'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The conversations surrounding the beautiful game tend to be driven by the goals scored and those who score them. But for proper fans, the game is a lot more about just putting the ball into the back of the net.
The finer aspects of the game are sometimes as intriguing. The game that requires different departments to seamlessly integrate into a smooth-functioning system, and when done right, can result in magical, scintillating football.
We honour the men who 'create' these goal-scoring opportunities, like a drummer cueing up the lead guitarist to let it rip!
#5 Caesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta is one of the most productive full-backs in the game at the moment. Although, the same can be said for almost every season that the Spaniard has featured in a blue shirt for Chelsea.
Trending
Sharp on his feet, the utilitarian players is adept at most aspects of defensive work but has regularly increased his presence further up the pitch for the reigning Premier League Champions.
Azpi finds himself on the ball an awful lot - as do most wing-backs these days - for his side and always finds a way to put it to good use, either by exchanging passes on the flank with the centre-back to ease the opposition pressure or galloping forward down the right - or left - to look to put dangerous crosses into the box for the strikers to score from.
This stat shows us just how effective he is at creating chances for his team in attack. He is the most productive player in the Chelsea squad, starting each of the 74 matches prior to his missing the fixture against Swansea in the league end of last year. Critical.
He is the only defender to feature on this list and is a regular presence in the most-successful passes completed standings in the Premier League.
#4 Mesut Ozil
Always a bone of contention, Mesut Ozil is undoubtedly one of the best passers of the ball in England and across Europe.
Although many, including quite a few Gunners, have often criticised the German for his apparently lethargic displays on the field, few can compare to the maestro's ability to find a man with a pass.
But when the former Real Madrid man is at his creative best, some of the passes and through-balls that leave his boot are phenomenal. That first-time flick over the top of the defence to put Giroud through, particularly comes to mind.
We hardly ever need a reason to watch this, but we have one today.
Despite being off the pace this season, the German has managed to assist 8 goals in the league and has been very useful with his distribution.
A Mesut Ozil on form is a beautiful sight to see, it's just a shame we haven't seen it too often this campaign.
#3 Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen has come to become one of the most consistently 'out of this world' footballers in England. The Danish international has been in the spotlight for quite a while now, with Arsenal's Arsene Wenger trying to bring him to London.
He did arrive in North London but on the wrong side as far as the Gunners were concerned.
After Bale's departure to Madrid in 2013, Spurs brought in a whole host of players from the proceeds. Five years down the line, Eriksen is the only one to have paid dividends. AND HOW!
The Dane has been instrumental in their push up the league table over the past couple of years (3rd and 2nd respectively) and also constantly feature in the standings for the most key passes in the season.
The Tottenham man recently brought up his 50th assist in England against AFC Bournemouth - taking his total tally to a staggering 131. Class!
#2 David Silva
What an absolute peach of a player this guy is! David Silva! The best Valencia export since David Villa, Silva is as brilliant a playmaker as they come.
Words will only take away from the sheer genius of the Spaniard who has been at the top of the English game for the past 8 years. Having managed to keep up his performances all along, Silva has become the heart of the City attack with everything going through him.
Silva currently sits behind only his fellow teammates de Bruyne and Sane in the assists tally in the Premier League but these stats aren't enough to fully understand the value of the Spain International. The City captain's (in Kompany's absence) pre-assist game is just as good, if not better.
Regularly finding runners in-behind defences with raking passes, Silva is a joy to behold every time he gets onto the pitch.
The genius has notched up a scarcely believable 113 assists in his time at the Etihad. Just WOW!
#1 Kevin de Bruyne
The undisputed king of assists this season has been Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian has been playing like it's nobody's business and has already handed the League title to Manchester City with his sublime ability to never err with a pass.
Having moved form Wolfsburg for close to £40 million, he has seen his value sky-rocket to three times that number and is currently one of the hottest properties in world football.
The former Chelsea star has raised the bar as far as playmaking in the Premier League is concerned, making the likes of Ozil, Pogba and Fabregas seem out of touch.
When Pep Guardiola raised the Belgian's profile after taking over, by stating that he is the best player in the side despite Toure, Silva, Kompany and Aguero in the same team, few could fathom what it was that made the Spaniard make such a claim.
Two years on, we all know. De Bruyne always seems to be three, four, five steps ahead of his opponents who fail to cope with the standards set by him, and he doesn't require any time on the ball to play 'that killer-pass'.
Apart from scoring some sumptuous goals this season (7 in the league) the Belgian has also provided an assist every other game. This sees him sit pretty on top of our list and we're certain no one's arguing!
