ASSISTKINGS QUARTERLY VOL. V: WIZARDS, GOBLINS, GHOSTS & GHOULS: THE HAUNTING OF THE MODERN DEFENDER

ASSISTKINGS QUARTERLY VOL. V

WIZARDS, GOBLINS, GHOSTS 
AND
 GHOULS :
THE HAUNTING OF THE MODERN DEFENDER

               Right as the Champions League group stage's back to back matches draw first blood, the international break concludes and the intense league grind returns, we've seen some remarkable passing artistry from players both on international and club duty. 

            Harry Kane created 5 of England's 6 goals in the 6-0 drubbing of Bulgaria, including his first ever hat trick of assists, proving without any doubt the dangerous final ball he indeed possesses (and that we highlighted last season after his 2 assists vs Spain). 
           American Christian Pulisic scored his first career hat trick, in the process forcing NBC analyst Kyle Martino to change his pants and the entire American fandom to collectively lose its grasp on reality.

  Still, it's alarmingly clear how good the former Dortmund winger could be alongside Mason Mount, Pulisic  becoming the first Yank to score a goal for the London club thanks to Mount's help.
            Elsewhere, Andrew Robertson's excursions at left back provided the assist that stole Liverpool a last second draw vs United, then the Merseysiders proceeded to rampage Genk in the Champions League with dominating flair led by Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mo Salah's underrated assist-making...before dispatching Spurs in a come from behind victory.

        Meanwhile, Manchester United look more toothless than a Florida meth head (even while scoring 3 goals) and Arsenal's own Ernesto Valverde, Unai Emery, continues to live in a fantasy world where Lacazette is a bad player & Mesut Ozil will never play but can still "hang out for 35 million". 

          Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez combined to a devastating degree in La Liga before going flat and narrowly surviving  (undeservedly) vs an exceptional Slavia Prague in the UCL midweek, Messi still proving why he's the best player in the world

(sadly, he's saddled to a horrorshow manager and teammates lacking spirit or fight).   
          Manchester City comfortably breezed through the toughest UCL outing they'll face in the group stage, dispatching Atalanta 5-1 after surrendering the opening goal (all 5 goals coming from Sterling, including his 11 minute hat trick) followed by a "call me the breeze" through Aston Villa on the weekend.              
        PSG's Angel Di Maria became the first player to supply a trio of assists in the UCL this season after he dished 3 unbelievable passes, 2 of them helping Kylian Mbappe to a hat trick from the bench.
             In Germany, Bayern Munich look fantastic going forward but continue to cost themselves points (in both the Bundesliga and Champions League) due to their propensity to leak goals at the back

and Borussia Dortmund prove they can both win and lose ugly.
            With all of this going on, we pour over the 10 best performances from the hottest assist-men in the game, keeping in mind current stellar form, season totals and continued appearances on our lists as a solid metric.
              

10.
RIYAD MAHREZ (City)

12 appearances
6 assists
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 26
 -PER 90: 2.2
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 1
UDGC: 3
ALGERIA: 1 assist, 2 goals in 3-0 win vs Columbia

                 Mahrez featured in the Champions League from the start vs Atalanta at the Etihad midweek, providing his 3rd Champions League assist when he picked up the pieces from a Phil Foden-Aguero chance on goal and spied a Raheem Sterling run into the box.
                In typical Riyad Mahrez fashion, the right winger sprang to life and left footed a bizarre near post cross for Sterling to zoom in front of a group of defenders to tap home. He only produced the single chance on the night, which was why Guardiola felt justified in removing Mahrez for the weekend match vs Aston Villa.
                The former Leicester winger, much like Leroy Sane the season previously, would appear high on our lists due to appearing and producing immaculate passing quality in the final third and 99.9% of the time, Manchester City victories, however they've both seen periods of time where they've been banished from the XI...not even appearing as a substitute...such as this weekend after his 6th assist on the season.
               Nasty, but fair, I felt it right to drop Mahrez but retain him on the list.
               Decide Pep...but Riyad Mahrez isn't really the player you need to be worrying about rotating...that would be KDB, Mendy, Sterling and Bernardo Silva.
               Riyad Mahrez also makes the list for his recent thunderous start for Algeria, punishing James Rodriguez's & Juan Cuadradro's high calibre Columbia to the tune of a 3-0 scoreline, the Manchester City man involved in all three goals for the reigning African Nations Cup champions with 2 goals and a wicked assist.
               What he lacks in consistent game time, Mahrez more than compensates for in stunning, world class quality.

