Using PFF FC Passing Grade, we take a look at the top-10 passers in the Premier League this season (up to GW20). If you want to understand our passing grading system and how it works in more detail, click here.

To earn a positive grade we are generally looking for a pass to achieve at least one of a few things:

Take a number of opposing players out of the game
Create a goalscoring opportunity
Be completed into or through a tight window

The more of these that a pass achieves the higher the positive grade we award. On the negative side we are looking at poor execution such as:

Poor accuracy or weight of pass
Mis-hitting the ball
Leading a teammate into danger

To earn the lower pass grades we’ll be looking for significant levels of inaccuracy or to be setting the opposition up for a dangerous attack, with our lowest grades given to passes that set up the opponent with an immediate chance or even worse, score an own goal.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best passers in the Premier League this season and what unique skillsets each player possesses to earn such a high grade.

1. Jan Paul van Hecke - Brighton & Hove Albion

Passing Grade: 94.8 (1st)
Pressured Passing Grade: 78.5 (31st)
Unpressured Passing Grade: 99.8 9 (1st)

The Brighton & Hove Albion Center Back leads the way with a passing grade of 94.8 and an astonishing 99.8 unpressured passing grade, which is over 8 points higher than the next closest player. Jan Paul van Hecke ranks 7th in total passes completed with 1,074 and is completing them at a rate of 89%. He leads the Premier League in line-breaking passes completed with 189, while also completing 89% of his line-breaking passes.

Not only is van Hecke crucial in kickstarting Brighton’s transitions with line-breaking passes into the midfield, but he also leads the league in ‘switches’, showing he has the range to play any type of pass and beat the press.

2. Youri Tielemans - Aston Villa

Passing grade: 94.2 (2nd)
Pressured Passing grade: 97.7 (1st)
Unpressured Passing grade: 91.0 (3rd)

Youri Tielemans has been the driving force for Unai Emery’s squad so far this season. Tielemans shines under pressure, as he leads the league in Pressured Passing grade (97.7). Tielemans has completed the 5th most passes among CM’s, 894, with an 87% completion rate. He ranks 2nd among all players in completed line-breaking passes with 174 and ranks T-5th in defensive line-breaking passes with 16. He has also created the most chances for Aston Villa in the Premier League this season (39).

3. Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City

Passing grade: 91.2 (3rd)
Pressured Passing grade: 90.6 (5th)
Unpressured Passing grade: 87.9 (7th)

The Belgium international is producing even with Manchester City’s worst run of form under Pep Guardiola. He comes into the halfway point of the season with a 91.2 passing grade, good for 3rd so far this season. De Bruyne in just under 900 minutes has collected 4 assists and generated 27 key passes. He is still finding ways to get Haaland the ball, as he is T-5th in defensive line-breaking passes with 16.

4. Bruno Guimarães - Newcastle United

Passing grade: 90.9 (4th)
Pressured Passing grade: 89.4 (6th)
Unpressured Passing grade: 91.1 (2nd)

Bruno Guimarães has been Eddie Howe’s main man in the middle (whether he plays the 8 or 6), starting all 20 games so far and for good reason. His passing grade of 90.9 slots him into 4th overall. His unpressured passing grade of 91.1 is 2nd best, only behind Jan Paul van Hecke. Bruno has completed the 7th most passes among CM’s, with 788 and he has completed 153 line-breaking passes which is good for 5th most among all players. Where Bruno Guimarães shines is breaking the defensive line, which has helped Alexander Isak score 9 goals in hist last 7 Premier League games. Guimarães leads the Premier League with 27 defensive line-breaking passes completed this season.

5. Martin Ödegaard - Arsenal

Passing grade: 90.3 (5th)
Pressured Passing grade: 95.3 (3rd)
Unpressured Passing grade: 83.5 (15th)

Martin Ödegaard comes in as our 5th best passer of the season with a 90.3 grade and even better pressured passing grade of 95.3. Ödegaard has accumulated 2 assists and 27 key passes for the Gunners through the first 20 games of the season. Ödegaard has completed 510 passes this season, the 3rd lowest of any player on this list but has completed 17 defensive line-breaking passes which is good for 4th among all players. Ödegaard’s greatest strength is his consistency, he only has one ‘very poor’ pass charted this season showing that he rarely makes an error that costs his team.

6. Bruno Fernandes - Manchester United

Passing grade: 89.7 (6th)
Pressured Passing grade: 96.6 (2nd)
Unpressured Passing grade: 83.7 (14th)

Manchester United’s captain has been a bright spot, even with another uninspiring start to the season. His pressured passing grade of 96.6 is good for 2nd among all players, only behind Youri Tielemans. Fernandes has completed 782 passes, the most among Wingers/Attacking-mids and the most line-breaking passes completed of Wingers/attacking-mids with 85. Fernandes has also created 44 chances which is 4th most in the league this season. Fernandes is one of the only players in the Premier League to grade above his positional average in every single passing facet.

7. Alexis Mac Allister - Liverpool

Passing grade: 89.3 (7th)
Pressured Passing grade: 91.1 (4th)
Unpressured Passing grade: 87.4 (8th)

Alexis Mac Allister is the maestro that keeps the Liverpool title charge ticking. His pressured passing grade of 91.1 is good for 4th among all players. Mac Allister’s passing impact goes beyond true assists, as he has 3 assists, 4 secondary assists and 4 tertiary assists. He has completed 670 passes with a completion rate of 88%, completed 89 line-breaking passes (24th among all players), and 12 defensive line-breaking passes (12th among all players). To read more about Mac Allister and how Arne Slot has set Liverpool up for success, click here.

8. Cole Palmer - Chelsea

Passing grade: 86.1 (8th)
Pressured Passing grade: 81.9 (19th)
Unpressured Passing grade: 85.1 (11th)

Cole Palmer has continued to build off his breakout campaign from last year with another excellent season. Palmer leads the Premier League with 57 chances created, 10 more than Dejan Kulusevski. Palmer has completed 597 passes at a completion rate of 83% and has completed 33 through balls (T-6th among all players).

9. James Maddison - Tottenham

Passing grade: 85.6 (9th)
Pressured Passing grade: 87.7 (8th)
Unpressured Passing grade: 81.0 (21st)

James Maddison is one of the main reasons that Tottenham have currently scored the 2nd most goals in the Premier League this season. Maddison has generated 22 key passes and 4 assists thus far. He has completed 644 passes with a 88% completion rate and completed 82 line-breaking passes (3rd among Wingers/Attacking-mids).

10. Jarrod Bowen - West Ham

Passing grade: 85.4 (10th)

Pressured Passing grade: 89.4 (7th)
Unpressured Passing grade: 82.8 (16th)

West Ham’s tumultuous start to the campaign might get worse after losing their best attacking threat and the 10th best passer in the league this season to a fractured foot. Bowen has created 42 chances this season, good for 6th most among all players. He has only completed 312 passes (the lower volume is expected as a forward) but has completed 25 through balls (14th among all Wingers/Attacking-mids). Bowen has excelled at passing under pressure and has shown the ability to use both feet which is important when playing all 4 positions across the front line.

This article was crafted using PFF FC Player grades. If you're affiliated with a club and would like to explore its capabilities, feel free to contact us at sales-fc@pff.com to arrange a demo.