Rodri Leads Premier League Line-Breaking Passes per 90
Goalscorers often receive most of the attention when it comes to football statistics, but some of the most important work happens before the final pass or shot.
Line-breaking passes are one way of measuring how effectively players move the ball through or beyond an opponent’s defensive or midfield structure. They can help a team progress up the pitch, create space and put attacking players into more dangerous positions.
According to the ranking shown in the supplied graphic, Manchester City’s Rodri led the Premier League in completed line-breaking passes per 90 minutes during the 2025/26 season, with 11.36.
Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke was second on 7.76, followed by Chelsea’s Andrey Santos on 7.60.
The ranking provides an interesting perspective on players who influence matches without necessarily appearing on the scoresheet.
Premier League Line-Breaking Passes per 90: Top 10
| Rank | Player | Club | Line-Breaking Passes P90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodri | Manchester City | 11.36 |
| 2 | Jan Paul van Hecke | Brighton | 7.76 |
| 3 | Andrey Santos | Chelsea | 7.60 |
| 4 | Casemiro | Manchester United | 7.44 |
| 5 | Lisandro MartÃnez | Manchester United | 7.06 |
| 6 | Bruno Guimarães | Newcastle United | 6.97 |
| 7 | Elliot Anderson | Nottingham Forest | 6.80 |
| 8 | Nico González | Manchester City | 6.75 |
| 9 | Jorge Cuenca | Fulham | 6.66 |
| 10 | Curtis Jones | Liverpool | 6.49 |
What Is a Line-Breaking Pass?
A line-breaking pass is essentially a pass that bypasses one or more opponents and advances the ball into a more advantageous area.
For example, a midfielder receiving the ball from a centre-back could play a pass directly through the opposition midfield into an attacking midfielder.
That single pass can potentially:
- Take several defenders out of the game
- Move the team into the final third
- Create space for another player
- Start an attacking move
- Put a forward into a dangerous position
Research into line-breaking passes describes them as important tactical actions because they can penetrate defensive lines and allow teams to access more valuable attacking spaces.
This is why simply counting total passes does not always tell the complete story.
A player could make 100 safe passes sideways and backwards, while another makes fewer passes but repeatedly breaks through opposition lines.
1. Rodri – 11.36 Line-Breaking Passes per 90
The biggest surprise may not be that Rodri tops the list, but rather how far ahead he is.
His 11.36 line-breaking passes per 90 are significantly higher than the 7.76 recorded by second-placed Jan Paul van Hecke.
Rodri’s ability to dictate games from midfield has been one of Manchester City’s defining characteristics.
The Spaniard combines:
- Passing range
- Composure under pressure
- Positional awareness
- Ball retention
- Progressive distribution
- Tactical intelligence
The Premier League has previously highlighted his extraordinary passing numbers, noting that by the end of 2025/26 he had completed 15,164 Premier League passes since joining City, the most among midfielders in that period.
Betting angle
Rodri’s influence is important when analysing Manchester City matches.
A bettor looking at a City fixture should not only focus on Haaland goals or match-winner markets. The team’s ability to control possession and progress the ball through midfield can also help inform markets such as:
- Manchester City to win
- Manchester City team goals
- Total match goals
- Both teams to score
Of course, a high line-breaking-pass rate does not guarantee a City victory. Matchups, injuries, tactics and current form still matter.
2. Jan Paul van Hecke – 7.76
The presence of Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke in second place is one of the most interesting aspects of the ranking.
At first glance, fans might expect a list like this to be dominated by attacking midfielders.
Instead, van Hecke demonstrates how modern centre-backs can become important playmakers.
From the heart of defence, a successful line-breaking pass can immediately bypass an opposition press and give Brighton’s midfielders or forwards room to attack.
This type of distribution is particularly valuable for teams that want to build attacks from the back.
3. Andrey Santos – 7.60
Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos ranks third with 7.60 line-breaking passes per 90 in the supplied data.
His presence highlights the importance of progressive passing from central midfield.
Interestingly, the Premier League’s own analysis of Santos’ 2025/26 numbers noted that he averaged 57.1 passes per 90 and completed 90.1% of them, ranking ahead of Manchester United’s main central midfield options in those measures. The league also described his distribution as helping his team move onto the front foot rather than simply retaining possession.
That distinction is crucial.
Possession is useful, but progression is what can turn possession into attacking opportunities.
4. Casemiro – 7.44
Casemiro’s fourth-place position is another interesting feature.
The Manchester United midfielder is traditionally associated with defensive work, tackling and ball recovery, but his inclusion shows another side of his game.
A line-breaking pass from a deeper midfield position can rapidly change the direction of an attack.
For United, getting the ball forward efficiently from midfield can be particularly important when facing teams that press high.
Betting angle
When analysing a Manchester United fixture, midfield availability can have a major influence on how the team performs.
Instead of looking exclusively at goalscorers, bettors can consider whether United have the midfield personnel capable of progressing the ball against the specific opponent.
5. Lisandro MartÃnez – 7.06
Another Manchester United player appears at number five.
Lisandro MartÃnez’s 7.06 line-breaking passes per 90 underline how modern defenders are increasingly expected to contribute to attacking construction.
Centre-backs are no longer simply responsible for winning tackles and defending crosses.
At elite level, they are often the first players responsible for breaking an opponent’s press.
A defender who can pass through the first line of pressure gives his team another way to attack.
6. Bruno Guimarães – 6.97
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães occupies sixth place with 6.97.
His game combines defensive intensity with technical ability and progressive distribution.
That makes him particularly valuable in midfield because he can help Newcastle transition from defending to attacking.
