Key Highlights
- The 2025-26 Premier League has seen a high number of defence-splitting through balls, with an average of 3.5 per 90 minutes.
- Arsenal and Manchester City lead in both attempts and successful completion of these passes, while Everton has shown significant improvement.
- Managers like Nuno Espírito Santo at Chelsea and Thomas Frank at Tottenham have struggled with through balls due to team dynamics and player availability.
- Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku stands out for his efficiency in executing through balls, contributing nine goals from such passes this season.
The Rise of Through Balls in the Premier League
The 2025-26 Premier League has seen a resurgence in creative play, with defence-splitting through balls becoming a staple strategy across teams. These passes are defined as those that split the opposition’s defensive line, allowing teammates to run onto the ball behind it.
Arsenal and Manchester City Dominating Through Balls
Both Arsenal and Manchester City have been leading in both attempts and successful completions of through balls this season. Arsenal has attempted 71 such passes but only saw 22 reach a teammate, while Manchester City, with 73 attempts, is incredibly efficient at completing 42 of them.
Everton’s Improvement
Everton, under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo, has shown significant improvement in executing through balls. Their 1.9 through balls per 90 minutes this season are their highest since 2019-20, with five resulting in goals. Key contributors include Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Challenges for Tottenham Hotspur
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur have struggled to execute through balls this season, ranking third from bottom in big chances created (1.2 per 90) and key passes (6.0 per 90). James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski’s absence has impacted their ability to penetrate defenses effectively.
Manchester City’s Efficiency
Manchester City have been particularly efficient with through balls, averaging 3.7 attempts per 90 minutes this season, the highest since 2018-19. Jeremy Doku has been pivotal in executing these passes, completing seven of them and contributing four assists to Erling Haaland.
Conclusion
The rise of through balls in the Premier League highlights a shift towards more creative play despite the league’s physical nature. Teams like Arsenal and Manchester City are excelling with these tactics, while others struggle due to specific player availabilities and tactical setups. As the season progresses, we can expect to see more emphasis on these passes as teams look for ways to break down stubborn defenses.