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Passing is often the most effective tool a team can use to move the ball forward. While a bit of the focus is on keeping the ball moving and the opposition guessing, matches can be decided by one defence splitting pass.
Passing is an art and while there are many who are pretty good at it, only a few have been able to master it. These are players who can find their teammates from wherever on the pitch, no matter what their body position might be or how tight a spot they're in.
Playing in midfield at the highest level is a grueling task. Players need to be aware of what's going on all around them and have a high level of spatial awareness. They also have to keep things ticking in midfield and this forces them to be quick on their feet.
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Some players have mastered the art of finding their teammates from difficult positions. Today, we take a look at five midfielders with the best passing range in football right now.
#5 Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich is one of the most versatile, high-profile players in the Bundesliga. The German international can play anywhere across midfield and also as a right-back. The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe in recent seasons.
In addition to his excellent game reading ability and physical attributes which make him great in a defensive sense, it is his passing that really has the most impact. Kimmich's passing range has helped elevate his status as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in football currently.
Kimmich is very precise with his delivery. His long-range passing is exceptional and allowing him space and time on the ball is a recipe for disaster as far as the opposition is concerned.
#4 Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool)
Thiago Alcantara spent his prime years at Bayern Munich and decided to leave the club after winning the continental treble with them in the 2019-20 season. At the age of 29, the Spaniard decided that it was time for him to see whether he can step up to the challenge of playing in the Premier League.
It wasn't easy at all at first for Thiago. Various injury issues stopped him from completely settling down at the club as well. However, Thiago seems to be getting back to his best this term.
He has scored a couple of spectacular goals but has also been heavily involved in Liverpool's build-up play. Thiago's agility and passing range are two of his primary weapons. He can pull of trivelas, diagonal passes and well weighted through balls with elan. The 30-year-old has one of the best passing ranges in football right now.
#3 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Paul Pogba is one of the most creative footballers on the planet. Everything he does ably on the football pitch, he does with flair. But there are a few glaring shortcomings to his game and losing possession in key areas when playing as a central midfielder is prominent among them.
On his day, the Frenchman is nearly unplayable. The Manchester United midfielder can slalom past players with his quick feet and trickery and can also play some mesmerizing passes. Pogba's passing range is nothing short of incredible.
Given space and time on the ball, Pogba can find his teammates anywhere on the pitch with precision. He is yet another player who uses the outside of his foot and the inside to equal effect. He can thread neat little through passes to his forwards just as well as he can feed a bullet-like diagonal to one of the wingers.
#2 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Over the past few seasons, Kevin De Bruyne has been able to establish himself as the most lethal attacking midfielder in Europe. The Belgian international is one of the most technically gifted and intelligent midfielders in the game right now.
De Bruyne is known for his expansive through balls and ability to find his teammates no matter how difficult the angle might be. He is also renowned for whipping in some delightful crosses whenever he has to slip out onto the flanks.
De Bruyne is good with either foot and in the 2019-20 season he registered 20 assists in the Premier League. In doing so, he equalled Thierry Henry's record for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign.
De Bruyne is easily one of the best passers in the game right now and his passing range is simply world-class.
#1 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
There is really no doubt when it comes down to choosing who is the best in the business when it comes to anything that involves passing the ball. Toni Kroos is a cut above the rest and is inarguably one of the best passers in the history of the sport.
After making 10 appearances in La Liga this season, Kroos' pass success rate stands at a whopping 94.9%. He is as tidy as they come and having Kroos in midfield is like knowing a cheat code to the game.
The former Germany international is arguably the best deep-lying playmaker in the game. His technical expertise and the finesse with which he pulls off the extraordinary makes him an absolute legend. Kroos' passing range is simply exceptional.
There is more than a nine out of 10 chance he will find a teammate every time the ball leaves his foot no matter how difficult it might look.
