Football fans love players who are capable of getting them off their seat and the Premier League’s best dribblers certainly fit that brief.
As we conclude the 2023/24 campaign, we’ve looked at the five players who have most often beat opponents on the run this season. Here are the players to have completed the most successful take-ons.
5. Luis Diaz – Liverpool (61)
Luis Diaz has regularly heard applause ring around Anfield since signing for Liverpool, with the Colombia winger an entertaining watch. Diaz can be non-stop dynamism when at his best, mixing trickery in wide areas with endless endeavour for the Reds.
While his end product has been questioned on his occasion, his work rate and desire to take on defenders can not.
???????????? pic.twitter.com/ZqpNk37S6T
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 12, 2024
4. Ross Barkley – Luton (63)
Ross Barkley’s renaissance has been one of the feel-good tales of the Premier League campaign, as the midfielder has arrested a career slide in the unlikely settings of Luton Town.
Signed on a free transfer in the summer, Barkley has helped the Hatters compete at the top level with Rob Edwards’ side still in the battle to avoid the drop as we reach the final games of the campaign.
Ain’t nobody, like Ross Barkley ???? pic.twitter.com/CoZgDRd6aG
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 6, 2023
Barkley’s press-resistant carry from a deep-lying role has been crucial for Luton and even sparked talk of an England recall earlier in the season, some four-and-a-half years since his last cap for the Three Lions.
He’s likely to remain in the Premier League next season, with or without Luton.
3. Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle (67)
Bruno Guimaraes might just be the most popular man in the North East right now. The Brazil midfielder has been a major hit since signing for Newcastle, exerting an all-action influence on the Magpies midfield.
The 26-year-old leads the Premier League for duels won and fouls won in 2023/24, while he ranks third for successful take-ons. Guimaraes is the only player in Europe’s top five leagues to have recorded 60+ take-ons and 60+ tackles.
A perfect delivery, finished off by @brunoog97! ???? pic.twitter.com/LMbYLfx5oQ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 27, 2024
Newcastle are optimistic he will stay this summer but with a release clause of around £100m and Manchester City and Arsenal lurking, Eddie Howe might face a fight to hold onto him.
2. Jeremy Doku – Manchester City (73)
Manchester City sought a new profile of winger last summer after Riyad Mahrez’s departure and landed at the dancing feet of Jeremy Doku.
The Belgium international might not have put the full package together just yet, but the raw ingredients are some watch. Doku has bamboozled full-backs all season long, with explosive changes of pace and fleet of foot.
.@JeremyDoku was a menace down that left flank yesterday! ???? pic.twitter.com/MT0Cc9PdUv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 22, 2023
1. Mohammed Kudus – West Ham (103)
Catch him if you can.
West Ham’s rebuild in midfield saw three stars signed for the £105m received from Declan Rice, adding the grit of Edson Alvarez, the set-piece expertise of James Ward-Prowse, and the x-factor of Mohammed Kudus.
The latter had been linked with some of Europe’s elite clubs before leaving Ajax for the London Stadium and there might just be some rueing their failure to firm up interest. Kudus has been an excitement machine for the Hammers, completing a huge 30 more take-ons than any other player in the Premier League.
Kudus completes ???? take-ons this season ⚡️
The first player across Europe’s top five leagues to do so ???????????? pic.twitter.com/MDgIZyXed2
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 1, 2024
There’s been an end product too, with 16 goals and six assists across all competitions. He’s already a firm favourite in the East End.
Read – A Premier League XI of players out of contract this summer
See more – Ranking the highest-scoring seasons of Harry Kane’s career
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