Most attacking players either create goals or score goals – but stars from Barcelona, Manchester City and PSG are among those to do both at the start of the 2022-23 season.
Using data from transfermarkt, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 players from Ligue 1, the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga and Serie A in terms of their combined goals and assists contributions.
We doubt you’ll be too surprised at the identity of number one…
=6. Eight players (10)
Yes, we know it’s a cop-out. We promised you a top 10 and we’ve already failed in our mortal quest.
But bear with us; with the leaves still on the floor and the wind not quite yet biting, an abundance of players have already reached double figures for goals and assists this season and eight are tied on 10.
While it’s not too surprising to see Harry Kane and Kevin De Bruyne racking up goal contributions with indecent haste, Brentford’s Ivan Toney is a more eye-catching inclusion. With eight goals and two assists, Toney is making a compelling case for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad.
Lazio’s midfield maestro Sergei Milkenovic-Savic has enjoyed an imperious start to the new campaign and two surprising names from Germany – Sheraldo Becker of Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin and Werder Bremen’s Niclas Fullkrug – find themselves in nosebleed territory.
The octet is rounded out with two of Europe’s most impressive young talents. Having already established himself in Germany’s midfield, Jamal Muisala has already recorded five goals and five assists for Bayern Munich at the age of 19. Crikey.
Meanwhile, at Napoli, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been the breakout star of 2022-23 to date. The Georgia international also has five goals and five assists for the Serie A table toppers and tore Liverpool and Ajax a new one in the Champions League.
Keep an eye out for him.
Ma che partita ha fatto Khvicha Kvaratskhelia??
Tutto il meglio di 'Kvara' contro il Liverpool
#UCL | @sscnapoli pic.twitter.com/EphUH2btQI
— La UEFA (@UEFAcom_it) September 9, 2022
5. Jonathan David (11)
It’s amazing that none of Europe’s big beasts have taken David from Lille but, with nine goals and two assists in Ligue 1 already, we’d bet huge sums against him remaining at the club this time next year.
=3. Lionel Messi (12)
The obituaries were premature; Messi’s first season at PSG was low-key disappointing with just six goals and 14 assists.
But, with a World Cup to fine-tune himself for, we’ve seen a vintage Messi this season as the Argentine has already chalked up five goals and seven assists for the Ligue 1 champions.
Even so, our favourite Messi moment resulted in neither a goal nor an assist…
READ: Lionel Messi’s no-look pass to Neymar was worthy of GOAT status
=3. Robert Lewandowski (12)
Despite swapping Bavaria for Barcelona, there’s been absolutely no drop in Lewandowski’s goal and assist output.
He’s fired nine goals past bewildered La Liga goalkeepers while chipping in five assists as the Camp Nou has quickly fallen in love with the Poland international.
2. Neymar (16)
Neymar looked set for the exit door at PSG six months ago with owner team-mate Kylian Mbappe reportedly unhappy about playing alongside the 30-year-old for much longer.
But the fulcrum of Brazil’s attack has responded in the best possible manner; stopping the extra-curricular nonsense, rolling up his socks and chipping in with a remarkable nine goals and seven assists for Christophe Galtier’s side.
1. Erling Haaland (18)
It’s only October and journalists are already running out of words for Haaland’s jaw-dropping start to life in the Premier League.
Forget the sheer number of goals for a second; it’s the variety of his 15 strikes that have left English defenders quivering with fear and Haaland has helpfully contributed three assists too.
He’s currently on course to score over 60 goals this season. God help us all.
Erling Haaland • The story so far at Manchester City • 23 goal contributions pic.twitter.com/NvJ1PFHZWi
—
(@Priceless_Silva) October 10, 2022
