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When goalscorers get all the attention in football these days, playmakers silently do their job of creating chances. Clubs like Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain possesses some of the greatest creative talents in world football.
Players like Christian Eriksen, Cesc Fabregas, Lorenzo Insigne, Antonio Candreva, Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho, Isco, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, David Silva and, Ivan Perisic are some of the best creative players plying their trade in Europe’s top leagues at the moment.
Players from only Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue One are included in this analysis.
On that note, let’s take a look at the 5 most creative players in Europe's top 5 leagues this season.
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#5 Philipp Max, Augsburg
Chances created per game - 2.81
Philipp Max has been a revelation in Bundesliga this season. Playing for Augsburg, the 24-year-old has scored one goal and provided 11 assists in Bundesliga this campaign. Augsburg is currently 8th in the Bundesliga standings, thanks to the stunning performances of Philipp Max.
Max is one the best left-backs in world football at the moment. The German national has created a total of 73 chances in 26 Bundesliga appearances, which comes down to 2.81 chances per game.
Max's marauding runs down the flank along with inch-perfect crosses, and accurate set-piece deliveries, make him an important player for the German club. He is touted to be the future of German football and he has the time on his side to make it big.
#4 Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
Chances created per game - 3.12
136 assists in 356 competitive appearances, Mesut Ozil is truly the ‘King of Assists’ in modern day football. The 29-year-old is one of the best playmakers in the world right now. He is definitely in the top 3 in Premier League, when it comes to creating chances.
The Gunners star has scored 5 times and assisted 10 more in all competitive games for Arsenal this season. Though Arsenal is having a poor season, performances of Mesut Ozil shows no signs of wearing down.
The ex-Real Madrid star has created a total of 78 chances in 25 Premier League games this season, which equates to 3.12 chances per game. The astonishing stats here is, that the Germany international averages 3.1 chances created per game in his entire career. Simply phenomenal.
#3 Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City
Chances created per game - 3.17
Chelsea fans look away. The ex-Chelsea midfielder is having a stunning season with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has transformed Kevin de Bruyne into a world-class midfielder.
The 26-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted 18 more in all competitive games for Manchester City this season. Thanks to the brilliance of de Bruyne, the Cityzens are currently sitting on top of the Premier League table and also qualified for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League 2017/18.
The Belgian has created a total of 95 chances in 30 Premier League appearances this season, which comes down to 3.17 chances per game. The Manchester City playmaker has provided 42 assists in just 93 Premier League games and is only behind Mezut Ozil in terms of total Premier League assists.
#2 Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain
Chances created per game - 3.55
The Brazilian is having a successful campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. Ever since his €222 million world record move to the French capital during the summer of 2017, Neymar has been in stunning form.
The 26-year-old has scored 28 goals and assisted 16 more in all competitive games for PSG this season. When it comes to creating chances for his teammates, the Brazilian is only 0.03 behind Dimitri Payet in chances created per game.
Neymar has created 71 goalscoring chances this season, which equates to 3.55 chances per game in Ligue One. He also created 3.3 chances per game in UEFA Champions League 2017/18. Exceptional.
#1 Dimitri Payet, Marseille
Chances created per game - 3.58
The ex-Hammers star is surprisingly the most creative player in Europe this season. Moved to Marseille in January 2017, Payet has been a key part of the Marseille squad this season.
The Frenchman has scored 6 goals and assisted 11 more in all competitions for Marseille this campaign. Marseille is currently third in the Ligue One standings and looking good to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
The 30-year-old has created a total of 86 chances in 24 Ligue One appearances this season, which equates to 3.58 chances per game in Ligue One. Dimitri Payet averages 10 assists a season, ever since his debut campaign in 2009/10. He has made a total of 85 assists in his career. Payet is an expert in set pieces and can chip in with important goals.
