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The glamorous nature of football means that goals are highly-priced. Regular goalscorers often receive more adulation and reward than their counterparts in other areas.
However, a lot of work goes into the creation of a goal. While not as highly revered as their forward teammates, playmakers are one of the most important components of any team's attacking plan.
They are mostly responsible for creating the assists for goals and are charged with dictating the tempo of their team's games.
An assist is regarded as the final pass or cross before the ball is put in the back of the net. They come in all forms, with some assists being more celebrated than the goal itself.
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However, not all frequent assist providers are playmakers, with some defenders showing high propensity for setting others up. Some forwards are equally as adept at creating chances as they are at finishing them.
The current Ligue 1 season has provided its fair share of excitement, with one of the tightest title races in recent memory.
Some players have distinguished themselves with their performance in the French top flight this season. Here, we shall have a rundown of the top five assist providers in Ligue 1 right now.
Note: Stats correct at the time of writing; goals used to separate players with the same number of assists
#5 Gaetan Laborde (Montpellier) - 7 assists
Gaetan Laborde is having a memorable campaign for Montpellier and has been one of the shining lights in what has been an inconsistent campaign for the club.
The 26-year-old has tallied six assists and six goals from 21 league games to help his side to 11th spot on the Ligue 1 table.
His standout display came in the 4-1 victory over Angers, where he provided a hat-trick of assists.
#4 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 6 assists
Kylian Mbappe has been nothing short of a revelation over the last five years. Having hit a rough patch last season, the France international is back to his blistering best.
So far this season, the 22-year-old has 20 goal contributions for PSG from just 17 games. His six assists have been spread across five games, with the most recent coming when he scored a brace and assisted one as the defending champions trashed Montpellier 4-0.
#3 Florian Thauvin (Marseille) - 7 assists
Florian Thuavin is entering the final months of his contract with Marseille and is reportedly not extending his deal with the club.
If the France international is to depart the Stade Velodrome at the end of the season, he is undoubtedly making a mark in his final campaign.
He currently has a direct goal contribution of 13, with six goals and seven assists from 20 Ligue 1 games.
Thauvin is one of the deadliest set-piece takers in the world, and his ability has come to the fore, with four of his assists coming from dead balls.
His standout display came on the opening day of the campaign when he scored a goal and provided two assists as Andres Villa Boas' side picked up a 3-2 victory away to Stade Brest.
#2 Jonathan Bamba (Lille) - 7 assists
Jonathan Bamba had his breakout campaign following the departure of Nicolas Pepe last season, and he has kept up his impressive performance this term.
So far, the 24-year-old has scored six goals and provided seven assists from 21 league games to help Lille to second spot on the Ligue 1 table.
His standout performance came when he had a hand in three goals - scoring one and assisting two - as Lille defeated Lens 4-0 on matchday 7.
The Stade-Pierre Maurouy giants are currently level on points with table-toppers PSG. If they are to successfully win a first league title in a decade, they will need Bamba to keep up his impressive displays.
#1 Andy Delort (Montpellier) - 7 assists
Like strike partner Laborde, Andy Delort has been in fine form for Montpellier this season.
The Algeria international has played his part in front of goal with nine goals and seven assists from 18 games. However, his club have been let down by a porous defence that has conceded 39 goals in just 21 games.
Having made his initial loan deal to Montpellier permanent in 2019, the 29-year-old has played a key role in attack over the last two years.
His standout creative performance so far this season came on matchday 3 when he provided two assists as Montpellier picked up a 3-1 home victory over Nice.
