It’s been an enthralling opening few months of the new campaign and with the final international break of 2019 underway, we’ve decided to look at some of the best stats of the Premier League season so far in a bid to give supporters their regular fix of English football’s top flight.
Leaders Liverpool have opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the division following their unbeaten start, but where do Jurgen Klopp’s side rank amongst the most prolific chance creators?
Here are the six teams to create the most chances in the Premier League this season…
Everton – 119 chances created
Perhaps a surprising inclusion on this list given the struggles of Marco Silva’s side this season, with Everton currently languishing in the bottom half despite beginning the new season with aspirations of challenging the top six.
The Merseyside outfit have scored just 13 goals from their 12 fixtures so far, which indicates a lack of a clinical edge having created the sixth most chances in the division.
Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are currently tied as the club’s leading scorers, though each have scored just three times in the league so far.
Summer signing Moise Kean was signed with the hope that he could provide a focal point that has been lacking since the departure of Romelu Lukaku two years ago, however, the 19-year-old is yet to open his account for the club since his switch from Juventus.
Leicester – 126 chances created
Many had tipped Leicester to be the closest challengers to last season’s top six, though few will have anticipated Brendan Rodgers’ side to be second heading into November’s international break.
The Foxes’ exciting young side has been one of the stories of the season so far, with a resurgent Jamie Vardy and emerging talents such as James Maddison and Youri Tielemans having thrived in the opening weeks of the new season.
Vardy currently leads the way in the race for the Golden Boot with 11 goals already, the forward receiving regular service from a Leicester side that has created the fifth most chances in the Premier League.
Only Manchester City have scored more than Leicester’s 29 league goals, the club’s regular creation of chances coupled with one of the league’s best defensive record making them a formidable outfit this season.
Manchester United – 132 chances created
Another side whose inclusion may surprise, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had endured their worst start to a season in over 30 years prior to their recent up-turn in form.
Manchester United have struggled to score goals so far this season, managing more than one in just three league fixtures, though their high number of chances created indicates a sign of wastefulness in front of goal.
The decision to allow Romelu Lukaku to leave the club without replacing the Belgian with a recognised goalscorer was questioned by some, with neither Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial yet to prove they can be a reliable source of goals.
Recent victories over Norwich and Brighton have shown improvements in their attacking play, though the club will need to develop a clinical edge if they are to continue climbing the table.
See also – Five players Man United should never have let go in the post-Alex Ferguson era
Liverpool – 155 chances created
The league leaders are amongst the most prolific chance creators in the division, with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino amongst the top three players for ‘big chances’ created during the season so far, creating nine and seven respectively.
Fellow full-back Andy Robertson also features highly with five, the duo having been key to the evolution of Jurgen Klopp’s side who have taken an early lead in the title race.
Liverpool remain unbeaten during the campaign thus far, though will need to continue creating chances regularly in order to keep that run going, with their defence proving uncharacteristically vulnerable having kept just two clean sheets so far.
See also – Five matches that have defined the Liverpool-Man City rivalry in the modern era
Chelsea – 157 chances created
Chelsea‘s exciting young side have won plenty of plaudits this season, with manager Frank Lampard’s faith in youth having been a refreshing change from previous regimes.
Attacking talents such as Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount have thrived under the manager’s leadership, with the Blues having created an impressive 157 chances so far.
Their most grateful recipient has been Tammy Abraham, the young forward scoring 10 league goals so far, with Willian and Jorginho their most prolific creators of clear-cut opportunities have provided four ‘big chances’ apiece.
See also – The 16 players to have scored 25+ goals in a single Premier League season
Manchester City – 199 chances created
The Premier League champions have created more chances than any other side over the opening 12 fixtures of the new season, with Pep Guardiola’s side the highest scoring side in the division so far having netted 35 goals.
Man City have created almost 200 opportunities thus far, Kevin De Bruyne (12) and Raheem Sterling (7) the club’s most regular sources of service.
The former began the new season in sparkling form and currently leads the Premier League for assists, having registered more than double the tally of the next most prolific providers with nine for the campaign already.
Defensive frailties have cost the City so far, though their attacking options remain a constant danger to any Premier League defence.
See also – Five players with the most assists in a single Premier League season
