was able to see passes that others missed. Over the years, he repeatedly proved that he could do magic with the ball at his feet. Over the years, the Dutchman scored some truly amazing goals, but his passing was equally, if not more, impressive.
When Bergkamp was in England, no one was doing what he was doing, and his impact on the Gunners during his tenure was evident. Simply an all-time great
9. Lampard, Frank
Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer, was largely responsible for their attacking supremacy in the 2000s and 2010s. “Super Frank,” who thrived in a variety of positions, including box-to-box midfielder and higher up in the number 10 position, was crucial during Jose Mourinho’s initial tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard ranks sixth in the Premier League’s all-time goalscoring charts with 177 goals in 611 league games, leading the league in goals scored. He surpasses Fernandes (54 in 162) and Gerrard (120 in 504). Despite playing in the English top flight for a somewhat shorter period of time than the other two, the Manchester United captain has shaded goals per 90 minutes (0.33).
8. David Beckham
It’s time for a whole new generation to recognize his exceptional playmaking abilities. In addition to being a superb ball distributor, he was arguably the greatest crosser and free-kick taker of the Premier League era.
It was nearly impossible for opponents to predict where he would take the ball because some of his passes were just exceptional. During Beckham’s tenure in the Premier League, United’s success was greatly influenced by his ability to find anyone.
7. Fabregas Cesc
The next player with the most assists throughout the Premier League era is Cesc Fabregas. You could create a highlight video of some of the amazing passes the Spaniard made during his stint in England, as he assisted 111 league goals with Arsenal and Chelsea combined. He gained a reputation as one of the world’s greatest playmakers, and with good reason.
With his splitting passes, Fabregas was unmatched at breaking down defenses, and it was always exciting to watch when he hit the field for the Gunners or the Blues.
6. Alonso Xabi
Third in our list of the best passers in Premier League history is Xabi Alonso, who was a member of Liverpool from 2004 to 2009. Alonso could do it all, whether it was a short pass or a ball that sailed 40 yards. He frequently made even the most challenging passes appear easy.
His playmaking and passing skills were what set him apart from the other midfield players in England during his tenure at Anfield, but it wasn’t all he was capable of.
5. Silva, David
The best player in the history of Manchester City. David Silva was an expert at finding space between lines and then sending passes to Sergio Aguero and company up front that were precisely weighted. He could make any pass, and with him in the starting lineup, City was a far more formidable team.
Silva consistently opened defenses with his exceptional passing skills, and the Cityzens could always count on him to deliver something exceptional when it counted most, even in the most difficult games.
4. Scholes, Paul
Many football fans will contend that Paul Scholes, a master at the ball, ought to be at the top of this list, and it’s very reasonable to think so. Because of his exquisite passing, the Man Utd star would set the pace of Premier League games.
Scholes, who spent twenty years at Old Trafford, was a master at choosing the right pass to make and is still unjustly underappreciated in certain quarters. He maintained this brilliance till the very end of his career, making him a top Premier League player until he made the decision to hang up his boots.
3. Giggs, Ryan
Because of his speed, talent, and wing delivery, Ryan Giggs, who has 244 assists, is still regarded as a legend at Manchester United. Giggs’ ability to blend pace and accuracy made his passing special. His left-wing crosses, which were expertly weighted and sent into hazardous areas for strikers to exploit, posed a continual threat.
Giggs’ ability to dribble allowed him to go past opponents and open up space for his passes, frequently from awkward angles. His ability to see allowed him to make snap decisions and identify colleagues with extreme precision. Giggs also showed a tremendous grasp of the game and the movements of his teammates by being able to execute through balls that broke down defenses.
2. De Bruyne, Kevin
Kevin De Bruyne’s amazing skill to pass. On the field, the Belgian midfielder has continuously dazzled with his accuracy, range, and vision. We will examine the nuances of De Bruyne’s passing approach in this piece, as well as how he has developed into one of the game’s best passers.
De Bruyne’s stats, which include an incredible 227 assists across all competitions, are self-evident. His career has been distinguished by his ability to find a teammate with a pass that is precisely weighted, and his reliability speaks much about his commitment and talent.
What distinguishes De Bruyne from his contemporaries, then? To learn the keys to his success, let’s examine his passing style, vision, and decision-making in more detail. At the moment, he is the Premier League’s finest passer.
1. Mesut Ozil
On the field, Mesut Ozil is a creative genius known for his inventive and distinctive passing style. He is unmatched in his ability to spot teammates running and make precise, accurate passes.
Ozil had a lasting impression on the beautiful game during his time with Real Madrid and Arsenal, where he displayed his extraordinary skills. He contributed significantly to Real Madrid’s La Liga triumph in 2011–2012 by giving Cristiano Ronaldo and other teammates a number of assists.
There were many brilliant moments throughout his tenure at Arsenal, notably his crucial contribution to the team’s FA Cup victory in 2014, which ended the team’s trophy drought. Ozil received three German Player of the Year awards as well as other individual honors for his vision and inventiveness.
His playmaking skills were essential to the team’s victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which served as the high point of his international career with Germany. Despite facing criticism and challenges later in his career, Ozil’s legacy as one of the most gifted playmakers of his generation remains intact. His ability to unlock defenses with his passing and his flair for the spectacular make him a player who will be remembered for years to come.