        
9.
LIONEL MESSI (Barca)

7 appearances
3 assists
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 17
 -PER 90: 2.4
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 0
UDGC: 1

               Here we are...nearly done with October, on to Volume V and finally Lionel Messi makes his first appearance on our list! 
              Shocking stuff, indeed...just hideous...but it's damn good to have him back: after his explosive lay off assist for his buddy Luis Suarez to tap in vs Eibar and the winning own goal he conjured vs Prague, Messi makes his first list.
              Messi started the season injured following his Copa America excursions and couldn't shake a calf injury thanks to Valverde rushing him back into action vs Villareal. Moments before he was substituted in that same match, the Argentine snatched his 1st assist of the season when he whipped in a corner for Antoine Griezmann to knock into the roof of the net. 
              To follow, Leo put on a magical display to rescue a wayward, capsizing  Barca against Conte's Inter Milan, dribbling through half of Inter's XI before cutting inside and slipping the most precisely timed and weighted ball across for Suarez. His teammate touched the pass around an onrushing Diego Godin with ultimate class and swagger before the Uruguayan waltzed clear through on goal and lanced the shot under Handanovic.

   
            The Barca captain grabbed his 3rd assist of the season vs Eibar, latching on to an expert Griezmann through ball that set Messi and Suarez free up the pitch in a one on one situation with the keeper. Instead of hungering for another European Golden Shoe, Messi did the sensible thing and squared a ridiculous  ball across his left for El Pistolero to sink his teeth into.

             With Messi there's always a reason: he wanted all three forwards, himself, Suarez and Griezmann to be on the scoresheet....the captain was unmistakably thinking ahout the big picture.
             In the process, Messi resumes his flight up the assists table and debuts at #8 on our list, simultaneously proving to be the supreme difference between Barcelona being almost winless or 1st in La Liga and top spot in the only Champions League "Group of Death". 

           Without Messi, Valverde would've been fired a hundred times over and who knows at what depths Barcelona would find themselves.
           Finally Messi and De Bruyne are healthy enough to play at the same time.  But will they both make the same list?



8.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO (Bayern)

11 appearances
4 assists
KEY PASSES:
 -TOTAL: 22
 -PER 90: 2.0
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 2 (Kimmich, Tolisso)
UDGC: 1

              Since he bid bon voyage to Barcelona, Coutinho's form has been insatiable: delivering 4 assists, scoring 2 goals (one teed up by Gnabry and another from a penalty he earned), setting up Tolisso and Kimmich in hitting the post and is currently the silent conductor of the Bayern attacking orchestra.
              In the position he was born to play, under Lewandowski, between two speedsters on each wing and in front of two athletic, ball-dominating midfielders, Coutinho has displayed his many gifts in the final third.
              He's sent in assists for Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry (x2) and Robert Lewandowski and generally looks like the #10 he was at Liverpool (minus the errant shooting).
               Coutinho's progression and drive were omnipresent during his all-encompassing brilliance vs Tottenham.  
               While only grabbing 1 assist from 7 Bayern goals, the Brazilian performed at a rate that stats cannot quantify. He mastered and strangled the perimeter of Spurs' box, his flicks and neat passing quickened the pace to an overzealous degree, all with Coutinho based around his centralized harbor.
          Not one to be outdone, the former Inter and Espanyol man produced a  disgusting, outside of the boot assist from inside Tottenham's own box...it must be seen to believed.
               While responsible for 6 goals, hitting 2 shots off the post, laying on 2 chances for teammates to crash off the bar / post, Coutinho is making it his mission to remind everyone, especially those fans from Merseyside and Camp Nou just how good he is when played in a system that best suits his abilities.

