Top five passers of the ball in football at the moment

Football is a game of many faces. Some of them are conspicuous, like goals and assists. Others are less recognisable. Like passing. And passers are probably the most underrated participants of the game.

Over time, fate has provided us with exquisite passers of the ball, from Nils Liedholm to Michel Platini. But who are some of the best passers in the game currently? Here is our take on the top 5.

5. Michael Carrick

When Manchester United won the title in 2013, the one man the English Media chose to thank was Michael Carrick. Being a deep lying Central Midfielder, Carrick was instrumental in United’s gameplay, maintaining possession, breaking up attacks and covering for the defence.

However, it was his passing which enabled him to influence United’s attacking play. Almost Barcelona-esque in its quality, Carrick’s passes are swift and precise. His through balls well timed and his aerial balls are his main strength.He averages 77 passes per game this season, maintaining an 87% accuracy.

4. Mikel Arteta

He remained the forgotten La Masia graduate for a long time. Hailing from the Basque region of Spain, he started his career with Real Sociedad, maturing in the regista role. He moved to Scotland, and then England subsequently. It was with Everton than he earned his name as a master passer and playmaker.

Comparisons with fellow country man Cesc Fabregas were put to rest when he was bought by Arsene Wenger as a replacement for his departed Spanish prodigy. He stepped up and delivered, controlling play in the middle of the park, and putting in a consistent shift after another, all while maintaining an enviable passing rate.

His calmness on the ball and the maturity of his passes is what has earned Arteta the fourth spot on our list.This season, Arteta has been passing with a 91% rate with 4 accurate long balls per game.

3. Andrea Pirlo

The Italian maestro has been serving quietly since a very long time in Serie A, but burst onto the scene in the 2010 World Cup and then the 2012 European championship, helping Italy, sometimes single handedly, to win the tournament.

His area of operation, defensive midfield, is not very suitable for nifty passing play, but that is what Pirlo has utilized to stand out from the rest of the pack. Not only is his short passing immaculate and tight, but his precise long balls have become his trademark specialty. The ability to spot runs from deep in his own half, and then delivering the required lobbed pass every time is what puts the Juventus man third on our list.

Pirlo has made an average of 10 accurate long balls per match this season making 2 key passes per game as well.

2. Xavi Hernandez

The long serving Barcelona player has been constantly lauded as one of the best passers of the game. His metronomic passing was crucial to Barcelona’s style of play, and its success under Pep Guardiola.

Playing as a deeper lying central midfielder, Xavi controls the pace of play in the middle of the park. Difficult to win the ball against, or to force into an error, he is number two in our list.Xavi has made an average of 95 passes and 2 key passes per game this season, raking up 4 assists in the process.

1. Cesc Fabregas

The Spaniard was plucked from Barcelona’s famed academy at the tender age of 16 years and put straight into the Invincibles side by Arsene Wenger, a decision, which introduced the world to the unmatchable talent and vision of Francesc Fabregas.

Trained under the La Masia principles, he is tight and nifty on the ball. But what really sets him apart is his ability to almost always find the perfect pass, sometimes making you believe that threading a ball through the eye of the needle might actually be possible for the Barcelona player.

His vision, even under extreme pressure, is pin point and he has shown the same time and again.

Fabregas has made 9 assists already this season.