Player Focus: Leighton Baines Is Europe's Most Creative Defender

When discussing the creative players in the world of football, it's a normality that the usual suspects will crop up in conversation. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi, amongst others, will be the first that any football connoisseur will look towards to provide that spark which will lead to a goalscoring opportunity, be it in the real world or in the virtual realm of FIFA.

These stars are vital in the quest the secure domestic and continental glory, regardless of the stature of the team, and it's crucial they can find the necessary space to work their magic in and around the 18 yard box, much like the superior creators of the games' past; Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini, to name three.

The performer in the number 10 role is of the upmost importance, especially in the modern game with the onus on ball retention, recycling of possession, drawing defenders out of position and ensuring an endless supply of opportunities be created for the strikers, even if they fail to score on a consistent basis. 

Yet, while Andrea Pirlo, Francesco Totti and Mesut Ozil have all provided the opportunity for the likes of Mirko Vucinic, Pablo Osvaldo and Karim Benzema, respectively, to hit the back of the net, the trio fall behind the creative exploits of Everton left-back Leighton Baines where it really matters on the football pitch. 

The 28-year-old Kirby born defender has once again been a revelation for the Toffees this season as David Moyes' side remain in with an outside chance of securing a European place with only 12 points up for grabs between now and the end of the season. 

With Ashley Cole turning 33 later this year, and Brazil 2014 a little over 12 months away, there have been those that are calling for Baines to succeed the Chelsea man in the national set-up, regardless of the exploits of Kieran Gibbs for Arsenal, and his performances for Everton this term reinforce the point.

While Baines' defensive contributions are somewhat worse off than Cole over the course of the season, there is no denying the latter is stronger when it comes to assisting his attacking teammates, providing five and netting a further five, directly contributing to a little under 20% of Everton's 51 goals. 

Forming a highly effective partnership with Steven Pienaar - dubbed the “Underlap” by Gary Neville - it's no surprise to have seen the duo deserving of the plaudits this term, but while the South African has seen his form somewhat deteriorate into the later months of the season, Baines has continuously delivered for Moyes when it's mattered most.  

In fact, when it comes to key passes per game, Baines is the fourth best across Europe's top five leagues. Based on both home and away form, the Everton left-back is averaging 3.1 per game, a figure only bettered by David Silva, Jefferson Farfan and Mathieu Valbuena, of Manchester City, FC Schalke 04 and Marseille, respectively.

More notably is the positioning of the trio ahead of Baines in that list - all three play in a more advanced role for their club, whereas the former Wigan Athletic ace is called upon to provide the creative threat from deep.

Furthermore, Baines is the only defender in the top 10 key passers in across Europe's top five leagues, with Reading's Nicky Shorey the only other defender in the top 20 list. It perhaps sees his placing garner much more acclaim for his creative exploits on the pitch, with the England international creating 0.2 fewer chances per game than first-placed Silva. 

However, this is largely as a result of Baines being Everton's designated free kick and corner taker, highlighted in the defender creating the most chances from set pieces (50) in the Premier League this season, while the left-back has made the most accurate crosses from corners (46) as well, surely helped by having the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jagielka in his side.

When factoring in key passes and assists from both set pieces and open play, that figure jumps to 105, with Silva the closest to the Toffees left-back, with 93. This further highlights his importance to Everton's attacking impetus, with the need for the defender to push forward and support an attack that has seen the goals dry up considerably since the turn of the year, with Moyes' side netting on average 1.2 goals per game in 2013 compared to 1.65 in 2012. 

For a player that operates in defence to have been such an influence on his side's creativity this season is a testament to not only Baines' capabilities as a performer, but also his tenacity and stamina to provide such a threat from left-back.

It further highlights his importance to Everton and reinforces the opinion of many that he should be England's next left-back after Ashley Cole, with interest in Baines from rival teams supposedly high and evidently for a good reason.