               Maybe he would've never been successful at Barcelona with their 4-3-3 architecture and Ernesto Valverde's negative presence...perhaps Coutinho could've found himself becoming surplus to requirements at Liverpool as the squad expanded under Klopp.
                Which is why Munich may be the perfect club for the former Liverpool star, right now: unlike Barca or Liverpool, Bayern need Coutinho. 
               And Coutinho needs Bayern.


7.
RAHEEM STERLING (City)

14 appearances
4 assists
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 32
 -PER 90: 2.3
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 1 (Foden)
UDGC: 3 (earned 2 penalties)
ENGLAND: 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 matches

              We're running out of superlatives...we're not even sure where to rank Sterling as our list isn't just about quantifying completed passing...

              This is the third list Raheem Sterling has appeared on from 5, yet he's only just grabbed his 3rd and 4th assists (in successive matches)....still, this is further proof of a world beyond stats.        Anyone who's watched Sterling would be insane to deny his boundless creative qualities. As such, we had to include him due to the overall breadth of his goal creation.

               Last week, he punished Crystal Palace (only seconds after City had finally broken the deadlock) to all but end matters at 2-0 on the stroke of halftime when he scooped a ridiculous ball over the top to David Silva.
            The build-up play was thoroughly exhilarating before Sterling commandeered the ball and timed his chipped through ball to perfection for Silva to sweep into the net on the bounce, the defense for Crystal Palace thoroughly bamboozled.

              And, if Raheem thought he still needed to prove that he's the best player in the world on current form, well....he did just that against Serie A powerhouse  Atalanta, creating all five goals in a 5-1 demolition job.
              Sterling scored a hat trick of goals (his 4th in the calendar year), but as for his creative merits?
              He more than did the job. 
              Raheem has proven he's far more than a goal-poaching speed merchant, and he continued this trend by sending in an exquisitely deluxe equalizing cross for Sergio Aguero to head home vs Atalanta. 

              To give City the 2-1 advantage, Raheem earned his second penalty of the season when he drew Andrea Masiello in for a slight foul in the box, dribbling away and riding a challenge before the Atalanta defender's toe tripped him up. 

              When Sergio Aguero nailed the resulting penalty with aplomb, Sterling notched his 3rd uncredited direct goal contribution in 19/20.
              And continuing his endeavors on Saturday vs Aston Villa, Sterling provided three delicious point blank opportunities with his expert final ball, only for this trio of magic to go wayward. 
            Raheem sped down the left wing before cutting back a precise ball for David Silva, wide open and untouched in the box...still, the Spanish veteran saw his shot go an inch past the far post. 
            Minutes later, following a poor pass out of the back from Villa's Engels, Sterling poked a toe out to steal the ball, playing Gabriel Jesus clean in on goal with the same decisive touch. Jesus took too much time on the ball before releasing his shot, Tom Heaton's knee contacting the goal-bound chance slightly into the air, giving Tyrone Mings enough time to cover the ground and clear the shot off Aston Villa's line, narrowly avoiding another goal to Guardiola's dynamic City. 
              While Sterling's goalscoring exploits always win the headlines, the truth is: you could possibly stop Sterling  with adequate pace in the back if he was only a goalscorer....however the frightening fact for every Premier League and future Champions League opponent? His creativity on the ball is expanding and the player is only growing in confidence, stature and  ability...by...the...match.

              Can Sterling ever really be stopped?

