Chelsea target stars in best passing XI without a single Premier League player

WhoScored.com have covered plenty of stat XIs in recent weeks, and the latest installment focuses on the best pass success rate of those in Europe's top five leagues. 

For goalkeepers and forward players, we looked at those to boast the best pass accuracy of those to have attempted 350 or more passes this season. Defenders and midfielders are more active in build up play, so for those two positions, we looked at those to have attempted at least 1000 passes in Europe's top five leagues. 

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) - 87.7% pass success rate 

The archetypal sweeper keeper, Manuel Neuer is not only Bayern Munich's number one goalkeeper, but also their 11th outfield player. The Germany star is tasked with pushing the team forward from the very back to ensure FC Hollywood dominate sides with impressive regularity and it's reflected in his fine pass success rate of 87.7%, that not only better than any other goalkeeper, but the 144th best in Europe's top five leagues. 

Right-back: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona) - 91.2% 

Only Bayern Munich (63.2%) have a better average possession return than Barcelona (62.1%) in Europe's top five leagues this season and schooled in a possession based approach, Blaugrana stars need to be tidy on the ball. Sergi Roberto is one who has impressed when needing to recycle possession, with his two statistically calculated WhoScored strengths that are deemed to be Very Strong being 'Holding on to the ball' and 'Passing'. It's not a shock either given he has returned a pass success rate of 91.2% this season. 

Centre-back: Thiago Silva (PSG) - 95.5% 

Boasting the best pass success rate in Europe's top five leagues this season is PSG's Thiago Silva, with a whopping 95.5%. Across his 21 league outings, the experienced Brazilian has misplaced just 68 passes at a rate of 3.2 misplaced passes per game. He has returned a 100% pass success rate in three of his 20 league starts with Silva's distribution vital as PSG dominate sides with ease. 

Centre-back: Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) - 95% 

Between them, Presnel Kimpembe and Thiago Silva have made 2481 accurate passes, 49.6% of Getafe's total, with the LaLiga side making fewer accurate passes (5002) than any other team in Europe's top five leagues this term. The former partners the latter in this XI with his pass success rate of 95% second only to Silva in Europe's top five leagues this season. 

Left-back: David Alaba (Bayern Munich) - 90.2% 

Rounding off the backline in this setup is Bayern Munich defender David Alaba. The Austrian has once again been tidy in possession for the Bavarian powerhouse, with his pass success rate of 90.2% his best since 2015/16. Alaba may have been used more frequently at centre-back, yet is a left-back by trade and his spell at the heart of the Bayern defence will have improved him as a player. 

Defensive midfield: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) - 93.6% 

Real Madrid's pass master Toni Kroos features at the base of the midfield in this XI having maximised a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'passing' to great effect. Indeed, the German star finds a teammate with great regularity as his pass success rate of 93.6% suggests. 

Defensive midfield: Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund) - 94.1% 

Partnering Kroos in this midfield pair is Borussia Dortmund's Axel Witsel. The Belgium international has been a key member of the Bundesliga side's midfield on the back of his arrival 2018 arrival from Chinese Super League side Tianjin Tianhai, taking to his new surroundings like a duck to water, as he sets the tempo in this Dortmund midfield, which is reflected in his pass success rate of 94.1%. 

Right wing: Adama Traore (Metz) - 86.3% 

Following his summer move to Metz from Monaco, Adama Traore has routinely showcased just why he boasts a statistically calculated strength of 'holding on to the ball'. The 24-year-old has found a teammate with 86.3% of his 446 passes this season, with his composure in the final third essential in keeping Metz above the relegation zone. 

Attacking midfield: Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) - 87.1% 

Interest in Kai Havertz is high and understandably so, with the youngster the final Bundesliga representative in this XI. The Germany international has been impressive in front of goal this season as six goals and five assists shows, while his ability to link up play with his teammates is another weapon in his arsenal. Havertz makes this XI having returned an 87.1% pass success rate, with 'passing' now one of his statistically calculated WhoScored strengths. 

Left wing: Jeremie Boga (Sassuolo) - 86.1% 

The first of two Serie A representatives to complete this XI, Jeremie Boga has been linked with a return to Chelsea after some fine showings in a Sassuolo shirt this season. While a move back to London may not come to fruition, Boga has done enough to warrant interest across the continent, who would have been impressed by his ability to pick out a teammate as his pass success rate (86.1%) suggests. 

Striker: Paulo Dybala (Juventus) - 87.9% 

Paulo Dybala's Juventus career has been revived under Maurizio Sarri when it could have come to an end in the summer as a move to Tottenham fell through on deadline day. Since then, the Argentine has been a fine performer on the frontline for the Old Lady as his seven goals and four assists notes. His link up play, too, has stood out, with Dybala yielding a pass success rate of 87.9%.