Creative spark: A look at the players who have created most chances in ISL 2023-24
These players have the ability to produce something out of nothing for their teams
Scoring goals is probably the act that gets the most credit during a football match. But how many of those that fly behind the keepers are solely through the skills of the scorer?
Creating chances for a striker to find the back of the net is equally, if not more, important for a player to get his team past the victory line. His creativity, passing accuracy and vision, when combined with an inch-perfect execution, give the team opportunities that the scorer then converts to get his name on the scoresheet.
As the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season
Here are the players with the most chances created so far in the Indian Super League (ISL) Season 2023-24:
Seven chances-
FC Goa attacking midfielder, Brandon Fernandes, has been the most effective player in this department. Creating seven chances for his team in only 155 minutes, averaging a chance created every 22.14 minutes.
Since debuting for FC Goa in 2017, Fernandes has caught the attention of the fans through his wonderful footwork and vision. He has a knack for catching his opponents off-guard and penetrating through their defence. The 29-year-old has been creating the most chances for his team but unfortunately still has 0 goal contributions to his name.
Saul Crespo, also with seven chances created for his team, follows next. The East Bengal midfielder has an average of 38.57 minutes per chance created, having featured in every minute for his team this season.
In his first season with the Red and Gold, Crespo has shared the same fate as Fernandes. He has been highly effective for the team’s forward run but has failed to directly contribute in a goal. The former Ponferradina player has been crucial to the great start that East Bengal FC is enjoying this season.
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— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) June 7, 2023
Six chances-
Yoell van Nieff is the third on this list. Since joining Mumbai City FC in June this year, the Dutchman has created six goalscoring chances for the Islanders in only 161 minutes, averaging a chance created every 26.83 minutes, which is second best this season, right behind Fernandes.
Van Nieff is playing his first season in India and carries a huge responsibility on himself as a part of the defending ISL League winners’ squad. With the innovation that the defensive midfielder brings to the team, he has all eyes set on him, in the hope of seeing more of his brilliance in the remainder of the season.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant striker, and star signing of the summer, Jason Cummings takes the next spot in the list with six chances created in 202 minutes of field presence. With an average of a chance created every 33.67 minutes, Cummings has been one of the most impactful signings for an ISL team this season.
The Scottish-born Australia international has already shown his class for his new club, bagging four goals in four matches in the AFC Cup and two goals in three matches in the ISL, alongside an assist against the mighty Bengaluru FC. His positioning sense and perfectly timed runs are truly exceptional.
Greg Stewart, the Mumbai City FC forward has been a name heard quite often in the ISL since his arrival in India in 2021. The Scotsman has created six chances this season in 232 minutes. Averaging a chance created every 38.67 minutes, he has kept up his reputation in the league.
In his first season playing in India, for Jamshedpur FC, he led his team to the League Shield and bagged himself the Hero of the League award. He scored 10 goals and 10 assists that season and garnered interest from the Islanders, who then signed him the following season. He has been instrumental for Mumbai City FC League success last season. With an assist already to his name this season, the player seems set to become better with each match.
Dimitri Petratos, the Mohun Bagan Super Giant striker, is next on the list with six chances created in his 249 minutes. With a chance created every 41.50 minutes, the Australian has made himself an important part of the squad.
In his first season in India, Petratos went past the keeper 12 times, assisting seven goals in the process. Although he created a lot of chances for his team, initially he underwent some harsh criticism for missing quite a few sitters that season. The 30-year-old seems to have successfully turned things around as currently, he is one of the most loved players among the Mohun Bagan Super Giant fans. This season, he has already managed to find himself on the scoresheet twice in three matches while also assisting a crucial goal against Punjab FC in their opening fixture of the season.
NorthEast United FC midfielder Phalguni Singh follows next, having created six chances already this season, a chance every 43.33 minutes, in his 260 minutes on the field.
In his debut season in the ISL, Singh has managed to find the back of the net already, in the match against Chennaiyin FC. Signing from I-League side Sreenidi Deccan FC, where the defensive midfielder scored once and assisted six times during his two-year tenure, Singh seems set to have a noticeable first season.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 🪄 🎩
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 12, 2023
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Adrian Luna, Kerala Blasters attacking midfielder, is undoubtedly one of the most skilful players in the league. With six chances created in 270 minutes, averaging a chance created every 45 minutes, the Uruguayan has made his mark this season.
Since coming to India in 2021, Luna has bagged 10 goals and 13 assists in the previous two seasons. With two goals this season already in only three matches, he is set to skyrocket his goalscoring reputation. During this tenure, he has created 107 chances for his club, claiming the spot of one of the most creative players for the club.