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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are cruising towards another Ligue 1 title this season with the French giants taking a 11-point lead over second-placed OGC Nice. Significant credit for their domination this year goes to the midfielders who have stepped up their game compared to last season.
LOSC Lille won the Ligue 1 title last season with their midfielders putting on an impressive showing and PSG have learnt their lesson. Their passing has been much more progressive and tidier this time around. The French giants have also been better off this season thanks to goals from midfield.
PSG have made seamless transition from back to front with their crisp passing
Under manager Mauricio Pochettino there has been significant improvement in the performances of a few players. Most of them have at least gotten comfortable with the ball at their feet and we have witnessed intelligent distribution from PSG players.
That has benefitted the team in their intentions to launch quick counter-attacks and play well with opposition teams pressing high. On that note, here are the five best passers at PSG right now.
Note: All the stats have been taken from Fbref.
#5 Ander Herrera
A player loved at Manchester United, Ander Herrera has not done much wrong in his time as a PSG player. He has been used as a utility player in midfield, sometimes in a defensive role and sometimes in a more offensive role. He has comfortably carried out his instructions in either role.
The Spaniard's quick passing has helped the team transition quicker and develop counter-attacks faster. Herrera's movement without the ball has been spot-on as well, due to which he has himself scored four goals this season.
The former Manchester United player is being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in a swap deal with Tanguy Ndombele in January. However, the Spaniard is not interested in moving to the north London club. With his current form, we doubt the French giants would want him to leave mid-season.
#4 Marco Verratti
A name that comes as no surprise to anyone who remotely watches PSG or the Italian national team. Marco Verratti has been supremely essential in midfield for both club and country. The 29-year-old brings a great balance to the side and keeps midfield ticking at all times.
He often emerges as the outlet for players to pass the ball to and links up the play well, bringing other teammates into the game. Verratti's ball-carrying prowess and his ability to retain possession under pressure has been crucial for PSG for so many years.
Despite being in and out of the team due to injuries, he has delivered assuring displays on the pitch this season.
#3 Achraf Hakimi
PSG signed Achraf Hakimi for €66.50m from Inter Milan in 2021 and they knew it was a deal that would start paying dividends immediately. The right-back has been one of the brightest sparks in Ligue 1 and in his team despite playing with so many superstars.
He operates almost like a playmaker even though he's usually not so central on the pitch, thanks to his vision and passing range. Hakimi loves to bomb forward at the first opportunity but with his impressive pace is quick to track back. The Moroccan plays give-and-go football with the midfield and is always eager to join in the final-third.
The PSG fullback has three goals and three assists in Ligue 1 already this season and will hope to add to his tally. Quite clearly, Hakimi is definitely among the best fullbacks in world football right now.
#2 Presnel Kimpembe
There are rumors going around that French defender Presnel Kimpembe feels unsettled at PSG these days. He believes that he deserves a higher package than the one he is currently on and there can be little doubts about it.
The centre-back has been a regular starter for the Ligue 1 giants and has rarely sat out. Over time he has become one of the fan favorites after having risen through the ranks at PSG itself. The left-footed defender is a physically imposing figure and brings good intensity to the side.
Kimpembe's progressive passing rate is not the greatest, however he has the tendency to play rather safe and avoids making risky passes. He has completed the third-most passes in Ligue 1 with a success rate of 96.9 percent.
#1 Marquinhos
Only Marco Verratti has been at the club longer than Marquinhos, who was signed back in 2013 from AS Roma. Since then, the Brazilian has cemented his reputation as a reliable centre-back, a leader and proudly wears the armband.
He has often played as a defensive midfielder at various points in his career. This is partly down to his distribution and how comfortable he is with the ball at his feet. Marquinhos' calm demanor and reading of the game has allowed him to build play from the back.
The Brazilian does not play a lot of sideways passes and is more inclined towards progressing the play. He continues to be a rock-solid figure at the heart of the PSG defense and is always a threat in set-piece situations.
