The beautiful game (football) is often won and lost in the simplest of actions: a well-timed pass matter a lot. In the Premier League, the art of passing has evolved into a science, with teams employing intricate strategies to dominate possession and outmaneuver opponents.
From Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka masters at Manchester City to Jurgen Klopp’s (liverpoool former coach ) high-intensity press at Liverpool, passing has become the heartbeat of modern football. But what makes a team’s passing game truly exceptional?
This article will rank the top 12 best passers that has ever played in premier league.
12. Santi Cazorla
A joy to watch, the permanently-smiling Santi Cazorla had the unusual ability to execute stunning passes with both his right and left feet. He was a nightmare for defenders to deal with and carved out opportunities for his teammates literally left, right and centre. There were few who could do what he could.
Injuries may have plagued his final years with Arsenal, but for a while, the Spaniard was one of the best midfielders in England and his incredible passing was a large reason for that. Still, it was nice to see his career bounce back in Spain following his departure from the Emirates.
11. Stephen Gerrard
Gerrard was the heartbeat of Liverpool for 17 years at Anfield, and it’s no surprise that he’s at the top of the passing chart (15,108). He also rarely misplaced a pass and is the trio’s most accurate (82.74%). Lampard’s period as a second striker meant he left the build-up phase to finish off goals, but he still came in with an impressive number (13,274) and tended to be precise (81.75%).
Possession hasn’t been Manchester United’s strongest suit post-during the modern era, and Fernandes has been guilty of some wayward passes. He’s still the best passer at the club (8,688), and although he’s third in both cases, he finds his man more often than not (78.25%)
10. Dennis Bergkamp
Arsenal hero Dennis Bergkamp had the ability to spot passes nobody else could see. He was capable of magic with the ball at his feet and he demonstrated that time and time again over the years. The Dutchman scored some seriously spectacular goals over the years, but his passing was just as good, if not better.
Bergkamp’s influence on the Gunners during his time with the side was unmistakable and there was no one doing what he was during his time in England. Just an absolute all-timer
9. Frank Lampard
Chelsea’s attacking dominance from the 2000s and 2010s was predominantly due to Lampard, their all-time top scorer. ‘Super Frank’ was instrumental during Jose Mourinho’s first reign at Stamford Bridge, flourishing in various positions, such as box-to-box midfielder and higher up in the number 10 position.
Lampard leads the way regarding goals scored in the Premier League with 177 in 611 league games, sitting sixth in the league’s all-time goalscoring charts. He tops Gerrard (120 in 504) and Fernandes (54 in 162). The Manchester United captain has spent much less time in the English top flight than the other two but has shaded goals per 90 minutes ratio (0.33).
8. David Beckham
it’s time for an entirely new generation to appreciate just how great a playmaker he was. Arguably the best crosser and free-kick taker of the Premier League era, he was also a world-class passer of the ball.
Some of his passes were just on another level, and it was almost impossible for defenders to predict where he’d take the ball. He had the ability to find anyone, and it played a major role in United’s success during Beckham’s time in the Premier League.
7. Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas is next on the list of most assists during the Premier League era. The Spaniard assisted a combined 111 league goals with Arsenal and Chelsea and you could make a highlight reel of some of the incredible passes that he made during his career in England. He earned a reputation as one of the very best playmakers on the planet, and it was for good reason.
No one could unlock a defence quite like Fabregas could with his splitting passes, and it was a joy to watch unfold every single time he took to the pitch for either the Gunners or the Blues.
6. Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso, who played for Liverpool between 2004-2009, takes third place on our list of the Premier League’s greatest-ever passers. Whether it was a simple short pass or a raking 40-yard ball, Alonso could do it all. He made the most difficult of passes look simple and did so on a regular basis.
It certainly wasn’t all he was capable of, but his playmaking and passing ability where what helped him stand out among the rest of the midfielders in England during his time at Anfield.
5. David Silva
The greatest player in Manchester city history . David Silva was a master of creating space in between the lines and then threading perfectly weighted passes through to Sergio Aguero and co. upfront. There was no pass that he couldn’t make and City were a much stronger side with him in the lineup.
Even in the toughest of games, the Cityzens could always rely on Silva to produce something special whenever it mattered most and he regularly unlocked defences with his elite passing ability.
4. Paul Scholes
A genius with the ball at his feet, many football fans will argue that Paul Scholes should be number one on this list – and that’s a perfectly fair opinion to hold. The Man Utd legend would dictate the tempo of Premier League matches thanks to his sumptuous range of passing.
Still criminally underrated in certain circles, Scholes was a maestro at picking the right pass to make and did so for two decades at Old Trafford. It’s a skill that stuck with him until the very end of his career and ensured he was an elite Premier League talent until he decided to hang his boots up.
3. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs, with 244 assists, remains a legend at Manchester United for his pace, skill, and delivery from the wing. Giggs’ passing was unique due to his ability to combine speed with precision. His crosses from the left wing were a constant threat, perfectly weighted and delivered into dangerous areas for strikers to capitalize on.
Giggs’ dribbling skills allowed him to beat defenders and create space to deliver his passes, often from seemingly impossible positions. His vision enabled him to make split-second decisions, picking out teammates with pinpoint accuracy. Giggs also possessed a remarkable ability to execute through balls that dissected defenses, demonstrating his exceptional understanding of the game and his teammates’ movements.
2. Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne’s incredible passing ability. The Belgian midfielder has consistently impressed with his precision, range, and vision on the pitch. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of De Bruyne’s passing style and explore how he has honed his craft to become one of the greatest passers in the game.
With an astonishing 227 assists in all competitions, De Bruyne’s statistics speak for themselves. His ability to pick out a teammate with a perfectly weighted pass has been a hallmark of his career, and his consistency is a testament to his dedication and skill.
So, what sets De Bruyne apart from his peers? Let’s take a closer look at his passing technique, vision, and decision-making to understand the secrets behind his success. He’s the best passer currently in the premier league
1. Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil is a creative genius on the pitch, renowned for his innovative and unique passing style. His ability to identify teammates making runs and deliver pinpoint accurate passes is unparalleled.
Ozil’s stints with Real Madrid and Arsenal showcased his exceptional skills, leaving a lasting impact on the beautiful game. At Real Madrid, he was instrumental in their La Liga victory in 2011-2012, providing numerous assists for Cristiano Ronaldo and other teammates.
His time at Arsenal was marked by moments of brilliance, including his key role in ending the club’s trophy drought with the FA Cup victory in 2014. Ozil’s vision and creativity earned him numerous individual accolades, including being named German Player of the Year on multiple occasions.
His international career with Germany was highlighted by winning the FIFA World Cup in 2014, where his playmaking abilities were crucial to the team’s success. Despite facing criticism and challenges later in his career, Ozil’s legacy as one of the most gifted playmakers of his generation remains intact. His ability to unlock defenses with his passing and his flair for the spectacular make him a player who will be remembered for years to come.
