The top 10 chance creators in Europe in 2026-27: Yamal or Guler top?
Stars from Roma, Barcelona and Real Madrid feature prominently among Europe’s leading chance creators so far in the 2026-27 season, alongside some surprise names from across the continent.
We’ve taken a look at the 10 players who have registered the most key passes (the final pass before a team-mate shoots at goal) across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Note: If two players are tied on the number of key passes, we’ve listed them in order of superior key passes per minute ratio.
10. David Raum – 26
The experienced Germany international looks like he should be playing the villain in a low-budget action film.
In this realm, Raum is making life miserable for Bundesliga defenders. The RB Leipzig left-back has registered 26 key passes in just seven appearances, averaging one every 24 minutes.
An outrageous return, really. How he is yet to notch an assist yet this season is beyond us.
9. Nadiem Amiri – 27
Mainz’s number 10 had an under-the-radar superb 2025-26 season, scoring 17 times across all competitions.
This season it’s been more about chance creation – and he’s only taken eight games to get into this top 10, considerably fewer than most of the other names he’s brushing shoulders with.
8. Alex Baena – 27
Now in his second season with Atletico Madrid, Baena only has two assists to show for his 24 key passes, but can take solace from scoring five goals for himself.
He had an underwhelming debut season with Atleti, but lifting the World Cup appears to have given him a boost in confidence. He’s been superb for Diego Simeone’s title challengers since the summer.
7. Cristian Casseres – 28
The 26-year-old Venezuela international has quietly established himself as a reliable performer for Toulouse, and he’s catching the eye with his creative numbers this season.
Five of his 28 key passes have ended up in the back of the net. Not bad going for a midfielder who tends to fly under the radar.
6. Michael Olise – 29
Olise produced bundles of assists for Bayern Munich last season but only has a few to his name so far this season.
That seems to be more down to his teammates not converting the chances he’s creating, since he’s still up there with 29 key passes in just eight Bundesliga appearances.
5. Florian Thauvin – 30
The former Newcastle United winger continues to thrive at Lens, showing no signs of slowing down after playing a starring role in their surprise title challenge last season.
Thauvin’s forgettable stint at St James’ Park feels like a lifetime ago. He’s gone on to forge a fine career for himself, and at 33 he’s still delivering the goods.
Four goals and seven assists in eight Ligue 1 appearances puts him among Europe’s leading players for direct goal contributions, while he’s also registered 30 key passes.
4. Inigo Vicente – 33
A lesser-known name enjoying his moment in the spotlight.
The 28-year-old Spaniard made just three appearances for Athletic Bilbao before spending the best part of his career in the second tier with Mirandes and Racing Santander.
He’s now making up for lost time in La Liga, with 33 key passes in 11 appearances.
3. Lamine Yamal – 34
It’s about right that Barcelona’s 19-year-old phenomenon is somewhere around the upper echelons of this list.
Second for goal contributions. Top for dribbles. Third for goals and joint top for assists.
Is there anything he can’t do?
2. Giacomo Calo – 37
Who?
The 29-year-old Italian midfielder has spent most of his career bouncing around the lower leagues, representing the likes of Juve Stabia, Pordenone, Benevento, Cosenza and Cesena before finally getting his shot at Serie A with Frosinone.
Once dubbed the ‘new Andrea Pirlo’ as a youngster at Sampdoria, Calo has taken the scenic route to the top flight. He’s suddenly living up to that billing with 37 key passes in just 10 appearances.
1. Arda Guler – 39
Guler might be the closest thing Real Madrid have to Luka Modric these days, albeit a different kind of player, often deployed in a more advanced role.
The Turkey international can’t quite control games and dictate the tempo like the Croatian maestro, at least not yet. That’s something Madrid are still badly lacking, but Guler has shown he possesses an eye for a killer pass in the final third and wicked dead-ball delivery.
His tally of just three assists from 39 key passes suggests some errant finishing from Los Blancos’ normally reliable forwards.
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