5 midfielders with the best passing ability in Europe this season (2022-23)

Midfielders form the backbone of a football team. They dictate the speed of the game, bring players into the fold, and carve open defenses by playing inch-perfect through balls into dangerous areas. Midfielders seldom enjoy the glory attackers do, but without them, the entire system tends to fall apart.

The top five European leagues have the privilege of fielding some of the most gifted midfielders on the planet. Many of the said world-class footballers have dazzled onlookers with their crisp passes this season, and today, we will briefly review their performances.

Now, without further ado, let’s take a swift look at the five midfielders with the best passing ability in the 2022-23 season:


#5 Toni Kroos — Real Madrid

Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga Santander
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF – LaLiga Santander

For close to a decade, Real Madrid maestro Toni Kroos has reigned as one of Europe’s most efficient players. The German central midfield player is not as adventurous as some of the other names on this list today. However, when it comes to dictating play, there is hardly anyone better than the Real Madrid no. 8.

Kroos is adept at playing short passes and keeping the opposition on their toes. He also has the innate ability to switch play to wide areas with his long balls and is rarely dispossessed under pressure. In the 2022-23 La Liga season, Kroos averages 74.5 accurate passes (95% accuracy) and 6.3 accurate long balls (86% accuracy) per game. Overall, Kroos has played 15 La Liga matches this term, scoring twice and claiming two assists.

In the Champions League, he claimed two assists in five group-stage matches. There, he averaged 86.5 accurate passes (95% accuracy), eight long balls (87% accuracy), and 2.2 key passes per game.


#4 Joshua Kimmich — Bayern Munich

FC Bayern München v Eintracht Frankfurt - Bundesliga
FC Bayern München v Eintracht Frankfurt – Bundesliga

Bayern Munich’s right-back turned central midfielder Joshua Kimmich has been in red-hot form in the 2022-23 season. The Germany international has featured in 18 games in the Bundesliga this season, scoring thrice, providing three assists and creating six big chances. Kimmich averages 2.7 key passes, 70.4 accurate passes (89% accuracy), and 5.4 long balls (74% accuracy) per game in the Bundesliga.

Con este GOLAZO de Kimmich, el Bayern empató al Köln en los minutos finales del partido 🤩🤯. https://t.co/Prr3ogu3Kp

In the Champions League group stage, Kimmich claimed three assists and created four big chances in five games. He averaged 68.2 accurate passes (91% accuracy), 4.2 accurate long balls (68% accuracy), and 2.2 key passes in that round.


#3 Luka Modric — Real Madrid

Real Madrid v Valencia CF - Super Copa de España
Real Madrid v Valencia CF – Super Copa de España

Despite being firmly on the wrong side of 30, 37-year-old central midfielder Luka Modric has been one of Real Madrid’s best players this season. The Croatian superstar has been immaculate with his distribution, has worked harder than most, and has created goalscoring opportunities quite frequently.

In the 2022-23 La Liga campaign, Modric has featured in 17 matches, scoring twice, creating five big chances, and providing two assists. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder averages 1.3 key passes, 43.8 accurate passes (90% accuracy), and 2.4 accurate long balls (77% accuracy) per game.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist also looked sharp in the group stage of the 2022-23 Champions League, scoring twice in four games. He averaged 56.2 accurate passes (90% accuracy), 3.2 long balls (59% accuracy), and 0.8 key passes each game.


#2 Kevin De Bruyne — Manchester City

Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League

Arguably the best midfielder in the world right now, Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne is in a league of his own. Not only can he dictate the tempo of the game with his short passes in the middle of the park but also do damage with his defense-piercing passes higher up. An in-form De Bruyne can take on any midfield unit in the world and come out on top.

Since the start of the 2022-23 Premier League season, the Belgian has played 19 games, scoring thrice and providing 11 assists. He has created 20 big chances, the most in Europe; and played 20 accurate through balls. The midfielder averages 44.95 passes per game in the Premier League.

16 – Kevin De Bruyne has provided more assists in all competitions this season than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues (16), with seven of these assists resulting in Erling Haaland goals. Blueprint. https://t.co/fpMKWpiRYk

The former Chelsea man has been impressive in the UEFA Champions League as well. In the group stage, De Bruyne played four games, claiming three assists, creating two big chances, and averaging 2.5 key passes per game.


#1 Martin Odegaard — Arsenal

Arsenal FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Arsenal FC v Manchester United – Premier League

Arsenal are currently sitting at the top of the 2022-23 Premier League table, and their captain, Martin Odegaard, has emerged as the team’s best performer. The former Real Madrid man has been reliable in possession, exhibited immaculate vision, and unlocked defenses with his slide rule through balls.

In the English top flight this season, the Norwegian midfielder has scored eight goals, provided five assists, and created 10 big chances. He averages 34.8 accurate passes (82% accuracy), 2.2 key passes, and 1.6 accurate long balls (64% accuracy) long balls per game.

Mikel Arteta rarely deployed him in the group stages of the 2022-23 Europa League season. He averaged only 37 minutes over six games, starting only two matches. He created two big chances and averaged 1.3 key passes per game.

