Creativity is one of football’s most valuable and difficult-to-measure qualities.
A creative player can unlock an organised defence with a disguised pass, create space through a dribble or deliver a cross into an area from which a teammate can score. Assists provide part of the picture, but they depend on the receiving player converting the opportunity.
Chances created, key passes, expected assists, big chances created and successful through-balls can provide a more complete assessment. Even then, statistics cannot fully capture the imagination required to spot an opportunity before anyone else.
This ranking combines evidence from the opening weeks of 2026/27 with data from the completed 2025/26 campaign. Using both seasons prevents a small number of early matches from determining the entire order.
Statistics are correct as of 19 September 2026 and will change as the season progresses.
The Most Creative Premier League Players in 2026/27
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United
Rayan Cherki, Manchester City
Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal
Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool
Pascal Groß, Brighton & Hove Albion
Cole Palmer, Chelsea
Morgan Rogers, Chelsea
James McAtee, Nottingham Forest
Granit Xhaka, Sunderland
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal
1. Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes remains the strongest candidate to be considered the Premier League’s most creative player.
The Manchester United captain created more than 130 chances during the 2025/26 campaign, finishing comfortably ahead of every other player in the competition. He also registered 21 assists, demonstrating that his chances were regularly converted into goals.
Fernandes has continued to create opportunities during the opening weeks of 2026/27. His current numbers are not yet as dominant as they were last season, but he remains central to almost everything Manchester United produce in the final third.
His creativity comes from several areas. He can play through-balls from central midfield, deliver crosses from wider positions and switch play towards a teammate isolated against a defender.
Fernandes is also willing to attempt passes that many…
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