The very best at creating chances.
This may be one to cause debate but here at CaughtOffside we have decided to pick out the 10 best playmakers in world football, combining those that operate in a deeplying role with the more traditional No.10s.
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See if you agree.
10. Mario Gotze, Bayern Munich and Germany
May have scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, but it’s this attacking midfielder’s creativity that saw Bayern pay their rivals Borussia Dortmund £31.5m for his services in 2013.
9. Miralem Pjanic, AS Roma and Bosnia & Herzegovina
Under the guidance of manager Rudi Garcia the club from the Italian capital appear to have found their winning form once again and Pjanic plays a hugely important role in a well oiled machine.
8. James Rodriguez, Real Madrid and Colombia
Although the South American was the Golden Boot winner at the World Cup this summer it wasn’t for his threat in front of goal that moved Madrid to pay AS Monaco £63m for the 23-year-old, it’s his impressive passing.
7. Luka Modric, Real Madrid and Croatia
Staying at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and although Modric is often described as a box-to-box midfielder we think that the 29-year-old is impressive enough in attack to warrant his place as a playmaker.
6. Angel di Maria, Manchester United and Argentina
The early form of this Argentine at Old Trafford seems to show that the club record £59.7m paid for di Maria will be worth it as the 26-year-old simply oozes talent with the ball at his feet.
5. Mesut Ozil, Arsenal and Germany
Many Gunners fans may raise an eyebrow at this inclusion, but before arriving at the Emirates Stadium in 2013 no player in Europe had provided more assists since 2010 than this German and that talent hasn’t disappeared forever.
4. David Silva, Manchester City and Spain
Not always the first name that springs to mind when thinking of world-class talent perhaps, but as a stalwart for club and country for a number of years there is a reason Silva is so highly regarded within the game.
3. Andrea Pirlo, Juventus and Italy
The absolute epitome of a deeplying playmaker, with the 35-year-old operating in front of the defence and still dictating the tempt of matches despite his advancing years.
2. Andres Iniesta, FC Barcelona and Spain
Another Spaniard now and with Xavi dropping in form as he approaches the end of his career there is a huge amount of reliance on this 30-year-old now to provide Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez with the service they crave.
1. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea and Spain
Top of the pile though is a player Barca actually let go over the summer as Fabregas failed to settle at his boyhood club and it is now the Blues who are reaping the benefits of that.