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Ligue 1 has a host of talented footballers known for their attacking gameplay and creativity. However, scoring a goal isn't just about the final shot, as every converted chance comes from an attempt. Key passes measure Ligue 1 footballers' contribution in creating a goal attempt, but one that doesn't convert into a goal.
Opta defines a key pass as any pass or short-cum-pass that results in the ball's recipient attempting a goal without scoring. While it may seem counter-intuitive, having a high number of critical passes is essential.
More key passes mean more potential chance creation by a footballer. The following five names have the highest number of key passes per game among the footballers in the French league.
#5 Moses Simon - 2.3
Moses Simon has been a shining light for Nantes in the current season. The Nigerian footballer can play in several attacking roles but is at his best on the left flank.
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Moses likes to deal with the opposition defense head-on and tries to rely on his pace and guile. He is also a team player, shown by his 2.3 key passes per game.
Moses has made 20 appearances for Nantes across all major competitions this season. He has managed to score two goals and has assisted six others. A good run of form will see Nantes doing even better.
#4 Lionel Messi - 2.5
Lionel Messi's move to PSG earlier in the season was perhaps the most high-profile move of the summer. While the move was completely unexpected, fans had hoped that the Argentine would take the league by the scruff of the neck. However, that hasn't been the case and Messi had to endure a very indifferent start in Paris.
The Argentine, though, has been slowly getting back to his rhythm and his performances have started to improve. While Messi has been lukewarm in Ligue 1, he has been exceptional in the Champions League.
In the 19 appearances he has made so far, Messi has scored seven goals and made seven assists. His goal involvement has gone up over the last run of matches. PSG fans will be hoping that can witness vintage Messi performances soon.
#3 Andy Delort - 3.0
Center forward Andy Delort has been one of the most consistent players in Ligue 1 this season. Delort has been an underrated name in the league so far, and the move to Nice has benefitted him.
A very old-school attacker, Delort's greatest strength is his accurate finishing and getting involved in the build-up to goals. Nice has been playing well in the current season and Delort has been the leading man on the journey.
Nice's investment in Dlorthas been repaid as he has performed exceptionally well for the £9 million that the club paid to secure his services.
Delort has made 22 appearances so far, in which he has scored nine goals and assisted two. His three key passes per game is currently the third-highest among all Ligue 1 players.
#2 Benjamin Bourigeaud - 3.2
The current campaign in Ligue 1 has been all about midfielders. Teji Savanier is one such name who has been performing excellently for his club. Likewise, Benjamin Bourigeaud has performed well above expectations for Rennais.
Bourigeaud is a no-nonsense central midfielder whose most significant assets are his passing skills. He has the technical ability and the range of passing needed to crack open the best defenses in the league. Bourigeaud has filled the void left by the outgoing Eduardo Camavinga and has ensured the club doesn't suffer too much.
Bourigeaud has been a diligent performer with 31 appearances across all competitions. He has scored three goals but his eight assists have been more valuable. His 3.2 key passes in every game put Bourigeaud in the second position on this list.
#1 Dimitri Payet - 3.8
Dimitri Payet can excel at several positions due to his superb technical abilities and passing skills. However, Payet's area of expertise is the attacking midfield position, where he can genuinely showcase his ability as the league leader in key passes per game. Marseille have been on a brilliant run of form and Payet will look to extend it with his incredible performances.
He has already been involved in 27 games so far and has performed brilliantly. Payet has scored nine goals and assisted another nine. The Marseille faithful will be hoping that Payet continues this run of form.