6.
ANGEL DI MARIA (PSG)

14 appearances
7 assists
KEY PASSES:
 -TOTAL: 38 
 -PER 90: 2.7
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 3
UDGC: 1 (shot / cross rebounded into goal by Kylian Mbappe vs Brugge in UCL)

                 With 5 assists in his last 2 matches, we would be foolish not to have Angel Di Maria somewhere high on our list. 
                 The assists he's pulled off have been disgusting world class pieces of art, especially when you see Kylian Mbappe's ruthless Da Vinci finishing on the receiving end of such fine architectural passing majesty...yet it's hard to ignore the level of competition Di Maria is picking apart.
                 Yes, we all know Angel Di Maria was once upon a time the heir to Ozil's throne at Real Madrid, his cunning creativity delivering La Decima and, if not for injuries, he'd most likely have delivered Messi and Argentina a title in one of those three finals from 2014-2016.
                 He has produced moments of brilliance that have suggested he is still that player: his stunning, equalizing screamer from outside of the box vs France in the 2018 World Cup,
 his double nutmeg assist to Mbappe last year in the Champions League vs Manchester United...before PSG completely folded and collapsed during the 2nd leg in Paris...
           ...and now he has dropped a hat trick of assists vs Genk, the small Belgian club and 2 more against Duje Culeta-Car and Sakai, two of the most disastrous defenders in France's Ligue 1...an already worrisome league when it comes to the strength of their defending and desire for pressing combat.
               Point is: these assists are outrageous, anytime one gets a hat trick of assists in the Champions League it must be applauded, and the filthiness of his passing and Mbappe's finishing is something to savor and watch (the two combining for 5 goals in the last 2 matches)...but, if this was against the defending of say...Arsenal or Chelsea FC, Tottenham, Ajax would Di Maria have this much of an impact? 
              What about Bayern Munich's shambolic, though big-name defense? Or against Barcelona's Pique, Ter Stegen, Lenglet or Umtiti? Busquets and Frenkie De Jong pressing him? 
              Then...we move to the upper-echelon in defending: how would Di Maria do against Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold or Robertson getting in his face, or VVD blocking all of his crosses? How would he survive in combat vs James Milner? 

             Until we see Angel Di Maria achieve even half of these outrageous numbers against Real Madrid in the return group stage leg, or later on in the Champions League knockout stages, 6 key passes and 2 assists vs Marseille is fine and 3 more vs Genk is awesome must-see on-a-platter pass-mastery...but it doesn't mean much until he does it against some sort of higher competition. 
                
                 
5.
SERGE GNABRY (Bayern)

9 appearances
5 assists
KEY PASSES:
 -TOTAL: 26
 -PER 90: 2.2
-KEY PASSES OFF POST: 0
UDGC: 0

             Gnabry was rampant against Augsburg the previous week, smashing in cross after cross from the right wing for their defenders to deflect. But it was one nobody could block, even the goalkeeper's hapless fingertips that proved the difference.                 When Gnabry turned inside on to his left and swiveled in a curving, dangling cross that his pal Lewandowski towered high to meet, the Pole barrelled a header down for his billionth goal of the season. 

             Lewandowski has had many suitors in 19/20, but none as dangerous as Serge Gnabry or Joshua Kimmich. Gnabry and Lewandowski have combined for 3 goals this season, the pair resuming their immaculate pace of shared goals from 18/19 with more direct finishing and killer touches in the final third this campaign around.
              While Bayern's defense 
has been 
ramshackle 
(proven by their 
allowance of a 
stoppage time equalizer 
from Augsburg in that 
2-2 draw and the multitude 
of opportunities handed to Olympiakos in the 2-3 away victory in the UCL), the work of Gnabry, new boy Coutinho, the all-encompassing goal machine Robert Lewandowski, the midfield technicians Thiago Alcantara and Corentin Tolisso...you have a dangerous side that nobody will want to face...especially in figuring out: 
how the hell do you stop Gnabry???
              Though he was somewhat reserved in the match away at Olympiakos, Serge Gnabry played his part in the victory, registering 2 blocked shots (both creating chaos in the Greek back-line) and 3 chances created. 
              However it was a blocked Coutinho shot, James Bond villain Thomas Muller creating something from nothing twice and Robert Lewandowski's head / feet that finally dragged Bayern's undisciplined victimhood over the line, Gnabry attracting the most attention of any player.

