5 most successful dribblers in Europe's top 5 leagues in 2021

#3 Javi Galan (Celta Vigo) - 122 dribbles

RC Celta de Vigo v Valencia CF - La Liga Santander

Javi Galan is one of the names that could surprise a few people on here. The Celta Vigo left-back can also play as a winger. The 27-year-old is simply phenomenal with the ball at his feet.

He has completed a whopping 122 dribbles this year. It is the most for any defender across all of Europe's top five leagues. Galan is one of Celta Vigo's best players but his final product perhaps doesn't share the same quality as his dribbling.

Galan averages a successful dribble every 28 minutes in 2021.

#2 Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United) - 141 dribbles

Newcastle United v Manchester City - Premier League

Newcastle United attacker Allan Saint-Maximin is a nightmare to defend against. The Frenchman possesses an incredible level of control when he is taking on defenders. He has such quick, dancing feet that he is fancied to get the better of opposition players every time he charges at them.

The 24-year-old has scored three goals and provided three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions for the Magpies this season. It's clear as day that the quality of his finishes and the final ball could improve.

But Saint-Maximin's ability to flit past defenders is one of Newcastle United's chief weapons whenever they break on the counter. He averages a successful dribble every 18 minutes in 2021.

#1 Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers) - 180 dribbles

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley - Premier League

Leading this list by a country mile and a half is Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore. If you've only watched Youtube compilations of Traore, you'd be excused for thinking he is one of the best footballers in the world.

The 25-year-old is indeed the best when it comes to easing past defenders. He is built like a machine and is an absolute beast in an athletic sense. It is impossible to shake the Spaniard off the ball.

But for all of Traore's dribbling abilities, he has remarkably not been able to score a goal or provide an assist in the ongoing season after making 19 appearances.

Traore completed 180 dribbles in 2021. He averages a successful dribble every 15 minutes. The Wolves attacker has come close to scoring quite a few absolutely stunning solo goals this season. There is perhaps no player who is as dangerous on the break as Traore is.

But time and again, he fails to find the right pass or the right finish. If he can improve his decision-making and be a lot more precise in the final third, Traore can be one of the best wingers in the world.