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A pinpoint cross into the box remains one of the most effective weapons, as it puts the opposition's defence in a difficult situation.
However, the modern game has become more inclined towards 'possession-based football and the use of attacking midfielders/ false 9, as exemplified by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, usurping the older tactics of two strikers up front.
That has led to many passes along the ground and shorter, crisper passes instead of crosses into the box or long balls hauled upfield.
Top five crossers in world football
Possession-based football relies on plenty of passes and swift movement of the ball to score goals. But an accurate long ball up the field, coupled with the right move, can achieve the same objective in a much lesser time.
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Crossing has become a dying art in today's game. Nevertheless, let's take a look at the top five crossers in the game at the moment.
#5 Filip Kostic (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Eintracht Frankfurt's wing-back Filip Kostic has been in exceptional form this season, helping his team stay in a Champions League spot, with six games remaining.
Kostic has been involved in 15 goals (four goals, 11 assists) in 24 appearances this season and has recorded the most assists in the 2020-21 Bundesliga.
With 157 successful crosses this season, Kostic is arguably the best in crosses in the Bundesliga. The 28-year old has averaged 11.1 crosses per 90 minutes this season, along with 3.1 long balls per match.
Operating in a left wing-back role, Kostic is a dynamic ball carrier from midfield and is extremely precise with crosses in the box.
37% of Frankfurt's attacking play has been through the left flank this season, which has primarily happened due to the Serbian's presence. Along with precise passing and pinpoint crosses, Kostic is also known for his explosive pace. With a speed of 34.9 km/h, he is one of Bundesliga's fastest players.
#4 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander Arnold has been on a steep learning curve this season, as his defensive frailties have been being exposed time and time again. However, he remains one of the finest crossers in the Premier League and world football.
Alexander-Arnold has one of the highest attempted crosses per 90 minutes (nine), second only to Newcastle's Ryan Fraser this EPL season. He has recorded 236 crosses in the 2020-21 Premier League and has had a high crossing accuracy of 19%. Only his teammate, Andrew Robertson, has tallied more crosses (242) than TAA.
The young Englishman has also tallied 131 accurate long passes and six assists from 38 appearances for the Reds this season. Arnold has an xA (expected assists) of 7.33 - one of the highest for a full-back - largely due to his tally of 79% successful passes.
Klopp recognized the immense potential of Arnold and transformed him from a winger to a full-back, a tactic that has yielded rich dividends in the Premier League and Champions League.
While Arnold is one of the best full-backs in the future, there's a lot to be desired from the defence side of his game, though.
#3 Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi's searing runs down the flanks, culminating with pinpoint crosses, has become a feature of Inter Milan's play this season.
The Italian champions-elect are set to dethrone nine-time defending champions Juventus.
Hakimi has made 77 crosses and 113 long passes in Serie A this season, doing so with an accuracy of 67%. The Morocco international has a pass completion rate of over 81%, which has helped him notch up six assists, joint-third by an Inter Milan player.
At just 22, Hakimi has already represented the likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund and has immense potential to scale further heights.
His impressive passing stats are accompanied by his decisiveness in front of goal - scoring six goals at a 21% shot conversion ratio. Out of 28 shots in the Serie A this season, Hakimi has had an impressive 43% of them on target.
#2 Angel Di Maria (PSG)
PSG winger Angel Di Maria has quietly made a huge impact for his team this season.
The Argentine's role in PSG's build-up play has been absolutely clutch. He has been involved in 17 goals from 33 appearances this season.
Di Maria is extremely gifted with the ball at his feet and has extreme precision in his crosses into the final third. The Argentine has averaged 7.2 crosses per 90 minutes this season, along with 3.4 long balls per 90.
Moreover, the former Champions League winner has an impressive 80% pass completion and an xA of 8.67. Di Maria has recorded 82 crosses and 12 completed crosses into the 18-yard box in the 2020-21 Ligue 1.
Di Maria is adept in finding his teammates in the final third; he has had 57 completed passes in the 18-yard box this season. If PSG are to win the Ligue 1 and Champions League this season, Di Maria could play a key role.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
When it comes to assists and passing - be it any type of passes - it is difficult to look beyond Kevin De Bruyne. After leaving Chelsea in 2014, the Belgian has been in inspired form for Manchester City.
De Bruyne has 140 crosses to his name in the Premier League this season, registering an impressive cross completion ratio of 26%. Moreover, the Belgian has recorded 61 accurate long balls, with 4.8 long balls played on average per 90.
Kevin De Bruyne has one of the highest xAs in world football - with almost 0.44 expected assists on average per match. The Belgian's inch-perfect crosses are evidence of his mastery with the ball at his feet. His 304 attempted crosses last season were the most in Premier League.
Very few in world football possess the technical ability and acumen of the 29-year old, who is widely regarded as the most complete midfielder in the game. The 'assist king' is the creative hub of Manchester City and could win a quadruple this season.
