Football is an ever-changing behemoth, with many positional trends rising and falling over the years.
One of the most prominent moves of the last decade or so has been the rise of wing-playmakers. That’s not the same thing as wingers, there are still plenty of them, but the propensity for teams to take a player that, in the 90’s would have been a true “no. 10” and move him wide onto the wings.
Here the player can go outside, but more often cuts inside to pick passes and be his team’s reference in the final third. Leo Messi is the best example of this kind of player from both a tactical and technical standpoint, but he’s now been moved to a false nine role at Barcelona.
So who is the best wing-playmaker in Messi’s wake? Who makes up the top 10? We here at Squawka have had a look and come up with the following list:
10. Marcus Rashford
Manchester United
Originally a striker (and it probably still is his best position) Marcus Rashford has transformed himself into a reliable wing-playmaker. Using his supreme pace and underrated passing ability, Rashford can blow by opponents inside or out, using his pace and the threat of a shot to create wonderful chances for his team-mates. The lead player in United’s dynamic double-act on the left.
-Muhammad Butt, Features Writer
9. Julian Draxler
PSG
Everybody expected Julian Draxler to be sidelined after PSG obliterated the world transfer record to sign Neymar and while the news of the Brazilian’s arrival wouldn’t have exactly been music to his ears, he has responded in perfect fashion.
Draxler has re-established himself at PSG less than a year after his arrival in the French capital, starting in their last four Ligue 1 matches either from a right wing position or in a central attacking role, after almost exclusively lining up as an inside forward on the left after his arrival in January.
A positional switch doesn’t seem to have affected Draxler unduly as he has completed 11/13 take ons in Ligue 1 as well as scoring a goal and providing an assist.
-Oli Young-Myles, Ball CTRL Editor
8. Anthony Martial
Manchester United
The second half of United’s left-wing double-act, Martial is often coming off the bench these days but he’s making the most of those chances to absolutely destroy pretty much everyone that stands in his way in limited minutes. Martial’s uncanny dribbling ability pairs with his excellent technique and selfless vision to provide thrust and impetus to United as the Red Devils come to life late in games, slaughtering opponents with Martial leading the way.
-Muhammad Butt, Features Writer
7. Thomas Lemar
Monaco
An attacking left-footed player who generally lines up on the left wing, Thomas Lemar must be an orthodox, out-and-out winger, right? Well not necessarily.
While the Frenchman has the ability to ghost past defenders down the flank and whip dangerous crosses into the box, he actually tends to line up in the half-space, leaving the whole flank to his full back – first Benjamin Mendy and now Jorge – to gallop into.
That is because he is far more cute with his passing than generally given credit for, demonstrated by his 14 chances created for Monaco this season, a total which is higher than any other player has managed at the club.
-Oli Young-Myles, Ball CTRL Editor
6. Ousmane Dembélé
Barcelona
Injury has derailed the start to his Barcelona career but Ousmane Dembélé is an absolutely magnificent wing-playmaker. Able to operate on either flank with earth-shattering pace and a wonderful creative edge, Dembélé uses either foot as a magic wand to create chances for his team-mates in droves. Luis Suárez will benefit enormously when Dembélé finally integrates into the Barça side.
-Muhammad Butt, Features Writer
5. Bernardo Silva
Manchester City
Although he’s being slowly integrated into the Manchester City side following his move from Monaco, you can see why Pep Guardiola was so keen to sign Bernardo Silva: in terms of style, he is one of the closest players there is to Lionel Messi.
In another generation, Silva would have thrived as a free-roaming No.10 due to his exceptional close control, ability to glide past defenders at will and slide passes through the eye of a needle to his forward teammates.
But in the modern game, he’s had to adapt to become an inverted winger on the right wing and judging by his displays for Monaco and Portugal, he has done so seamlessly.
-Oli Young-Myles, Ball CTRL Editor
4. Lorenzo Insigne
Napoli
Napoli are one of the most exciting teams to watch right now and a key member of their side is a diminutive attacker who hails from the city of Naples.
A product of the Napoli academy, Lorenzo Insigne has developed into one of their most devastating forward players in Italian football in recent seasons and is part of a formidable four-man attack that also includes Marek Hamsik, Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens.
Nippy across the ground, capable of scoring a goal out of nothing and a creative threat from his post on the left wing, Insigne has it all and if Napoli are to win a trophy that their football deserves this season, he will surely have a big part to play.
-Oli Young-Myles, Ball CTRL Editor
3. Coutinho
Liverpool
Barcelona were ready to pay an exorbitant amount of money to secure Philippe Coutinho this summer, but Liverpool refused to sell. One can see why Barça were so prepared to jump all-in on the Brazilian. He’s an excellent force who can push the tempo of his side whilst never losing an incisive creative touch; the ability to thread the eye of a needle or make the right flick or pass. Coutinho is a sensational creative force out wide and Liverpool fans must be praying he stays with them long-term.
-Muhammad Butt, Features Writer
2. Eden Hazard
Chelsea
Everyone has become so accustomed to watching Eden Hazard waltz infield from the left wing that is difficult to remember he was regarded as a No.10 when he was starting his career with Lille and the Belgian national team.
Hazard’s almost unparalleled dribbling ability – since the start of the 2013-14 season, only Lionel Messi has completed more take ons (602) than Hazard (551) in Europe’s top five leagues – means he is generally regarded as a winger.
However, he can be just as devastating in a central position as evidenced by his electric display in Chelsea’s recent 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid whne he played as a No.10 in Antonio Conte’s 3-5-1-1 system.
-Oli Young-Myles, Ball CTRL Editor
1. Neymar
PSG
Neymar is the second best player in the world and this summer became the most expensive player in the world. PSG forked over a small fortune to sign him from Barcelona and it’s obvious why. Neymar is a superhumanly gifted wing-playmaker, creating 119 chances in league play since the start of last season.
Speaking of last season he was the top assist-maker in the Champions League, the most notable of which was the brilliant chipped pass for Sergi Roberto’s goal that capped Barcelona’s impossible 6-1 comeback victory (against PSG of all teams).
Basically he’s a dynamo on the flank, driving by opponents with terrifying pace and dribbling skills. Since he came to Europe no one can match his 191 completed take-ons in the Champions League, nor his 19 assists. And in league play since then only Leo Messi (602) and Eden Hazard (551) can top his 539 take-ons. Put the two competitions together and only Messi’s 788 take-ons and 62 assists are above his 730 take-ons and 61 assists. Neymar is a creative genius.
With Messi playing centrally, there’s no wing-playmaker can is anywhere near as dominant as Neymar.
-Muhammad Butt, Features Writer
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