With a host of international games heralding in September, we thought we’d look back and pick out the best all-round attacking performers for the month gone by. To qualify, players had to demonstrate a consistency right across the three main areas for attacking performance- shots, key passes and successful dribbles.
Setting the minimum requirement for each category at two per game, we trawled the top five leagues (obviously, Serie A has yet to kick off) to find the most impressive five performers across the board. La Liga may only have seen one round of matches so far, but is it really a surprise that Lionel Messi already leads the way? Here’s the lowdown on those stand-out performers.
Lionel Messi, Barcelona. WhoScored rating 10.
This season’s La Liga campaign may have been late to open but the little maestro is already fast out the blocks and replicating the form of last term. Barcelona’s opening day 5-0 win over Villarreal was impressive from a number of angles- new boys Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez both scored on their league debuts and young Thiago Alcantara also shone -picking up a perfect 10 for his display- but once again it was Messi who stole the show with a man of the match performance.
The Argentine is highest for all three categories in our top five- against Villarreal, he had 5 shots at goal -scoring with 2 of his attempts- and played 5 key passes, grabbing 1 assist. When it comes to taking an opponent on, again Messi excels- he made 5 successful dribbles last Monday night and also made 76 passes with an 86% accuracy.
Edin Dzeko, Manchester City. WhoScored rating 9.00
A blistering start to the new season sees Dzeko the leading goalscorer in Europe’s top five leagues with 6 goals in Man City’s opening three fixtures. After a difficult debut campaign last time round, it seems the Bosnian has finally adjusted to the fast-paced, physical demands of the Premier League since his move from Wolfsburg in January and City are reaping the benefits.
Dzeko has averaged 4.7 shots per game, scoring in every one of his appearances so far, including the 3-2 Community Shield defeat to Man United. Despite the arrival of Sergio Aguero, he has been City’s biggest goal threat and has also played a huge part creatively, making 3.7 key passes per game, and has been more than a little unlucky not to pick up any assists.
Dzeko has also impressed with his successful dribbles- a tally of 2.3 per game is joint-top for Roberto Mancini’s side and far superior to the likes of Aguero (1.3). Surprisingly, he’s been poor in the air, winning a mere 19%, and has made 35.7 passes per game with a 75% accuracy on his way to picking up 1 man of the match award from WhoScored.
Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich. WhoScored rating 8.47
The Dutchman has played just two of Bayern’s first four Bundesliga matches, helping the club top the table by the end of August. Robben has averaged 3.5 shots (second only to Mario Gomez, on 4.3) and scored 1 goal as well as picking up a man of the match award.
His trickery on the wing has seen him make 3.5 successful dribbles and 2.5 successful crosses per game- the most for his side in both categories, with Franck Ribery next best for dribbles with 2.5. Robben has also been the chief creator for Jupp Heynckes’ side- he has averaged 3.5 key passes from a total of 51.5 passes per game, with a 76% accuracy- again, Ribery sits second with 2.5.
Robben has also shown a strong work-rate so far, making 1.5 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, as Bayern recovered from an early opening day wobble to chalk up three wins on the trot and begin to justify their role as favourites for the title.
David Silva, Manchester City. WhoScored rating 8.35
Man City’s playmaker has been in sensational form this season, helping his side win all three of their opening league fixtures. Silva has been City’s third-highest goal threat, with 3.3 shots per game harvesting 2 goals in August. Averaging 59 passes –with a 92% accuracy- he has produced 2.7 key passes per game, behind Samir Nasri (11) and Edin Dzeko (3.7), but, surprisingly, has yet to pick up an assist for Roberto Mancini’s side.
Silva’s trickery from deep has seen him make 2.3 successful dribbles per game, joint-top with Dzeko, and he has also managed 0.7 crosses and played 0.3 through balls per game. Defensively, his stats are average, though; just 0.7 tackles and 1 interception per game, but Silva hasn’t been purchased for his ball-winning ability- the likes of Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry supply that side of City’s game in central midfield. Silva has also picked up 1 man of the match award from WhoScored and given his start to the season, more can surely be expected.
Eden Hazard, Lille. WhoScored rating 7.75
The French champions may have struggled to hit top form yet but their star winger has been superb; Hazard may have just 1 assist to his name this season but it’s not for a lack of trying. The twenty year old has managed 9 shots over his four games- an average of 2.3 shots per game, second to Moussa Sow (3.8).
Hazard has also created more chances than any Lille player, with 2.8 key passes per game coming from an average 52 passes, with an 81% accuracy. On the wing, his trickery has bedazzled opponents- 3 successful dribbles and 2.5 successful crosses are top for each category amongst Rudi Garcia’s squad. Hazard has shown a willingness to graft, too, with 1.5 tackles and 1 interception per game, and has picked up 1 man of the match award so far for a series of eye-catching performances.
