While the term ‘dribble merchant’ is so often thrown about for players, the ability to ghost past a marker is an underrated trait. Getting the better of an opponent can so often open up space to run at goal, get to the touchline to whip a ball into the box, or even to work their way out of danger.
Dribbling stats 2025-26: Which player has completed the most take-ons in the Premier League this season?
These are the players who have completed the most take-ons in the Premier League this season.
Take-on stats 2025-26: Which teams complete the most take-ons in the Premier League?
These are the players who have completed the most take-ons in the Premier League this season
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What is a completed take-on?
Opta’s definition of a completed take-on is defined as:
- Take-ons Completed refers to the number of times a player successfully dribbles past an opponent in a one-on-one situation.
- A take-on completed happens when a player beats a defender by dribbling, maintaining possession, and progressing the attack.
This means that the player with the ball has to successfully dribble past a marker while also retaining possession and getting his team upfield.
What do completed take-ons tell us about a player?
Quite simply, a player who completes a high number of take-ons is one who is more than capable of getting the better of a marker with considerable ease.
Think of flair players like Lionel Messi or Neymar in their pomp, or more recently the likes of Jeremy Doku and Mohammed Kudus.
Wingers will often look to lure markers in before getting the better of an opponent using fancy footwork. They get bums off seats and tend to be the most exciting players on the pitch.
However, a completed take-on isn’t a true indicator as to whether a player is an elite dribbler. For example:
- A winger may average five completed take-ons per 90, but do so from 10 attempted take-ons, resulting in a 50% success rate.
- Another winger may average four completed take-ons per 90, but from only six attempted take-ons, resulting in a 67% success rate.
Who are the best dribblers in recent Premier League seasons?
- Jeremy Doku led the way for completed take-ons in the Premier League last season, getting the better of an opponent 107 times. The Belgian winger was the only player to complete in excess of 100 take-ons, with Mohammed Kudus (92) the closest to matching the City star’s exploits.
- Antoine Semenyo (69), Iliman Ndiaye (68) and Eberechi Eze (67) rounded off the top five.
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (64) ranked top for defenders.
In terms of failed take-ons:
- Mohammed Kudus topped the metric with 98 failed take-ons.
- Jarrod Bowen (76) placed second.
- Morgan Rogers and Kaoru Mitoma (both 74) ranked joint-third.
- Mohamed Salah (72) had the fifth most.
Kudus’ inclusion in both tables shows that a player who completes a high number of take-ons isn’t necessarily the best dribbler in the Premier League. The now-Tottenham star returned a take-on success rate of 48.4%.
By comparison, compatriot Semenyo, who managed fewer take-ons than Kudus, returned a better success rate (54.8%).