PSG at only 5th! Paul Merson ranks his 5 favorites for the Champions League this season. Click here

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Edited by Sushan Chakraborty




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“That’s the league won” – Twitter explodes as Arsenal send massive Premier League title statement with thrilling 3-2 win against Manchester United

Eddie Nketiah scored a brace to guide Arsenal to a 3-2 win over Manchester United in a high-energy match in the Premier League on Sunday, January 22.

The game started at a very fast pace, with both sides intent on securing the first goal of the evening at the Emirates Stadium. Early on, just three minutes in, it was Thomas Partey who took the first crack at goal, lashing his left-footed effort just wide. Gabriel Martinelli also had a big chance at goal, but the forward’s shot was blocked by United left-back Luke Shaw.

Arsenal may have been the stronger side in the first 10 minutes, but Manchester United opened the scoring to the shock of the onlooking Gooners. Bruno Fernandes fed the ball to Marcus Rashford and the in-form England international continued his impressive goalscoring streak. He drove past his marker before releasing a powerful strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

The Gunners reacted almost immediately, with Nketiah snatching a shot at goal, but the young forward saw it deflected by a defender. However, just seven minutes after Rashford’s stunning goal, Nketiah added his name to the scoresheet.

He threw the Emirates Stadium into jubilation with his accurate header. Granit Xhaka‘s pin-point cross reached the striker, who put it into the far post to level the score.

Both sides couldn’t add another goal to the scoresheet ahead of the half-time whistle, with their fans having to make do with the level scoreline. However, the goalscoring was not yet at its end, as a thrilling second half was set to follow.


Manchester United and Arsenal score again in the second half

The first half started at a break-neck pace, and the players had no intentions of slowing down in the second half. The Gunners struck the mark again, and this time it was Bukayo Saka who put them ahead in the 53rd minute.

A simple pass from Takehiro Tomiyasu was all that was required, as Saka provided the moment of magic to score his effort. The England international drove inwards from the right flank and curled an absolute beauty into the bottom-left corner, beating David de Gea.

Manchester United were on the back foot but did not back down in their pursuit of the equalizer. Eventually, just on the cusp of half-time, the Red Devils found their mark. Lisandro Martinez scored his first-ever goal in the Premier League with a brilliantly chipped header after Aaron Ramsdale failed to clear a corner.

While it all seemed like the game would end in a draw, Nketiah provided the final touch of class to secure all three points for Arsenal. The forward’s goal required a VAR check for offside, but it was given, putting the Gunners at the top of the league with a five-point gap over Manchester City.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Arsenal’s stunning win over Manchester United:

That’s the league won for Arsenal.

YOUR DEFENCE IS IN TROUBLEEEE NKETIAH IN THE ROOOM!

Arsenal deserve to win the league

All you Nketiah doubters. We’re waiting for that apology. https://t.co/C99fRteU1x

Saka, Zinchenko, Nketiah and Odegaard were all outstanding today

Eddie Nketiah. Spirit. Soul. And body. twitter.com/nonewthing/sta…

@Arsenal IT’S AN EDDIE NKETIAH MASTERCLASS!!!!! COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!

United are more of a test of than they’ve been for years but Eddie Nketiah, Boy to MAN

A great game between two clubs who have both got their mojo back, Arsenal probably more so, fair play to them, They’re a seriously strong unit under Arteta, we move on to the next game, a tough oul week with the swing of results but that’s football for you.

What a game of football, master class from Arteta and Ten Hag.

Trossard showed exactly why Arteta and Edu brought him in. The composure down the homestretch was top

Bro mentored Arteta and handed them 2 key players to win the league with what an idiot

Trossard was very key in that Arsenal’s 3rd goal against Man Utd. Another masterclass by Arteta.

Arteta is building something extraordinary

Erling Haaland & Marcus Rashford are the only players to score more PL goals than Eddie Nketiah since the restart

Should’ve had 2 penalties. Nketiah was offside. Ødegaard obstruction in a dangerous area where we could’ve scored. Ramsdale or Tomiaysu should’ve been given a red card for fouling Rashford.Partey is on the fiend and not in jail.We’ve just witnessed corruption at its finest.

Players holding United back from being serious:- Bruno Fernandes- Wan Bissaka- Rashford as a starter- Antony- Mctominay

@Z_MUFC1 Saka is better than Rashford but I get why you’d think otherwise Rashford has something special about him

Ten Hag is overachieving btw, we never meant to be in the title conversation, fucking give this man some signings you clowns @ManUtd

Ten hag ball is really amazing..Manchester united is really gonna win the premier league 😭😭Stupid clown coach https://t.co/peDdCPcYKr

This game is on Ten Hag. Shit in game management

@UnitedStandMUFC Ten Hag managed the game very poorly, really bad substitutions, but we also have f all option off the bench to change games like this.The hunt for champions league is still firmly on, and we might win a cup, so I won’t get too pissed off, just really frustrating.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are fourth in the table, 11 points behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand.

Paul Merson has predicted the result of Liverpool vs Chelsea and Arsenal vs Man Utd! Click here

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