Is there a more exciting sight in football than a jet-heeled forward leaving countless defenders in his wake? Glad you agree.
Though a creative king, playmaking extraordinaire, the greatest goalscorer of all time, one particular technique will remain forever ingrained with countless memories Lionel Messi dancing beyond dazed opponents, his feet a mesmeric blur. Dribbling. Apparently a dying art in the modern world of passers and playmakers, the little Argentine has ensured the legacy of Stanley Matthews, George Best and co lives on.
Therefore, it will come as something of a surprise to learn that the prince of Barcelona has only embarked upon 62 of his famous darting runs this season, only the ninth highest tally in La Liga, according to Opta. Across the water, meanwhile, six more Premier League stars can lay claim to a higher tally. But who?
Yannick Bolasie – 66 dribbles attempted
Everton’s marquee signing has yet to prove exactly why he’s the second most expensive player in the club’s history, with his 66 attempted dribbles often culminating in shanked crosses and leading into cul-de-sacs. Furthermore, with a cruciate ligament injury potentially ruling him out for the rest of the season, he’d be hard pressed to add to his tally.
Michail Antonio – 66 dribbles attempted
I’m not that refined academy player who’s going to pick the ball up, pass it and be neat and tidy all the time,” the former Tooting and Mitcham man told The Guardian. “I’m a player who’s going to get it and run at the full-back, run in behind … I’m quite ragged. People say ‘raw’.”
Antonio’s upbringing on the craggy turf of non-league has certainly instilled a kind of maverick throwback approach to his game but, oddly, the West Ham winger has often preferred to get on the end of the crosses rather than provide them himself. Antonio has netted 11 headed goals in 2016, a record only matched in a calendar year by Tim ‘double jump’ Cahill in 2010.
Riyad Mahrez – 74 dribbles attempted
Leicester City’s rapid decline has proved a rather dramatic antithesis to their fairytale 2015/16, with PFA Player of the Year Mahrez yet to come to terms with the added pressure of being a Premier League champion.
Opponents have frequently taken to doubling, even tripling up on the Algerian this season, with his 74 attempted dribbles often resulting in frustration rather than gorgeous curling strikers into the far top corner.
Diego Costa – 75 dribbles attempted
Now, it depends how you define ‘dribble’. Most people would associate it with Ryan Giggs or the aforementioned Messi, all deft touches and subtle swerves. But when has Diego Costa ever been one for working within the rules?
Head down, shoulders squared, the bullish hitman’s juggernaut bursts have often left opponents sprawling this season. Even if it’s not quite as pretty as a certain Chelsea team-mate, it’s certainly as effective. And that brings us swiftly on to…
Eden Hazard – 80 dribbles attempted
They say it’s the hope that kills you. And that’s what Eden Hazard gives defenders, before he rips it all away. Slowing down to walking pace as the opposition catch their breath, the Belgian then slams on the accelerator and hits 0-60 in no time at all.
As demonstrated by his sublime individual goal against Everton, Hazard can go both ways, equally adept on left or right. And that just makes him twice as deadly.
Wilfried Zaha – 98 dribbles attempted
Left out of countless international squads over the last two years, Gareth Southgate and the FA suddenly want to emblazon the Three Lions upon Zaha’s chest. And with good reason. The former Manchester United flop, who declared his allegiance to the Ivory Coast recently, has attempted the highest number of dribbles in the Premier League, and with added end product this time around.
After just 13 games, Zaha has already provided five times as many assists as in the 2015/16 campaign.
All statistics gathered through WhoScored
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