4.
HAKIM ZIYECH (Ajax)

18 appearances 
8 assists
KEY PASSES 
 -TOTAL: 60
 -PER 90: 3.3
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 2 (Promes, Neres)
UDGC: 4 
(O.G leg 1 vs PAOK, wicked cross creates penalty in leg 2 vs PAOK, 1 vs Emmen)

              Ziyech didn't post an official key pass over the previous weekend in the Eredivisie, though his goal-bound efforts and consistent competitive nature drove a lukewarm Ajax to a 2-1 victory..."sorry guys, couldn't do anything unbelievable today," he didn't say, looking wiped leading into the Chelsea match.
             And though the Dutch giants may feel harshly done by at home vs Chelsea, losing 0-1 from a late Pulisic assist to Michy Batshuayi, they deserved the defeat on the night.
              The young team's refusal to stay aggressive in their passing and pressing exposed their weaknesses in midfield (where Frenkie De Jong leaves a massive gap that could take a while for Edson Alvarez and Lisandro Martinez to fill). 
            Although Ziyech created a Promes goal from a deflected cross (ruled out by the most marginal of offside calls in the 35th minute), there was very little on offer from the Dutch born Moroccan international. 
           Later, it was Quincy Promes sending in a deadly corner on to Edson Alvarez's skull (shaking the right post on its way out of bounds), Van De Beek dished 4 chances and Tadic was anonymous for once. 
            Still, it wasn't through a lack of creativity that they lost to Chelsea...they lost at home because they were out-run and out-worked by Frank Lampard's young core.
            It's obvious Hakim Ziyech and perhaps Dusan Tadic both needed a rest for the Feyenoord match, or last year's semifinalists could find themselves 2nd in the group, yet there they both were starting and supplying victory for the historic Dutch club in a match they were never going to miss.
           Though they saved some blushes in Sunday's 4-0 evisceration of one of the better teams in the Netherlands' Eredivisie, Feyenoord, Hakim Ziyech creating 3 chances and scoring yet another goal on the season, Ajax will need to show all of their abundant qualities to wrestle control of this group back from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

3.
ROBERTO FIRMINO (Liverpool)

13 appearances
7 assists
KEY PASSES:
 -TOTAL: 26
 -PER 90: 2.0
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 2 (VVD, Mane)
UDGC: 3 (Mane goal v South, Salah goal v Salzburg, Mane goal v Genk)
  
           Firmino was kept quiet for the most part during the 1-1 draw vs United, failing to register an official key pass on the day, though he was still effective in his movement and worked hard to take 4 shots on goal.
          Yet it was all a preamble for the Brazilian's scorching UCL display once again, setting up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal of the season rip: 
outside of the boot + outside of the box = top corner / untraceable strike.

           Bobby was rampant, pulling off a filthy ribona key pass in traffic, looping the ball over outstretched feet into the path of Sadio Mane. The outrageous, otherworldly pass even took Mane by surprise as his scuffed shot was barely kicked wide.

           Though he statistically had 2 key passes, Firmino was looking for assists constantly, setting the tone in the build-up play with silky passing and fast one touch combinations, pulling Genk defenders completely out of position. 
           He helped haunt Genk again, this time after Wijnaldum and Fabinho ripped the ball away after a loose throw-in and fed Firmino in space. The former Hoffenheim man slid a pass into Salah's feet before the Egyptian rounded a defender beautifully and laid the rock into Mane, the never static  Senegal forward pouncing and finishing off the best move of any team in this round of UCL matches.
            At 7 assists, 3 uncredited direct goal contributions, setting up 2 teammates to hit the post and constantly providing illustrious, imaginative chances for his Liverpool teammates, Bobby Firmino is on pace for his greatest season. 

