{"id":1140929,"date":"2020-05-06T10:53:48","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T09:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1140929"},"modified":"2021-03-30T10:04:54","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T09:04:54","slug":"best-premier-league-wingers-this-season","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/best-premier-league-wingers-this-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Premier League wingers of 2019\/20 so far"},"content":{"rendered":"

There can be no denying the importance of those wily wingers out wide.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They once bore the brunt of surging down the byline and whipping balls into the box; now they come in many guises. From inside forwards, to traditional wingers, or even Thomas Muller\u2019s famed ‘Raumdeuter’ role, the wide-man is much more than just a purveyor of crosses these days.<\/p>\n

Not only are they tasked with stretching the play and creating chances, but in many cases, they are the goalscoring fulcrums, usurping their centre-forward counterparts. Just look at Cristiano Ronaldo or perhaps the prolific exploits that have been unravelling on the flanks at Anfield these past few seasons.<\/p>\n

But, it\u2019s not just on Merseyside or at the feet of one Portuguese legend where wide-play has flourished this season. In the Premier League, there have been some notable performers thriving on the flanks. Here we take a look at those and marvel at the 10 best wingers of 2019\/20 so far.<\/p>\n

For the sake of consistency and clarity, we\u2019ve assessed footballers who have featured more times on the wing than say, up front, in the case of Richarlison and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang \u2014 two players who have both featured more prominently in the centre-forward role this term.<\/p>\n

10. Dwight McNeil<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Burnley have had a strange season, mixing runs of form with poor patches, but they look comfortable in 10th with nine games remaining. Part of the reason for their position has been the performances of McNeil who is continuing to grow under Sean Dyche.<\/p>\n

Playing both as a winger or a wide-midfielder, McNeil has been the creative hub at Burnley this season, creating 43 chances in the Premier League, more than any other Clarets player. The 20-year-old has also recorded the joint-most assists (five) and completed the most take-ons (61), but also ranks highly for tackles (41), with only James Tarkowski (49) managing more for Burnley.<\/p>\n

9. Harvey Barnes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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It has been quite the breakthrough season for Leicester’s academy gem, who featured sporadically last term, but has come to life under the paternalistic tutelage of Brendan Rodgers this campaign. Before the football calendar was disrupted there were whispers of an England call-up for Euro 2020 — and with good reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Foxes often find answers centrally, thanks to the metronomic exploits of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans, but in Barnes, Leicester have a creative cog out wide. The 22-year-old is the club’s top assist provider this term (six) and boasts the third-best output for both chances created (31) and goals scored (six).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ayoze Perez has looked impressive in spells, but at \u00a330m that was always expected. For Barnes, his barnstorming form has helped catapult Leicester into third — and he cost the club zilch.<\/p>\n

8. Raheem Sterling<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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There have been some arguments that Sterling has endured an underwhelming season, by his standards certainly \u2014 a goalless run stretching back to December would attest to this \u2014 but we\u2019re still looking at a winger who has netted 11 goals in just 24 games.<\/p>\n

That scoring metric is impressive enough for any wide player across an entire campaign, but considering there is still a third of the season left to play, this prolific streak is accentuated all the more. It is often the mark of a world class athlete that, even when the chips are down, results remain forthcoming. Despite not yet finding the back of the net in the Premier League in 2020, the England international continues to be an invaluable cog in Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut.<\/p>\n

7. Emiliano Buendia\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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To say Norwich City\u2019s top-flight future is in precarious territory would be an understatement to say the least, but wherever the Canaries find themselves next season, one thing is for certain: Buendia will be hot property in the next transfer window.<\/p>\n

That no wide player has created more chances than the balletic Argentinian this term (73) — the fourth most in the league — is testament to his ability, despite playing for the division’s basement club and the least prolific side. His seven assists and immense creative ability are magnified when considering the quality around him and it may not be outlandish to think La Albiceleste are keeping a close eye on his progress.<\/p>\n

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Emiliano Buend\u00eda is the only player in the 2019\/20 Premier League season with:<\/p>\n

\u274d 50+ tackles made
\u274d 50+ chances created
\u274d 50+ take-ons completed<\/p>\n

And leads the division for successful through-balls. ? pic.twitter.com\/caR72pXofm<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 2, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n