Best Premier League passers: Which players have the best range? | OneFootball

The Premier League is home to some of the world’s best passers.

Historically, many talented ball distributors have made their mark in England’s top division, including legends like Paul Scholes, Xabi Alonso, and David Silva, among others. With 2024 close to ending, it’s time to highlight the top-performing passers in the competition this year, ranked by their Squawka Score, with this only including players who have played at least 1000 minutes.

The types of passes that are factored into the rating encompass a variety of techniques, including long passes exceeding 35 yards, through passes that penetrate defensive lines, chipped passes that arc over opponents, lay-off passes that set-up teammates, pull-back passes that create space, flick-on passes that redirect the ball, open-play crosses that deliver the ball into the penalty area, and standard passes executed during active play.

10. Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister has adapted to playing under two different managers at Liverpool this year, yet his fundamental role on the pitch has remained consistent despite changes in tactical formation. Transitioning into a double pivot position, he has shifted from his previous tendency to navigate in the space between the number six and ten roles. Nevertheless, the Argentine world champion continues to excel as a key distributor of the ball. In 2024, Mac Allister ranks in the 80-95 percentile range compared to all players in the Premier League regarding his successful execution of through balls, chipped passes, and lay-off passes.

9. Phil Foden

Phil Foden was recognised as the Premier League’s best player at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season. His recent form has been anything but as Manchester City have encountered difficulties in recent weeks. That being said, he’s still an exceptional passer of the ball, which are crucial for a Pep Guardiola-led team. One of Foden’s standout abilities is his proficiency in lay-off passes, where he successfully receives the ball with his back to the goal and deftly redirects it to a teammate. In 2024, he has averaged 2.27 lay-off passes per 90 minutes, placing him just behind Lucas Paquetá, who leads with an average of 2.4.

8. Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White has started to receive well-deserved recognition for his talents. He recently made his debut for the England senior team, a milestone that rewarded his outstanding performances with Nottingham Forest, where he has demonstrated an exceptional passing ability. Known for his skilful through balls, Gibbs-White achieved an impressive average of 0.26 successful through balls per 90 minutes in 2024, positioning him in the 95th percentile among all players in the Premier League.

7. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion in this list was expected, but it is still surprising to see him ranked so low, which shows the calibre of competition in England’s top division. The dynamic Liverpool full-back stands unparalleled in his position, particularly excelling in his ability to deliver crosses, averaging 3.78 completed per 90 minutes and 1.05 from open play. Furthermore, he leads all right-backs and ranks third overall in the Premier League for chipped passes. His exceptional skill lies in completing long passes, defined as accurate passes over 35 yards while excluding throw-ins, crosses, and goalkeeping throws. In 2024, he leads the field with an impressive average of 4.83 per 90 minutes.

6. Bruno Guimarães

Bruno Guimarães, a versatile asset for Newcastle, has demonstrated his ability to excel in various midfield roles. Currently occupying the number six position, he has effectively highlighted his exceptional passing range. He ranks in the 95th percentile among all Premier League players for completed through balls, showcasing his precision and vision on the field. Additionally, Guimarães is proficient in executing chipped passes, averaging 3.01 successful aerial passes per 90 minutes, which reflects his capability to deliver effective passes that travel through the air rather than along the ground, excluding crosses.

5. Dominik Szoboszlai

Szoboszlai, primarily recognised for his exceptional off-the-ball movement and relentless work ethic, has also demonstrated a remarkable passing ability this season while playing as Liverpool’s deep-lying forward. His performance metrics highlight his proficiency in completing lay-off and pull-back passes, which are crucial for a player positioned behind the striker, particularly when the role demands making runs beyond the forward. This combination of skills enhances his contribution to the team’s attacking dynamics and underscores his versatility and importance in the squad.

4. James Maddison

Since his arrival at Tottenham last summer, James Maddison has been deployed in various roles, including a more withdrawn position this season. This shift has not impeded his passing abilities; rather, it has provided him with an opportunity to highlight this particular strength of his skill set. Maddison excels in several key passing metrics, ranking in the 95th percentile for through balls with an average of 0.26 per 90 minutes, lay-off passes at 2.16 per 90 minutes, and pull-back passes at 0.13 per 90 minutes. The latter statistic refers to his successful execution of passes directed backward to a teammate after he has advanced to the byline, demonstrating his versatility and playmaking prowess on the field.

3. Enzo Fernández

An astute reader of the game, Fernández’s main objective is to thwart the opposing team, utilising flawless tackling or strategic interceptions. Upon gaining possession, he must efficiently recycle the ball, and describing his performance as exemplary would be an understatement. Only two players have surpassed him in completing chipped passes, and he also ranks prominently in the categories of completed through balls and successful flick-ons. The latter refers to the total number of deftly “flicked” passes to a teammate, typically involving a header.

2. Kevin De Bruyne

There may never have been a more remarkable playmaker in the history of the Premier League than Kevin De Bruyne, who is now approaching the later stages of his career. Nevertheless, the Belgian star continues to shine brightly; as of 2024, he holds the second position for completed through balls, averaging 0.73 per 90 minutes, and also excels in open play crosses, with an average of 1.24 per 90 minutes. Additionally, he maintains a strong ranking in terms of completed lay-off passes, further underscoring his enduring impact on the game.

1. Bruno Fernandes

Is it reasonable to assert that Manchester United are squandering the talents of Bruno Fernandes? The club currently possesses the league’s top ball distributor, yet the results do not reflect this advantage. Fernandes excels in various metrics, ranking in the 95th percentile for through balls, chipped crosses, and lay-off passes completed, while also demonstrating proficiency in executing long passes and flick-ons. Given the significant number of chances he generates, it is perplexing that the Red Devils are lagging behind their rival. History has shown that a single player can significantly influence a team’s performance, but in this instance, Fernandes requires greater support from his teammates to elevate United out of their current predicament.