WHO ARE THE MOST CREATIVE PLAYERS OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON?

Martin Odegaard logged a ludicrous 15 SCAs v Chelsea as James Maddison just about stays ahead of the pack.

We’re not counting the assist-makers because that relies on the chances being taken and we’re not counting the key passes because that is also pretty narrow; we are all about the SCA (Shot creating actions), defined as ‘the two offensive actions directly leading to a shot, such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls’ by FBRef.

These are the leaders this season for SCAs per 90 minutes…

1) James Maddison (Tottenham) – 6.85 SCAs per 90 mins

The summer signing adapted to Spurs and Ange-ball seamlessly but a serious injury has taken its toll and there’s no doubt that he returned rather less dynamic. But he will stay top of this list because of those Autumn efforts.

2) Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) – 6.22

Brilliant in recent weeks and he logged a ludicrous 15 SCAs v Chelsea as Arsenal won 5-0.

3) Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) – 6.12

Definitely a lack of end product but he creates carnage with the ball at his feet. Just the 15 SCAs v Luton, is it? And back-to-back assists v Aston Villa and the Hatters.

4) Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 6.06

At the creative heart of Manchester United whether they are absolutely awful or slightly less awful.

5) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 5.72

Nine Premier League assists for the season as he stepped up v Wolves and then Chelsea as Arsenal’s season got back on track.

6) Luis Diaz (Liverpool) – 5.60

Becoming a particularly effective forward (if you ignore the wayward finishing).

Pascal Gross (Brighton) – 5.42

His dead balls are particularly brilliant but he is an all-round creative force.

8) Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 5.41

The one bright spot for Chelsea in a pretty dismal season; he can take some pleasure from being ahead of many of his old City teammates here, including Phil Foden.

9) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – 5.29

Returned v Crystal Palace and was as sloppy as his teammates. But he was excellent v Fulham as Liverpool recovered.

10) Willian (Fulham) – 5.14

Now 87 and still pretty bloody unplayable at times.

2023-09-09T08:29:16Z dg43tfdfdgfd