Five Premier League playmakers to watch out during the 2023-24 season
Playmakers are the foundation of possession-based football and the architects of defeating the opposition. They create opportunities, pounce on loose passes to start or stop attacks, and serve as a crucial link between the first and final thirds.
Ryan Giggs, Dennis Bergkamp, and Wayne Rooney are some of the premier playmakers in the Premier League. In addition to their other playmaking contributions, they have been attributed with a record 376 assists during their reign.
After these great playmakers departed, the Premier League did not experience a lack of elite playmakers. There are still technically proficient midfielders who can direct play and create opportunities for their colleagues on all of the elite Premier League teams.
Without further ado, let’s examine five of the Premier League’s top playmakers to observe in the upcoming season (2023-24).
#5 Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Alexis Mac Allister, an Argentine midfielder, recently transferred to Liverpool for £35 million plus add-ons. Since joining the team in 2019, he has been a notable member of Brighton & Hove Albion. Last season, Mac Allister had the finest performance of his career, leading Brighton in contributions with 10 goals and two assists. Additionally, he won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
The Liverpool fanbase already views him as a successor to former captain Jordan Henderson, who just concluded his transfer to Al Ettifaq of the Saudi Pro League. They are anxiously anticipating his performance in the ongoing preseason prior to the August start of the regular season.
In the forthcoming 2023–24 season, Arsenal’s most in-form player, Bukayo Saka, will be an exciting playmaker to keep an eye on. Since making his Premier League debut in January 2019, the Hale End graduate has made an undeniable name for himself.
Bukayo Saka has evolved into one of the English Premier League’s most devastating right playmakers. Many consider the Nigerian-born youth to be one of the world’s top five right-wingers. His talents and performances have garnered widespread acclaim and recognition.
Saka recorded 14 goals and 11 assists in 38 Premier League appearances during the previous campaign. After seven years, he was instrumental in Arsenal’s return to the UEFA Champions League. Bukayo Saka was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons due to his outstanding play. In addition, he was a member of the winning team that defeated the treble victors in the Community Shield on August 6th.
Bukayo Saka, who is only 21 years old, is expected to become a football legend as he continues to develop and grow in all aspects of his game.
#3 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
On the field, Bruno Fernandes has always been a dynamic player beloved by the majority of Manchester United supporters. He is a constant presence in the middle of the field and has the technical skill and speed to create opportunities out of pure air.
The Portuguese has been one of the most important players in Manchester United’s revival under Erik ten Hag. He has always been a formidable forward alongside Casemiro and Marcus Rashford, who helped the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League last season.
In 37 Premier League appearances last season, Fernandes scored eight goals and assisted on eight others. He generated the most opportunities (119) in the league.
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard is ranked second.
Arsenal supporters view Martin Odegaard as the successor to playmaking prodigy Mesut Ozil. He possesses excellent technique and game-reading abilities. The Norwegian playmaker makes playmaking appear effortless by gliding and threading his way through the lines.
Odegaard’s extraordinary passing in confined spaces has made a significant difference for Arsenal in the final third. In 37 Premier League games last season, the Arsenal captain scored 15 goals and dished out seven assists, establishing a new personal best.
Last season, the 23-year-old was also named captain of Arsenal, which speaks volumes about his leadership and abilities.
1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne, regarded as one of the world’s most complete midfielders, has been crucial to Manchester City’s success under Pep Guardiola. The Belgian’s unique qualities are his ability to initiate play, locate colleagues with pinpoint accuracy, and score from long range.
Last season, he relished playing alongside Erling Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine, as the attacker scored 52 goals in 53 games. Last season, De Bruyne made 32 Premier League appearances for Manchester City and contributed 16 assists, which tied for the most among Europe’s top five divisions.