2.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE (City)

12 appearances
10 assists
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 46
 -PER 90: 3.8
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 2 (Aguero x2)
UDGC: 2
(6 assists & 2 goals in last 9 appearances)
BELGIUM: 3 assists, 1 goal vs Scotland, 1 UDGC vs San Marino

                KDB is back on the pitch and resuming his all-action displays, though his return vs Palace was more of a hiccup than a demonstration of commanding class.
                The Belgian produced 3 chances in the 2-0 win but mostly asserted himself deeper in midfield, trying in vain to will City to their ultimate heights.
               After the first 35 minutes, one had to wonder how the score was still 0-0 after continuous blasts on Palace's goal from Gundogan, Bernardo and Sterling, but it was in a typical two minute / two goal surge from Pep's side that tilted the balance in their favor after De Bruyne took part in exacting combination play around the Palace area before Bernardo sent in his 5th cross of the night for Gabriel Jesus to knock home, quickly followed by Sterling's outrageous assist to David Silva (more on that: see #7 Sterling).
             Suddenly, thanks to a whipped-in free kick against Aston Villa and the tiniest of toe poke deflections from David Silva, and Kevin De Bruyne grabbed his 9th assist in the Premier League and his 10th overall. 
            The ball was of such quality from De Bruyne that whether it was shot or cross mattered not, nor did it matter if Silva tapped it home, if the ball ricocheted in off Sterling's chest or De Bruyne himself had the final touch...it was destined for the net.
             We're glad KDB is back and we're equally happy he paced himself after his latest injury concerns, but with his stable climb up the chances created charts, his League assists tally standing higher than double the amount of his next best competitor (Silva with 4), KDB continues to fly high.

1.
DUSAN TADIC (Ajax)

19 appearances
12 assists
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 56
 -PER 90: 2.9
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 4
(Neres, Veltman, Ziyech x2)
UDGC: 3 (Huuntelaar goal vs Valencia)


                  Yes, Dusan Tadic went M.I.A during Ajax's home match vs Chelsea, the first time he's been absent for Erik ten Hag's squad in the Champions League since arriving from Southampton.
                  But the Serbian pass-master made up for it with yet another 2 assists vs Feyenoord, only waiting inside of a minute and a half before he received a ball into the box from Promes and pulled a bizarre pass across traffic towards his favorite target, Hakim Ziyech lying predatory in the box. The Moroccan's shot wasn't perfect, a blasted effort that fluffed underneath Vermeer's outstretched hands after the keeper  made the save, yet the ball rolled into the goal anyway. 
             Dusan Tadic's beautiful awareness inside the opposition box is only matched by his confidence to play any pass at any time.
               In the 36th, a rambunctious and  quality midfield run from Lisandro Martinez set the stage for Tadic and David Neres. Lisandro flies through midfield with the ball bouncing high from his own chest-down and nods the ball on to Neres, the Brazilian quickly cutting inside and flipping the ball for Tadic and here's where his occultist passing wizardry lies:
                 Mere mortals would immediately get 
the ball out of 
their feet straight 
at Neres & the tiny Brazilian waif would run into two or three Feyenoord defenders, finally having enough of this "one-touch glory ball".
           Instead, Tadic holds off the defender and gains possession from Neres, then backs into the defender moving ever so slightly and waits for the run. The Brazilian, like wide receivers running routes in American football, knives into the space beyond and Tadic's patience on the ball, his weight of pass and his hesitation until Neres makes the run, all create the space.

             Already his 4th multi-assist match of the 19/20 campaign, Dusan Tadic is on pace to shatter is outrageous 18/19 season, going even further in both the Champions League and in Eredivisie competitions than the year previously.
               Much like Hakim Ziyech always is for Ajax, like Frenkie De Jong once was and Donny Van De Beek usually is, Dusan Tadic is a player that must be seen to be believed when he lines up for Ajax...
                   
