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Real Madrid's Isco and Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan - Top 10 in form attacking midfielders

Brendon Netto - Senior Writer 12:22 05/09/2017

Isco is the talk of the footballing world at the moment as he appears to be finally putting his immense talent on show for all to marvel at.

The Real Madrid star scored twice as Spain thrashed Italy 3-0 on Saturday to close in on qualification for the World Cup.

Isco’s career at Real Madrid got off to a mixed start. After joining in 2013, it has taken some time for him to flourish but has now established himself under Zinedine Zidane in the last year.

His measured free-kick on Saturday opened the scoring 13 minutes in for Spain before he doubled his side’s advantage with drilled effort just before half-time.

He also produced a scintillating display with his overall performance in midfield, dancing past players and even leaving with Marco Verratti red-faced with a cheeky nutmeg.

Isco is considered arguably the best attacking midfielder in the world on current form.

Here’s our top 10.

MESUT OZIL | ARSENAL | GERMANY

Given Arsenal’s poor start to the season, Mesut Ozil may be a surprise inclusion but even when the German doesn’t appear to be making a solid enough impact, he’s still creating chance after chance.

In fact, despite failing to register an assist, the playmaker has averaged four key passes a game in the Premier League so far this season, only Henrikh Mkhitaryan has managed more (4.3) but has five assists to show for it.

Meanwhile, Ozil shone in Germany’s 6-0 rout of Norway on Monday night, scoring and assisting for the national team.

RIYAD MAHREZ | LEICESTER CITY | ALGERIA

Despite angling for a move away from Leicester City this summer, the Algerian remains at the Liberty Stadium.

To his credit though, he hasn’t kicked up a fuss but has instead put his head down and been professional.

Mahrez has started the new season in fine form, registering two assists for The Foxes so far.

EMIL FORSBERG | RB LEIPZIG | SWEDEN

Topping the assists charts in the Bundesliga with 19 last season, Emil Forsberg doesn’t look like he’s going to slow down.

The Swede has one assist in two games this season and got on the score sheet for Sweden on Sunday.

DAVID SILVA | MANCHESTER CITY | SPAIN

Like Ozil, David Silva has also averaged four key passes a game in the league this season but has two assists to his name at Manchester City.

While the Spaniard has struggled with injury last season, he’s started this term in fine form and appears to be key to Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Even with the rise of Kevin de Bruyne and the arrival of Bernardo Silva, he remains the man entrusted with orchestrating City’s attacks.

NABIL FEKIR | LYON | FRANCE

At just 24, Nabil Fekir has taken on a leading role at Lyon.

The skipper is at the heart of every attack and has three goals and an assist in the opening four games of Ligue 1 this season.

DELE ALLI | TOTTENHAM | ENGLAND

The England international is one of the most promising talents in Europe and is proving so again this season.

He’s already bagged two goals in the opening three Premier League fixtures with Tottenham and got on the score sheet against Malta on Friday as well.

The 21-year-old only appears to be growing in confidence with every passing game and will be a central figure for England come Russia 2018.

SUSO | AC MILAN | SPAIN

The former Liverpool man has thrived at AC Milan and the start of this season has been no different.

In only five outings, he already has two goals and four assists to his name. His match-winning performance against Cagliari in Serie A particularly stands out.

At only 23, Suso earned a call-up to the latest Spain squad and could have a role to play in the World Cup next summer.

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN | MANCHESTER UNITED | ARMENIA

After an average first season at Manchester United that featured some moments of brilliance but plenty of inconsistency as well, Henrikh Mkhitaryan appears to have come into his own at the start of this campaign.

The Armenian has already registered five assists in three league games this season as Jose Mourinho’s played him in his favoured No10 role.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN | TOTTENHAM | DENMARK

While Alli is more prolific for Spurs in front of goal, Christian Eriksen is the one who makes them tick.

The Dane pulls the strings in midfield and has already notched up three assists in as many league outings this season.

Meanwhile, he’s also had his shooting boots on for Denmark, scoring a beauty and picking up three assists in a 4-0 win over Poland on Friday before scoring a sublime free-kick against Armenia on Monday night.

ISCO | REAL MADRID | SPAIN

Apart from his phenomenal display for Spain against Italy, Isco has also become a key figure in a star-studded Real Madrid side.

Zinedine Zidane has even altered the system to play to the strengths of the Spaniard, while it also benefits an aging Cristiano Ronaldo to more as a centre forward along with Karim Benzema.

Isco was the driving force behind Madrid’s charge to retaining their Champions League title last season.

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