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Prolific goalscorers are usually the most sought-after players in football as they're capable of winning matches on their own. However, one of the most important cogs of any attacking set-up is the creative force pulling the strings for the forwards.
Regardless of the ever-changing nature of the transfer window, players who create chances on a regular basis will always be in demand. Players capable of unlocking even the most stubborn defences with one magical pass on a regular basis are usually at a premium.
Opta defines the chance creation metric as the sum of the number of key passes delivered and the number of assists registered by a player.
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The last decade has seen some of the most prolific chance creators ply their trade in Europe, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Mesut Ozil, Kevin De Bruyne, and many others. 2020/21 has seen a relatively newer set of names make their way to the top of the chance creation charts, including the likes of Mason Mount, Rodrigo De Paul and Jack Grealish, among others.
Here, we take a look at the five best chance creators across the top five leagues in Europe for the 2020/21 campaign.
#5 Memphis Depay | Olympique Lyon | 90
Olympique Lyon captain Memphis Depay is among the most in-demand forwards heading into the summer transfer window. The former Manchester United winger has played 34 games in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 18 goals and setting up a further nine for last season's UEFA Champions League semi-finalists.
Depay has created 90 chances this season, including 81 key passes at a rate of 2.75 per 90, making him the fifth-highest chance creator during 2020/21. His contract at Olympique Lyon is set to come to an end, and he is set for a move away from Les Gones, which could lead to one of Europe's best creators available on a free transfer.
#4 Filip Kostic | Eintracht Frankfurt | 93
Serbian star Filip Kostic is arguably the biggest surprise entry onto the list this season. The 28-year-old has been in absolutely sublime form this season for Eintracht Frankfurt, starring in a left midfielder/wing-back role for Adi Hutter's men, scoring four goals and setting up a further 12.
Kostic has created 93 chances for Die Adler from wide areas this season, which includes 81 key passes. No player in the Bundesliga has delivered more crosses into the penalty area this season than Kostic's 44, and only Jadon Sancho has played more passes (79) into the box than his (60). He's been in red hot form for Eintracht and is one of the most impressive chance creators on the continent.
Also read: 5 Players with most nutmegs in Europe this season (2020/21)
#3 Thomas Muller | Bayern Munich | 98
Many wrote off Thomas Muller after a couple of rocky campaigns for club and country, but he bounced back in stunning fashion with eight goals and 21 assists in 2019/20. The German veteran has maintained his incredible form throughout 2020/21 as well, racking up a staggering ten goals and 17 assists in 29 games.
Muller's 17 assists is the highest tally in Europe this campaign, with Harry Kane's 13 coming in at second place. The Raumdeuter's assists combined with 81 key passes for the Bavarians make him the third-highest chance creator across the top five leagues. Muller is on course to win his tenth Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich as they lead the table by seven points with three games to go.
=#1 Hakan Calhanoglu | AC Milan | 99
Despite their turbulent form towards the end of the campaign, AC Milan have had one of their best campaigns over the last few years — and Hakan Calhanoglu has been one of the many reasons for their upturn in fortunes. The Turkish international has been in sublime form during the 2020/21 campaign, taking up the creative responsibilities for the Rossoneri.
Calganoglu has only scored thrice but has registered eight assists in 28 Serie A appearances, and has registered more key passes than any player in Europe's top five leagues with 91. He also tops the charts in Italy for shot-creating actions with 154. Calhanoglu's contract is set to expire soon, and should Milan fail to extend it, one of Europe's two best creators could be available on a free.
=#1 Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | 99
Manchester United superstar Bruno Fernandes has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League since he moved from Sporting CP last season, and he's been in spectacular form in 2020/21 as well. The Portuguese playmaker has registered 16 league goals and 11 assists, and has been at the heart of the Red Devils' push for second place.
The 26-year-old is statistically the best creator in Europe's top five leagues as he's accumulated a stunning 88 key passes along with 11 assists, taking his tally up to 99 chances created for the season. His 19 big chances created is the highest in the Premier League, with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne coming in at second place with 17 for the season.
Also read: 5 Best Premier League players outside the traditional top 6 clubs
