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The emergence of data and statistics in football has placed more and more focus on the numbers accumulated by various top clubs.
Ball carrying is a key skill to have in football. Football is a simple game, where a team wins by outscoring the opposition. But in order to get the ball closer to the goal, one has to ensure the ball travels to the opposition box as quickly as possible.
Good ball carriers are able to evade pressure and progress the ball. These days, centre-backs are doing that more and more, as managers demand technically gifted defenders. Top-quality ball carriers do not come cheap, as evident by the prices clubs have paid for some of the players in this list.
On that note, here's a look at the five best ball carriers in world football at the moment.
#5 Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Adama Traore is the best dribbler in the Premier League, and is capable of creating huge problems to opposition defences when he gets going.
Traore's dominating physique and brisk pace, alongside his dribbling prowess, make him a dangerous opponent. The Spain international has been criticised for being inconsistent, but he has been one of Wolverhampton Wanderers' most important players in the Premier League.
Predominantly a winger, Traore has been utilised as a wing-back on occasion. The former Middlesbrough man, who joined Wolves for £18 million in 2018, has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur recently, which would see him reunite with former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
#4 Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Arguably the best full-back in the world at the moment, Achraf Hakimi has enjoyed a good start to his Paris Saint-Germain career.
A product of the Real Madrid academy, Hakimi made his name as one of the best young players in the world during his two-year loan spell with Borussia Dortmund. Inter Milan signed him last summer from Los Blancos for nearly £37 million, and the Morocco international was everpresent as Inter Milan won the Serie A title last season.
Due to financial constraints, the Nerazzurri were forced to sell him to Paris Saint-Germain for £54 million this summer. The 22-year-old is excellent offensively and technically gifted, and could be a starter for the Ligue 1 giants this decade.
You may also like: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Arsenal transfer news, Update on Harry Kane's future, and more.
#3 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi is yet to make his debut for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as fans continue to eagerly wait for his first appearance in the club's colours.
One of the greatest players to have played the game, Messi is a complete footballer. A phenomenal dribbler, a world-class creator and a prolific goalscorer, the 34-year-old has shown little signs of slowing down, and is only getting better with age.
Messi left Barcelona this month after his contract did not get renewed, and Paris Saint-Germain did well to acquire him on a free transfer. The Argentina international's arrival makes the Ligue 1 giants the favourites to win the Champions League this season.
#2 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain seemingly have a never-ending list of superstars in their squad, so much so that they are apparently willing to let go of Kylian Mbappe this summer.
Neymar is one such star. The Brazil international joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017 for a world-record fee of nearly £200 million, and is regarded as one of the best players in the world. Neymar's spell at Paris Saint-Germain could have gone better, but it is evident the club regard him as an integral part of their project.
The 29-year-old is arguably the one player who comes close to Lionel Messi's natural talent. Neymar is a sensational talent, capable of creating something out of nothing. Paris Saint-Germain will hope that Messi and Neymar are able to replicate their Barcelona success with the French club.
#1 Jack Grealish (Manchester City)
Manchester City acquired Jack Grealish from Aston Villa this summer for a fee of nearly £106 million.
The fee is indicative of how highly Manchester City rate Grealish. The England international was Aston Villa's talisman and captain, and was one of the best players in the Premier League last season. Capable of operating on the wings or as an attacking midfielder, Grealish is a world-class dribbler and is excellent creatively.
The 25-year-old will reduce the burden on Kevin De Bruyne's shoulders. The Belgian had been Manchester City's main source of creativity in recent seasons, but has had some issues with injuries, though. Grealish has the talent to become one of the best players in the world.
You may also like: FIFA Best Player Awards Power Rankings: August 2021.
