In tight, cagey contests, playmakers are required to find the gaps that help unlock an opposition defence, and these stars are Europe's finest when it comes to doing so this season.
When a player demonstrates the ability to create chances during a football match, it represents for many the essence of football – it is the spark that ignites spectacular, memorable moments. Whether it is a beautiful through-ball, a perfectly whipped cross into the box, or beating a defender with the use of outrageous skill moves, these are the types of moments that inject life and energy into the beautiful game.
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Not to mention, they are so important to the set-up of a team because in those moments when, after much penetration, the attacking side is struggling to create chances, these players step up with moments of brilliance that could very well change the outcome of the entire encounter.
Based on evidence from football statistics website FBref, the best creative players across Europe's top five leagues (the Bundesliga, the Premier League, LALIGA, Serie A, and Ligue 1) come from the EPL, Germany's top flight and France's first division. Statistics suggest that these stars made the most shot-creating actions (SCA), which are the offensive actions leading directly to a shot on goal. This can include passes, take-ons, and drawing fouls in their respective leagues.
5. Leroy Sane
Bayern Munich are currently second on the Bundesliga table, eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen after losing two of their past three matches. While Sane may be experiencing a dry patch in more recent times, his contributions this season has still been very good. Out of the Bavarians' 63 goals they've managed to net thus far, the German has been directly involved in 19 of them, with eight goals and 11 assists.
He has also managed 130 SCA, with 88 of them being passes coming in open play, while 12 of his passes from live-play has led to a goal. The winger is also renowned for his ability to run at defenders with the ball at his feet, something that has been evident this season as nine of his successful take-ons led to shot attempts.
4. Bukayo Saka
Arsenal's "Starboy" has become such an important figure in Mikel Arteta's set-up, and upon looking at the numbers, one could see why. The England international has thus far made 137 actions leading to shots, 98 of them coming from open play, 21 from dead-ball situations, and six from successful take-ons. Arsenal are third after scoring the second-most goals in the league this season, behind only EPL leaders Liverpool.
3. Martin Odegaard
The Norway star has registered 139 actions leading to shots, at a rate of 6.17 per 90 minutes, demonstrating the attacking midfielder's prowess when it comes to creating chances.
He is also the player on this list with the most passes leading to shots during open play. It can be argued, however, that his statistics of five goals and six assists in 23 matches are not a true reflection of just how creative he has been for his side during the course of the current campaign.
2. Teji Savanier
The 32-year-old has gone under the radar this season. This may be due to the fact that his goals and assists statistics, like Odegaard, perhaps do not reflect the influence he has been having on games for his team, French club Montpellier. He has so far managed a remarkable 6.41 SCA per game, equating to a total of 142.
His dead-ball skills have led him to creating 43 shots from set-piece situations. His club, though, have been struggling as they rank 15th in Ligue 1, fighting to get away from the dreaded relegation zone, so they will be hoping Savanier's creative ability will lead to the goals that will save them from the drop.
1. Bruno Fernandes
Things have just not come together for the Portuguese and his Manchester United side, who are sixth on the EPL table with their latest league result being a 2-1 loss to Fulham at Old Trafford. Fernandes has managed just three goals and five assists in 25 games this campaign, but a remarkable 152 of his actions have created shooting opportunities. Only 15, however, have led to goals, which is perhaps indicative of the Red Devils' troubles going forward as they have managed to score just 36 goals in 26 EPL games.
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