The Premier League’s always had this weird love affair with strikers—the guys who grab the headlines because they’re the last ones to touch the ball before it hits the net. But, c’mon, football’s not just about who scores anymore. It’s about the build-up, the drama, the chess moves before the knockout punch. The real magic? That’s cooked up by the playmakers—the puppet-masters, the rebels, the ones who write the script before the goal even happens.
And honestly, the whole idea of playmaking’s been flipped on its head.
Remember when the classic No.10 would just hang out behind the striker, twiddling his thumbs, waiting for a chance to drop a killer pass? Yeah, those days are toast. Now you’ve got all sorts running the show. Guys like Declan Rice or Adam Wharton, they’re not even in the final third.
they’re deep, pulling strings, flipping the game on its head with one pass out of nowhere. Then you’ve got chaos agents like Jérémy Doku he’s not even looking for a pass, just blows up defensive plans with those mazy runs. On the wings, dudes like Bukayo Saka and João Pedro have hijacked the old-school winger role, cutting inside and sliding passes like undercover No.10s. And, of course, the classic risk-addicts like Bruno Fernandes he’s all about gambling, living for that one killer ball that might not come off nine times out of ten, but when it does? Boom.
Oh, and by the way, if you think this list is just about assist stats, forget it. It’s about control. It’s about the guys who take a match by the scruff of the neck, the ones who can drag their team forward even when things are going sideways. The real architects, not just the ones with numbers next to their names.
10. David Brooks — Bournemouth
Look, Bournemouth aren’t exactly the darlings of the highlight reels, but Brooks? Dude’s got vision for days. He’s not just shoehorning himself into their attack, he is the attack most weeks.
He’s threading passes where most players wouldn’t even see a gap. Smaller club, sure, but that just makes his influence louder—he’s the guy everyone looks for when they need something to happen.
9. Bruno fernandes— Manchester United
Regardless of Manchester United’s inconsistency, Bruno Fernandes remains one of the league’s most relentless creators. He attempts more risk passes than any midfielder in England and while not every one comes off, he’s the kind of playmaker who forces breakthroughs rather than waiting for them.
8. Mohammed Salah — Liverpool
Salah is widely known as a goalscorer, but over the past two seasons he has evolved into a dual creator-finisher. His chemistry with Trent Alexander-Arnold has turned Liverpool’s right flank into a production line of chances.
Even when he’s not scoring, he’s drawing defenders, releasing overlapping runners or slipping teammates through. He is Liverpool’s most consistent source of goal involvement — not just goals.
7. Morgan Rogers — Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers is one of the Premier League’s most subtle creators. Rather than threading killer passes, he manipulates defenders with movement. He receives between the lines, carries forward, and forces shape shifts that open spaces for others. Under Unai Emery, he plays like a hybrid No.8/10.
6. Adam Wharton — Crystal Palace
Wharton’s what, 21? Plays with the calm of a guy who’s been around since the stone age. He’s always available for the ball, never panics, and actually looks for risky passes. He’s starting Palace’s moves from deep, and you can already see he’s going to be one of those midfielders everyone talks about in a few years. Not your average “young talent” story.
5. Granit Xhaka — Sunderland
Yeah, it’s wild seeing Xhaka in a Sunderland shirt, but honestly, this is where he gets to be the main man. At Arsenal, he was part of the machine.
Here, he is the machine. Diagonals, disguised passes, barking orders—the whole midfield runs on his energy. Proof that you don’t need a Champions League squad around you to dictate a game.
4. Jérémy Doku — Manchester City
Doku’s a different breed. Most creators pass, Doku just breaks ankles. He’ll run at a wall of defenders, drag three guys out of position, and suddenly City have a gap to exploit. Even if he doesn’t get the assist, he’s the chaos agent that makes it all happen.
3. Bukayo Saka — Arsenal
Saka is just relentless. Give him the ball, even with two defenders glued to his back, and he’ll still make something happen. Crosses, cutbacks, little slipped passes—he’s the one Arsenal look for when they need magic. Defenders know what’s coming, but stopping him? Different problem.
2. Mohammed Kudus — Tottenham Hotspur
Kudus at Spurs is just vibes. He’s unpredictable, smart, and carries himself like he knows he’s the answer to their creative drought post-Eriksen. He’ll dribble past you, combine with the midfield, or just pick a killer pass.
1. Jack Grealish — Everton (on loan from Manchester City)
Grealish at Everton is a whole new animal. At City, he had to share the spotlight. Now, everything runs through him. He’s slowing the game down, speeding it up, demanding the ball every time Everton cross halfway.
