When you think of some of Europe’s best midfielders and creators you think of Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric and David Silva. Even the likes of Eden Hazard and Neymar seem to create loads of chances per game along with of course Lionel Messi.
Yet all of these giant names and the rest of the Premier League are this season, less creative than a precocious English talent. Nobody has created more chances in the top five European leagues this season than Leicester City’s James Maddison. The number ten is having a corking campaign in his debut season in the top flight of English football having been bought from Norwich for around £24 million.
Only Alejandro Darío Gómez from Atalanta has equaled him with 69 chances created this season, according to Squawka. This means Maddison at just 22-years-old has been more creative this season that Lionel Messi (62), Dimitri Payet (66) and Memphis Depay (67).
In terms of the rest of the Premier League, Eden Hazard comes closest with 59 chances created, surprisingly followed by Chelsea teammate Willian on 58. Other big names such as Mo Salah are down on 47 whilst David Silva and Christian Eriksen are on 44 and 43 respectively.
Maddison has recorded just five goals and five assists this season which seems a little low given the amount of chances he has created for his teammates. Hopefully, Brendan Rodgers will improve Leicester’s ruthlessness in front of goal and further Maddison’s career, allowing him to develop as a player.
If this is what he has been doing under a defensive manager like Claude Puel, in his first season in the Premier League. Imagine how effective he will be under Brendan Rodgers next season, when he used to the pace of the Premier League. Mouth-watering.
