The five best passers so far in 2024/25
Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim make the list but are not at the top. At the half-way point of a season in which the top three clubs boast the five best passers in the division, bundesliga.com runs the rule over these consummate distributors ...
1. Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), 95.51 per cent
After clocking the Bundesliga's top pass completion rate as he played a prominent role in Leverkusen's record-breaking season 2023/24, Tah again sits atop the standings in the current campaign. The Germany stopper has been the model of consistency in Xabi Alonso's side so far this season, shining brightly as he played every minute of every match (with two goals and an assist) while Die Werkself suffered just one defeat in 15 outings - and headed into the winter break in second place on the back of an impressive five-match win streak.
2. Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), 95.31 per cent
The first of four Bayern players in the top six for percentage of successful passes from open play, Upamecano is just a whisker off Tah's blistering pace in second. Clearly loving life under new coach Vincent Kompany, the France centre-half has improved his passing exponentially since last season, when he wasn't even in the top 99! His performances have proven invaluable to the league leaders, whose only Bundesliga defeat of the season so far came in the one match in which he wasn't in the starting XI - Matchday 14's 2-1 loss to Mainz.
3. Minjae Kim (Bayern Munich), 94.19 per cent
Also with massive improvement in this area is Upamecano's central defensive partner Minjae Kim, whose imposing 6'3" frame has done nothing to hinder his rocketing into the top three after also finishing outside the top 99 last season. The South Korea international has started every Bundesliga match for Kompany this season - 14 times alongside Upamecano - and their partnership has gradually improved to aid in the Bavarians' table-topping record of 11 wins, three draws and just one defeat.
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4. Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), 93.15 per cent
Although it's Egyptian goal machine Omar Marmoush who has been stealing the headlines at Frankfurt this season, central defender Robin Koch has also been in stunning form. The Germany stopper, who made last season's loan from Leeds United permanent with a free transfer in the summer, is proving to be one of the signings of the season. His assured presence and precise distribution have provided a firm foundation at the back so that the likes of Marmoush and striker partner Hugo Ekitiké can do their thing - and it's clearly a viable formula. Coach Dino Toppmöller is certainly convinced, having started Koch in all 15 matches so far this season - five of which saw him don the captain's armband - as the Eagles climbed as high as second before heading into the winter break in third.
Watch: Joshua Kimmich wins Goal of the Month for December!
5. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), 93.08 percent
After playing the final 12 matches of last season at right-back, Bayern and Germany captain Kimmich has been relishing his return to defensive midfield duties under Kompany. Although this move has meant playing under more pressure, the 29-year-old has excelled in terms of distribution, helping his side to rack up the league's best overall pass completion rate - an eye-watering 90.8 percent! What's more, on top of moving the ball better than any other midfielder in the division, Kimmich is also a serious goal threat - as his Goal of the Month for December, a real belter in the big win over Leipzig, showed in no uncertain terms.
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