In a campaign that has had pretty much nearly everything from a World Cup break to an enthralling relegation battle, this Premier League season will certainly live in the memory as one that has delivered on drama, talking points and some fantastic goals.
We’ve been spoiled in many ways, considering the quality of football that’s been played, with this being perhaps one of the most goal-heavy seasons fans of the top-flight have seen in a long time.
Last week, Mail Sport last delved into what’s made this season one of the most prolific in recent memory, but perhaps a lot of that is down to some of the superb talents that have arrived on the scene in recent years.
Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season, Erling Haaland, landed in Manchester last summer and, as expected, dazzled us with his epic goal scoring feats.
While he is perhaps the standout of what is right now a league that is brimming with quality players, as the curtain falls and the dust settles on another season, it’s time to reflect on who else has stood out this season.
Manchester United’s midfielder Casemiro (pictured) has been a shining light for Erik ten Hag’s side this season
Since moving from Man City in the summer, Oleksandr Zinchenko has also been instrumental for the Gunners
While goals win you games, sometimes the most important players in any side are those that are cool, calm and collected on the ball and can create chances for more attacking players to score goals.
Earlier today The Athletic released their guide to the ‘Alternative Premier League Awards’ and have given us an interesting list of statistics, provided by Opta, that reveal the best passers under pressure per 90 minutes.
While we all know that the Premier League is one of the fastest and most demanding in Europe, with players in attacking positions getting literally moments on the ball before they have to re-distribute it, there are some interesting surprises on this list.
Working from the bottom, Phil Foden, Jorginho, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Alexis MacAllister and Casemiro are all ranked inside the bottom five of the League’s 20 best passers when under pressure.
But The Athletic have revealed the stats for the best players for passing under pressure and Casemiro and Zinchenko have been overtaken by several players including two Newcastle stars
The Athletic also clarify that by ‘under pressure’, they mean when a player is being approached by an opponent who is less than two metres away from them.
Above them, Joao Cancelo interestingly makes the cut inside the the top 20 players, despite having been on loan at Bayern Munich for half of the season, after his shock Man City exit.
Some big names are included in the middle order, with Roberto Firminol, Matteo Kovacic and Martin Odegaard all featuring.
But Newcastle’s Joelinton, who has flourished under Eddie Howe, is one of the eye catching additions here, with his placement in tenth showing once again just how brilliant he can be with the ball at his feet, following a stand-out season.
According to Opta, the Brazilian made 19.1 passes per 90 minutes under pressure with a 77 percent success rate, that’s impressive, especially considering he was once called a ‘wild chicken’ by his manager at Rapid Vienna.
Chelsea fans will also be pleased to see their British record transfer, Enzo Fernandez, sat inside the top five, after he arrived in January for £107million, but it’s the top two players who have caught our eye.
Edging Jack Grealish in third place, is Bruno Guimaraes, who boasts an 83 per cent pass success rate from 23.5 passes under pressure this season.
The 24-year-old has been a pivotal cog in Howe’s midfield this season and is one of the most talented players in their squad, featuring in 40 games this season across all competitions for the Magpies.
But the leaderboard is topped by none other than Rodri, who has been imperious in the holding position of Pep Guardiola’s midfield this season.
Joelinton (right) has been excellent for Newcastle this season and has proved he is one of the best technical players in the League
Bruno Guimaraes (left) sits inside the top-five, being a standout in Eddie Howe’s side this season
But it is Rodri (pictured) who claims the top spot after being imperious in Pep Guardiola’s midfield throughout the campaign
The Spaniard has made 25.4 passes under pressure per 90 minutes with an 86 percent success rate
The Spaniard has made 25.4 passes under pressure with an 86 per cent success rate and while it’s no surprise to see him at the top, considering his brilliance on the ball, physicality breaking up play and commanding presence in the middle of the park, those stats show just how good he has been this year for the league champions.
Rodri is set to be pushed by Kalvin Phillips next season, who, despite having gone through a turbulent campaign that’s been hampered by injury and fitness issues, is looking to become ‘undroppable’ in Guardiola’s side.
Yet, with a plethora of excellent on-ballers in his midfield, Guardiola really does have a lot of talent to work with, with four of his players featuring on this list.
But it is Rodri who reigns supreme as the coolest passer under pressure in the Premier League.
