Top 5 Players Who Have Made The Most Passes In The Premier League So Far This Season

David Tully

6 months ago

Categories: Galleries, West Ham United News

Tags: Arsenal, aston villa, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Southampton, Spurs, West Ham, Wolves

With the Premier League having adopted a more continent style of play over the years, it means more and more passes are being made in English top-flight games.

The days of hoofing the ball long to a target man are long gone, with intricate and considered build-up play the order of the day.

Looking at the list, it is interesting to note that four of our top five are centre-backs, which gives us an indication that teams do rely on their defenders to start attacks.

Press the next page as we name the players who have made the most passes in the league this campaign.

5) Axel Disasi (Chelsea) – 905 Passes

The Frenchman is one of two Chelsea centre-halves on this list which can be interpreted one of two ways.

Either Pochettino’s expansive style of play is beginning to take shape, with the defenders also playing their part, or they are spending too long passing the ball sideways across the back four.

Considering that the Blues are 10th in the table, some pundits and fans may be leaning towards the latter interpretation at the moment.

Disasi has been picked to start matches regularly since his arrival from Monaco in the summer, so that’s why his passing numbers are so high. Pochettino has clearly taken a shine to him.

4) Thiago Silva (Chelsea) – 961 Passes

The Brazilian is spending a great deal of time on the ball this season, along with his centre-back partner Disasi.

Chelsea have averaged 60% possession in their 12 games, which is the joint fourth most in the division, so Silva’s position on this list is not really that surprising.

The 39-year-old is usually very reliable when passing out from the back and Blues supporters will be pleased he is getting involved in the game.

As we mentioned when talking about Disasi, though, the jury is still out on whether Pochettino’s style of play will end up bearing fruit.

3) Rodri (Manchester City) – 999 Passes

The Spanish midfielder is clearly integral to how the Premier League champions play, with a great deal of the team’s attacks going through him.

Rodri’s importance was demonstrated when he missed three matches due to suspension earlier this season. City lost all three games.

In contrast, with him in the starting eleven, they have yet to lose, winning 13 and drawing just once.

Manager Pep Guardiola will, therefore, be hoping to keep Rodri on the pitch as much as possible.

2) William Saliba (Arsenal) – 1002 Passes

The 22-year-old has been in excellent form this season and some are already calling him the best centre-back in the Premier League.

Saliba’s composure is remarkable for a player who is still very young, and he has already demonstrated the ability to carry the ball out from the back and deliver pinpoint passes.

Combined with his strength, positioning and anticipation, the Frenchman really looks like the full package.

If he carries on with the performances that we have seen from him so far this campaign, he will be in contention for the Premier League Team of the Season.

1) Lewis Dunk (Brighton) – 1144 Passes

It sums up Roberto De Zerbi’s style of play that the Seagulls captain is right at the top of this list.

Dunk is an excellent defender, regardless of his passing ability, but he really has stepped up his game in possession since De Zerbi’s arrival.

Brighton’s game is all about baiting the opposition into pressing, so the ball is held in deep positions for extended periods.

It means Dunk is tasked with playing cat and mouse with opposing forwards and ensuring that his passes are not intercepted.