BEST OF THE REST

ISLAM SLIMANI (Monaco)

8 appearances
6 assists 
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 20
 -PER 90: 2.5 
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 0
UDGC: 1

              Slimani snagged his 6th Ligue 1-leading assist in a thrilling 3-2 encounter against Rennes, the big Algerian scoring a goal as well to make the difference in the back and forth offensive shootout.
              The assist may not have been the prettiest piece of footballing skill, though it showed the intangibles the towering striker possesses: he hardly ever gives up on a play.
              First, he's played through on the left by Ben-Yedder before losing the ball and seeing it poked away, he reset and demanded the ball back, instigating a move into the area where he fought for possession again, scrapping to put a toe in and retain before dribbling out to the left and looping a lifted cross over Rennes' hapless keeper for his pal Ben-Yedder, who he started the counter attack with, to bury home.
              Monaco won it ugly, but with Slimani, Ben-Yedder and Fabregas amongst the goals and assists, these last few victories have gone far in helping rescue this once-proud club out of the atmosphere of shame that's pervaded them ever since Jardim's first ousting, 
            Islam Slimani is pounding on the goals and assists, but more importantly he's leading Monaco up the Ligue 1 table and back to respectability.

THORGAN HAZARD (Dortmund)

photo Bleacher Report

12 appearances
5 assists
KEY PASSES: 
 -TOTAL: 29?
 -PER 90:
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 0
UDGC: 1

             Eden's little brother is beginning to break out from under his eldest's shadow by the appearance, co-leading the Bundesliga at 5 assists alongside his BVB partner in attack, Jadon Sancho.
            His assist on the weekend gave BVB a massive 1-0 victory, gaining ground on Bayern Munich while the Bavarians succumbed to a 2-2 draw before he made a cameo in the final minutes in a bad 0-0 draw this weekend.
            Thorgan has already affirmed his high levels of talent and has more than doubled his market value, though as Dortmund continues their downward spiral, the younger Hazard will absolutely need to deliver for his club, or else Watzke and the fans may feel without Reus, without Sancho, without Alcacer...they're screwed.

HARRY KANE (Tottenham)

19 appearances
1 assist
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 10
 -PER 90: 0.52
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 1
UDGC: 2
ENGLAND: 
3 assists, 1 goal, 1 key pass off post 
(Callum Wilson), hit the post from one of his own shots & created 5 chances vs Bulgaria. 
1 goal from a penalty vs Czech Republic

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI (Chelsea)

8 appearances
4 assists
KEY PASSES
 -TOTAL: 16
 -PER 90: 2.3
KEY PASSES OFF POST: 0
UDGC: 1
(4 assists, 1 goal in his last 6 appearances)

once again, 
by
LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN     
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! 
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MOST ASSISTS
1. DUSAN TADIC (AJAX): 12
2. KEVIN DE BRUYNE (CITY): 10
3. HAKIM ZIYECH (AJAX): 8
4. ROBERTO FIRMINO (LIV): 7
5a. JADON SANCHO (BVB): 6
5b. LUIS ALBERTO (LAZIO): 6
5c. RIYAD MAHREZ (MAN CITY): 6
5d. DONNY VAN DE BEEK (AJAX): 6
5e. ISLAM SLIMANI (MONACO): 6
6a. DAVID SILVA (CITY): 5
6b. THORGAN HAZARD (BVB): 5
6c. SERGE GNABRY (BAYERN): 5
6d. MARCEL SABITZER (LEIP): 5
6e. ALE "PAPU" GOMEZ (ATA): 5
7a. PHIL COUTINHO (BAYERN): 4
7b. SANTI CAZORLA (VILLAR): 4 
7c. MOHAMED SALAH (LIV): 4
7d. RAHEEM STERLING (CITY): 4
7e. CIRO IMMOBILE (LAZ): 4
8a. ANDREW ROBERTSON (LIV): 3
8b. LIONEL MESSI (BARCA): 3
8c. THIAGO MENDES (LYON): 3
8d. BUKAYO SAKA (ARS): 3
8e. JOSHUA KIMMICH (BAY): 3
8f.  NICOLAS PEPE (ARS): 3
8g. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (LIV): 3
8h. ANTOINE GRIEZMANN (BAR): 3
9a. HOUSSEM AOUAR (LYON): 2 
9b. DANI CEBALLOS (ARS): 2