When a player can win the ball and then immediately play through an opposition line, the transition can become much more dangerous.
Betting angle
For Newcastle matches, midfield control can be an important part of assessing:
- Newcastle’s chances of winning
- Total goals
- Both teams to score
- Newcastle’s attacking potential
Again, these statistics should be treated as one part of a wider match analysis, rather than as a prediction by themselves.
7. Elliot Anderson – 6.80
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson ranks seventh with 6.80 line-breaking passes per 90.
His inclusion is a reminder that progressive passing is not exclusive to players at the traditional “Big Six” clubs.
Anderson’s ability to move the ball through midfield can help Forest transition quickly and create opportunities higher up the pitch.
8. Nico González – 6.75
Manchester City’s Nico González is eighth at 6.75.
His inclusion alongside Rodri gives Manchester City two players in the top 10.
That is significant because it suggests City have multiple midfield options capable of advancing the ball through opposition structures.
For a possession-heavy side, having several players who can break lines can make it more difficult for opponents to simply sit deep and wait.
9. Jorge Cuenca – 6.66
Fulham defender Jorge Cuenca takes ninth place with 6.66.
Like van Hecke and MartÃnez, his presence demonstrates how important passing from defence has become.
A centre-back who can consistently find midfielders between the opposition’s lines can give his team a significant advantage during buildup.
10. Curtis Jones – 6.49
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones completes the top 10 with 6.49 line-breaking passes per 90.
His inclusion is particularly interesting because Liverpool’s midfielders often have to combine ball progression with pressing, positional rotations and transitions.
Other data also shows Jones as a high-volume passer: StatMuse records him at 69.70 total completed passes per 90 in the 2025/26 Premier League, behind Rodri’s 87.02 in that particular measure.
That distinction is worth remembering: total completed passes and line-breaking passes are different statistics.
Why Do Line-Breaking Passes Matter for Goals?
A line-breaking pass does not automatically result in a goal.
However, it can be an important step in the attacking sequence.
Imagine a team building from defence:
Centre-back → midfielder → attacking midfielder → winger → striker → shot
If the midfielder’s pass eliminates two or three opponents, the receiving player may suddenly have significantly more space.
That can lead to:
Line-breaking pass → attacking progression → chance creation → shot → potential goal
This is why progressive passing statistics can provide additional context when analysing teams and players.
Research into football passing has also found positive relationships between passing activity and goals, although passing volume alone does not determine scoring outcomes.
Does More Line-Breaking Passing Mean More Goals?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most important points when using the statistic for football analysis.
A player can be excellent at breaking lines while playing for a team that struggles to finish chances.
Likewise, a team can create plenty of opportunities through other methods, including:
- Crosses
- Counter-attacks
- Set pieces
- Dribbling
- Long passes
- Individual brilliance
Therefore, line-breaking passes should be combined with other statistics.
For betting analysis, consider pairing them with:
- Goals scored
- Expected goals (xG)
- Shots on target
- Big chances
- Possession
- Passing accuracy
- Recent form
- Home and away performance
- Injuries and suspensions
- Starting lineups
How Line-Breaking Passes Can Help Your Football Betting Analysis
This is where the statistic becomes particularly interesting for bettors.
Most casual football analysis focuses on goalscorers and final results.
But understanding how a team creates attacks can provide another layer of information.
Manchester City
If Rodri is available and operating effectively in midfield, City’s ability to progress the ball can be an important factor when assessing their attacking potential.
Brighton
Van Hecke’s presence near the top of the ranking highlights Brighton’s ability to progress possession from defence.
Manchester United
With both Casemiro and Lisandro MartÃnez featuring in the top five, United’s ability to progress the ball from deeper areas is an interesting factor to monitor.
Newcastle
Bruno Guimarães’ presence highlights the importance of midfield progression to Newcastle’s build-up and transitions.
Liverpool
Curtis Jones’ inclusion provides another midfield statistic to consider when assessing Liverpool’s attacking structure.
Turn the Statistics into Better Match Analysis with BangBet
Football betting becomes more interesting when you look beyond the obvious numbers.
Before backing your favourite Premier League team, consider combining statistics such as line-breaking passes, goals, xG, shots and recent form with the specific matchup.
For example, if Manchester City are playing a side that presses aggressively, Rodri’s ability to progress the ball could become an important tactical factor.
If Brighton face a high press, van Hecke’s distribution may be worth considering when assessing how Brighton could escape pressure.
The same principle applies across the Premier League.
With BangBet, you can follow the biggest Premier League fixtures and explore available football betting markets for the teams and players you support.
Study the numbers, assess the matchup and make your own betting decision.
No statistic—including line-breaking passes—can guarantee a winning bet.
Final Verdict: Rodri’s Lead Is the Biggest Talking Point
The most striking feature of the ranking is Rodri’s 11.36 line-breaking passes per 90, placing him comfortably ahead of Jan Paul van Hecke and Andrey Santos.
But perhaps the bigger story is the variety of players involved.
The top 10 includes:
- Midfield controllers
- Centre-backs
- Defensive midfielders
- Box-to-box midfielders
That tells us something about modern Premier League football: progressive passing is no longer the responsibility of one position.
Defenders are expected to build attacks. Midfielders must progress possession. Teams need players who can bypass pressure and move the ball into dangerous areas.
For football bettors, these statistics provide another tool for analysing how teams may approach their next match.
So, when you next look at a Premier League fixture on BangBet, don’t only ask “Who will score?”
Ask:
“Who is going to break the opposition’s lines?”
That could be the key to understanding where the attacking opportunities come from.
Analyse the numbers. Follow the football. Bet responsibly with BangBet.
