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Football games can turn out to be cagey affairs quite regularly. Well-drilled sides could come up against each other and nullify each other's attacking impetus using their ability to remain organized. That's why creative playmakers are essential to every side.
Every team needs players with imagination who can change the course of a game with one exquisite pass. Most teams rely on their midfielders or forwards to create chances in the final third but there are exceptions to that too.
Creators are usually players who possess incredible vision and the technical ability to match. They will quickly take stock of the situation at hand and decide on playing a pass that could maximize their chances. The number of chances a player creates is a good measure of his attacking qualities.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at the five players with the most chances created from open play in Europe's top 5 leagues in 2021.
#5 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) - 66 chances created
Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne is inching closer to a move to MLS outfit Toronto FC. The 30-year-old is one of the best left wingers in the world and was excellent for Napoli in the 2020-21 season.
Insigne is a great dribbler who showcases close control of the highest order. The Italian international loves to cut in from the left flank and curl one into the top corner as most inverted wingers do these days.
Insigne's decision-making inside the final third is praiseworthy as well. He created as many as 66 chances from open play for Napoli in Serie A in 2021. It's a pity that Napoli are all likely to part ways with him at the end of the season as they will greatly miss his creativity in the final third.
#4 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 67 chances created
Liverpool are one of the most exciting sides to watch in all of Europe. Jurgen Klopp's heavy metal brand of football is quite a treat and it's a bit unconventional in very admirable ways.
Liverpool's supremely talented forwards rely on their full-backs for service. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and left-back Andy Robertson are usually tasked with carving out openings for their team. They start high up the pitch and almost play like wide midfielders.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best passers in the Premier League right now. His passing range is phenomenal and his vision and technique are exquisite. He created a whopping 67 chances from open play in 2021.
#3 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 79 chances created
Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's best signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era without a doubt. He has been phenomenal for the Red Devils. The Portuguese international has added a copious amount of creativity and sharpness to Manchester United's attack.
Fernandes is a risk-taker. He tries to pull off the audacious very regularly and to his credit, he succeeds at it quite often. The 27-year-old is always looking around to see if a teammate is making a run or is in a great position to receive the ball.
He will then play a quick pass into their path and does it usually before the defenders can react. Fernandes' throughballs are well-weighted and his passing range is simply outstanding. He created a total of 79 chances from open play for Manchester United in 2021.
#2 Filip Kostic (Eintracht Frankfurt) - 79 chances created
Filip Kostic has simply been phenomenal for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021. In the 2020-21 season, he formed a lethal striking partnership with Andre Silva. The Serbian international is a constant threat in the attacking third.
He is a wonderful technician who can play some exquisite crosses and through balls. Kostic doesn't shy away from testing the goalkeeper from range either. The 29-year-old has been in fine form in the ongoing season as well, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 16 Bundesliga appearances.
He created a grand total of 79 chances from open play for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021.
#1 Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) - 106 chances created
Thomas Muller has simply been a cut above the rest when it comes to creating chances. The Bayern Munich forward is one of the most intelligent footballers on the planet and is a master at creating space and chances for his teammates.
Muller's movement in and around the final third is simply exceptional. He knows when to drag defenders away and what space to run into to maximize his side's chances of scoring goals. Muller has turned out to be a great partner for the prolific Robert Lewandowski.
He has scored and assisted in four Bundesliga matches this season. He is the only player other than Mohamed Salah and Hakan Calhanoglu to do so in Europe's top five leagues in the ongoing season. Muller created a whopping 106 chances from open play in 2021.
