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Dribbling is one of the most difficult skills to master in football. It's a game of margins and keeping the ball requires the use of deft touches and spatial awareness. In addition to that, a player will need speed, balance, and agility to keep the ball at his feet no matter how cramped for room he is.
Dribblers are adored by fans. There are few things better than seeing a player outsmart his opponent with his technique and quick thinking. It can also be a difference-maker. Dribbling is the most direct way to take opposition players out of the game.
If teams find it difficult to break down low-blocks, dribblers could prove to be a huge boon to their sides. The Premier League is home to some of the finest dribblers on the planet. They add a lot of dynamism to the team and make things interesting and entertaining to watch.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best dribblers in the Premier League.
#5 Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace's fate could have been way worse if they had not had Wilfried Zaha on their payroll over the last several seasons. Zaha has been a creative force for the Eagles and is the one that is constantly trying to make things happen for his side.
He is the second-most fouled player in the last two Premier League seasons. It's down to his ability to flit past defenders with his quick feet and silky dribbling skills. Zaha is a huge threat on the counter as he can embark on jinking runs and his imposing physique helps him bully defenders.
He averages 3.8 dribbles per season and attempted 111 dribbles in the 2020-21 season.
#4 Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford topped the charts for most nutmegs completed in Europe's top 5 leagues last season with 21. Thanks to his quick feet and excellent shooting ability, he is a menacing presence down the left wing for Manchester United.
Rashford attempted 163 dribbles in the 2020-21 Premier League season. He was successful with a whopping 82 of them. The 23-year-old packs a lot of dazzling tricks and is fast becoming a master of the flip-flap which was popularized by Ronaldinho.
Rashford also has electric pace and once he beats a defender, there is no catching him.
#3 Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)
Manchester City seemed almost unstoppable last season. Now they've gone and added Jack Grealish, one of the best players in the Premier League, to their side subject to a medical. The 26-year-old is one of the best in the league at drawing defenders towards him and creating space for his teammates.
He also has excellent vision and great passing ability. But Grealish is at his best when he carries the ball forward and beats defenders. He drew 4.2 fouls per game on average in the 2020-21 season. Grealish has been the most fouled player in the league for two consecutive seasons.
He attempted 101 dribbles in the 2020-21 season with a 64.3% success rate. Grealish's addition to the fray will make Manchester City more of a threat in the English top-flight.
#2 Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Manchester United have Marcus Rashford on the left wing. They've not had an out-and-out right winger for years and the Red Devils might have finally found the right man for the job. Jadon Sancho has been roped in from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
He is an electric presence on the flank. Sancho is technically proficient and is one of the best dribblers in the game right now. He completed 16 nutmegs in the Bundesliga in the 2020-21 season. He completed 3.2 dribbles per game last season.
That is reflective of how much of a difference the winger can make when he is on song. That is why Sancho is a great addition to Manchester United as he will fit their direct-attacking philosophy to a T.
#1 Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Adama Traore's dribbling ability is on a different level altogether. If the 25-year-old can develop his auxiliary skills, he could yet become one of the most intimidating wingers in Europe.
In the 2020-21 season, Traore completed a whopping 14 dribbles in a game against Newcastle United. That is the highest number of dribbles completed in a single game by a player in Europe's top five leagues last season.
Traore completed 5.8 dribbles per game in the 2020-21 season. Not only is he great with the ball at his feet, but he also packs blistering pace. He attempted 216 dribbles and completed 153 of them. Unfortunately, he has not been able to make it count as his shooting and passing have let him down often.
