2 years ago
1. Allan St. Maximin (Newcastle United)
The Premier League is blessed with some very dynamic players, and Allan Saint-Maximin is unquestionably one of them. The French forward has been quite impressive since joining Newcastle United in the 2019-20 season.
Consistency is the only major flaw in Allan Saint-game Maximin's right now. On his day, the 25-year-old attacker is capable of easily running past players and scoring goals.
Allan Saint-Maximin has the skillset to become a major player, and manager Eddie Howe expects him to do so in the coming season.
Last season, the Frenchman started 31 league games and successfully dribbled past 150 times. No one else in Europe's top five leagues has accomplished this feat, demonstrating Saint-immense Maximin's potential.
Dribbling and quick footwork have become increasingly important over time. It is almost a requirement for wide forwards and, more recently, full-backs and wing-backs.
Last season, some fantastic performances saw players consistently dribble past other footballers. Here, we look at the top-tier players who have done it the most times.
Rafael Leao is number five (AC Milan)
AC Milan has done some good transfer business in recent years. Rafael Leao from Lille was signed by the Italian giants ahead of the 2019-20 season.
Since then, the Portuguese forward has developed into a valuable member of the club's squad. AC Milan has benefited greatly from Leao's creative abilities, as well as his sensational dribbling skills.
The 23-year-old had a career-best season in 2021-22, scoring 11 goals and registering 10 assists. Leao's dribbling ability was impressive, as he successfully dribbled 106 times last season.
Sofiane Boufal 4 (Angers)
The Moroccan used to play forward for Southampton before returning to Angers to play in Ligue 1. Sofiane Boufal graduated from Angers' youth academy and is now playing in France's top flight.
Last season, the former Southampton forward was a regular for the French club, making 29 appearances in Ligue 1.
Boufal contributed eight goals and four assists thanks to his ability to dribble past opponents and playmaker abilities.
The 28-year-old was the club's leading goal scorer last season and a difficult player to contain due to his ball skills. Boufal had the league's second-most nutmegs (10) and completed 109 successful dribbles.
Mbappe, Kylian (Paris Saint-Germain)
There aren't enough words to describe Kylian Mbappe's value at such a young age. The 23-year-old has been a world-class performer for Paris Saint-Germain, attracting fans from all over the world.
Mbappe has secured his future at the French club by renewing his contract this summer. Last season, the French forward scored 28 goals and registered 18 assists, helping PSG win the Ligue 1 title.
Kylian Mbappe is more than just a scorer. His blistering pace and ability to take on players at any time distinguishes him as a unique footballer. Last season, the Frenchman dribbled 111 times, which was more than any other player in Ligue 1.
Vinicius Junior is number two (Real Madrid)
Last season, Vinicius Junior was one of Real Madrid's most important players. The Brazilian combined brilliantly with Karim Benzema to consistently contribute goals.
With Eden Hazard out with an injury and out of form, Vinicius Junior stepped up to the plate. Last season, the 21-year-old scored 17 goals and registered 10 assists, ranking second in La Liga in goal contributions.
Real Madrid desperately needed a spark in their attack, and Vinicius delivered. He wisely used his speed, flair, and dribbling abilities to pose a significant threat.
Vinicius dribbled 115 times last season, making him the best dribbler in La Liga.
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