MOST CHANCES CREATED
1. HAKIM ZIYECH (AJAX): 60 
2  DUSAN TADIC (AJAX): 56
3. KEVIN DE BRUYNE (CITY): 46
4. JOSHUA KIMMICH (BAY): 40
5a. ANGEL DI MARIA (PSG): 38
5b. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (LIV): 38
6a. RAHEEM STERLING (MANC): 32
6b. DONNY VAN DE BEEK  (AJAX): 32
7. DAVID SILVA (CITY): 31
8a. THORGAN HAZARD (BVB): 29
8b. ALE "PAPU" GOMEZ (ATA): 29
9.  MARCEL SABITZER (LEIPZIG): 27
10a. RIYAD MAHREZ (MANC): 26
10b. SERGE GNABRY (BAYERN): 26
10c. ROBERTO FIRMINO (LIVER): 26
11. JADON SANCHO (DORT): 23
12. LORENZO PELLEGRINI (ROM):21 (INJ)
13. MOHAMED SALAH (LIVER): 20
14. THIAGO ALCANTARA (BAYERN): 15

MOST UDGC
(Uncredited Direct Goal Contributions)
1a. HAKIM ZIYECH (AJAX): 4
1b. RIYAD MAHREZ (CITY): 4
2a. ROBERTO FIRMINO (LIV): 3
2b. JOSHUA KIMMICH (BAYERN): 3
3a. ANTOINE GRIEZMANN (BARCA): 2
3b. DUSAN TADIC (AJAX): 2
3c. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (LIV): 2
3d. CIRO IMMOBILE (LAZ): 2
4a. PABLO SARABIA (PSG): 1
4b. KINGSLEY COMAN (BAY): 1
4c. THIAGO MENDES (LYON): 1
4d. JADON SANCHO (DORT): 1
4e. PIERRE AUBAMEYANG (ARS): 1
4f. ILKAY GUNDOGAN (CITY): 1
4g. MOHAMED SALAH (LIV): 1
4h. LIONEL MESSI (BAR): 1
4i. ANGEL DI MARIA (PSG): 1
4j. MARCEL SABITZER (LEIP): 1
4k.ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (ARS): 1

MOST CHANCES ON POST
1. DUSAN TADIC (AJAX): 4
2. ANGEL DI MARIA (PSG): 3 
3a. KEVIN DE BRUYNE (CITY): 2
3b. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (LIVER): 2
3c. HAKIM ZIYECH (AJAX): 2
3d. ROBERTO FIRMINO (LIV): 2
3e. EMIL FORSBERG (LEIPZ): 2
3f. TIMO WERNER (LEIPZ): 2
3g. JOAQUIN (BETIS): 2
3h. DAVID SILVA (CITY): 2
3i.  KINGSLEY COMAN (BAYERN): 2
4a. PABLO SARABIA (PSG): 1
4b. JORDAN HENDERSON (LIV): 1
4c. GABRIEL JESUS (CITY): 1
4d. SADIO MANE (LIV): 1
4e. NABIL FEKIR (BETIS): 1
4f. RAHEEM STERLING (CITY): 1
4g. DANI CEBALLOS  (ARS): 1
4h. BERNARDO (CITY): 1
4i. ANGELINO (CITY): 1
4j. ARTHUR (BARCA): 1
4k. CARLES PEREZ (BARCA): 1
4l. JOSHUA KIMMICH (BAY): 1
4m.PHIL FODEN (CITY): 1
4n. DODI LUKEBAKIO (BER): 1
4o. MARIUS WOLF (BER): 1
4p. NELSON SEMEDO (BARCA: 1