feggydinho
Senior Member
To extend the discussion on the "Hazard profile wingers", I think the exposure of super speedsters in top teams have distorted people's perception of what a top dribbler needs to take on players. In my opinion, the best elite PL players in dribbling in the past few years has been Hazard and Riyad Mahrez. Mahrez is a tier below Hazard's peak but he was insanely good for Leicester and is really good at City. Neither of these players are speedsters.
Insane speed certainly makes things easier but it is not a requirement. Use of shoulder drop, your first one to three steps, and reading of the opponent. Thiago is far from being quick and he is excellent at taking on players. Pogba isn't either, but he is excellent. The best example is Messi, who's no longer a speedster, is on the slower side, and is still one of the best in the world when it comes to dribbling.
I think reading the opponent, anticipation, spatial awareness, and skill/technique is the most important attribute for dribblers.
just to add, the best player in dribbling in the prem has to be Adama (the guy literally glides past players, and still has good feints). shame about his end product though