Joshua Kimmich, Benjamin Pavard and the Bundesliga's top 5 passers in 2022/23
Bayern Munich stars Joshua Kimmich and Benjamin Pavard can sure pick a pass - but they're not the only ones. bundesliga.com looks at who else ranked among the German top flight's most effective passers in 2022/23...
1) Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich +72.9 pass efficiency)
He's been operating at a world-class level for years, and it is no surprise that Kimmich was the lynchpin once again for a Bayern side that ground their way to yet another championship win in a rollercoaster title race. The Germany international was at his dependable best again in midfield, playing more minutes over 2022/23 season than any other Bayern player. He hit the second most passes from open play in the Bundesliga, and a whopping 90 percent of them found their target. He finished the season as statistically the most efficient passer in the Bundesliga by some distance.
Watch: Joshua Kimmich - pass master
2) Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich, +45.9 pass efficiency)
The France international defender with a penchant for the spectacular showed over the 2022/23 campaign that he is a vital cog in Bayern's passing machine. He had the third-most touches on the ball of any Bundesliga player over the season (2,742), while his formidable 92 percent pass completion rate was matched with the second-best pass efficiency figure in the entire league. He also chipped in with four goals and an assist.
Watch: Benjamin Pavard loves a volley
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3) Milos Veljkovic (Werder Bremen, +43.0 pass efficiency)
While his attacking teammates Niclas Füllkrug and Marvin Ducksch earned most of the attention as Bremen battled their way to survival in their first season following promotion, a defence anchored by Veljkovic provided a great platform. The Serbia international was fond of launching quick attacks from the back with searching balls forward - only three players in the league hit more than his 247 long passes from open play. His 86 percent passing completion and third-best pass efficiency of +43 highlight his remarkable accuracy.
4) Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund, +37.0 pass efficiency)
Germany international Süle proved to be more than just a rock at the back as Borussia Dortmund mounted a spirited title bid. He played the second most passes of any player on his side (1,735) as BVB built up from the back to scintillating effect. Süle's 93 percent pass completion rate was bettered by only three players in the Bundesliga - and his 37 passes more than expected over the season were also the fourth best.
5) Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund, +36.3 pass efficiency)
The Dortmund left-back was an integral part in the attacking force that very nearly propelled the club to the title in what proved to be Guerreiro's final season at the club. He hit over 36 passes more than expected over the season, with an 86 percent pass completion rate - the kind of figures that led to him being moved into central midfield on a number of occasions, and winning the honour of Bundesliga Player of the Month for March. Guerreiro was the Bundesliga's leading assist provider in 2022/23, setting up 12 goals.
Top 5s 2022/23
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