Analysis: Is Kudus the best dribbler in Europe?

Mohammed Kudus has made an electrifying start to life at Tottenham Hotspur, providing four goals and scoring once. Adrian Clarke analyses the Ghanaian’s contributions so far, including a stellar display at Leeds United last time out.

Is Kudus the best dribbler in European football?

Spurs fans are enjoying the sight of summer signing Mohammed Kudus running down their right flank, taking the ball past defenders with his quick feet and blistering speed.

Head coach Thomas Frank has encouraged Kudus to express himself, and the talented winger has certainly been fun to watch, showing good degrees of confidence.

Watch Kudus' best moments of 2025/26 so far

This is not something new. In 2024/25, his final campaign at West Ham United, only Barcelona's Lamine Yamal (161) and Jeremy Doku (107) of Manchester City made more successful dribbles than Kudus (92) across Europe’s top five leagues.

Kudus topped those rankings the year before, and right now, once again, he leads the race as the most effective dribblers in Europe.

The Spurs winger is producing special numbers and currently leads a list that also includes Yamal and Kylian Mbappe in the top four.

Most dribbles attempted/completed in Europe's top five leagues 25/26

In Premier League terms, Kudus' 30 successful dribbles put him 11 ahead of his nearest rival, Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh (19).

And as shown on this graphic below, the bulk of those mesmerising runs have come down the right wing, where Kudus has teased a series of opposition left-backs.

No shortage of productivity

Kudus is currently the Premier League’s joint-leading assist maker, registering an impressive four in seven outings.

Three of those set up goals for striker Richarlison.

Kudus picked out the Brazilian with two crosses against Burnley, the second of which can be seen below.

The winger also made a crisp pass inside the box for Richarlison to score in a 2-2 draw at Brighton.

In the same match, although it did not count as an official assist, Kudus also swung a teasing left-footed cross into the box, a delivery that led to Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke putting the ball in his own net.

Kudus was also inspirational last time out, in a 2-1 success at Leeds United.

The 25-year-old released Mathys Tel with a precise through ball for Spurs' first goal, before scoring the winner himself from outside the box.

It was Kudus' quality that made the difference as he cut in from the right wing before unleashing a low left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

Watch Kudus' assist and goal against Leeds

Accurate deliveries

Kudus has already produced eight accurate crosses in open play, a figure that puts him on course to eclipsing the 21 he provided for West Ham in 2024/25.

Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Hugo Bueno (13) is the only player to have produced a higher number of accurate crosses this season.

When you factor in six accurate set-piece deliveries on top, it means Kudus is ranked second in the Premier League for successful crosses, behind only Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United.

Most successful crosses (inc. corners) 25/26

So, while beating his man with skill is a super-strength, Kudus is also proving he can supply top-class service into the box.

It is little wonder he is ranked joint-fifth for chances created in the division, on 13.

How do Spurs use him?

Kudus' team-mates are always looking to play forward passes into his feet, chest, or head.

Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has successfully found him with several long goal-kicks, while defender Pedro Porro and midfielders Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur also look for Kudus on a regular basis.

Only three top-flight players have received more progressive passes than he has during the early phase of this campaign, with Frank keen to involve him in the game on direct attacks.

Finding Kudus early, before opposition defences have got set up in their shape, is the key to bringing the best out of their gifted wide man.

Most progressive passes received 25/26

Battling for the team

Kudus is also a determined team player, who can make things happen by using his physicality.

He enjoys battling for duels, often chasing 50-50s with enthusiasm and throwing himself into contact situations.

No individual has been involved in more duels this season, and consequently, he is also the division’s leading duel winner.

Being a second striker

Kudus also works hard to get himself into the penalty area when the ball is on the other wing.

He has scored once this season already and if he continues taking up those positions, Kudus is sure to get on the scoresheet more regularly.

No other Premier League winger makes as many off-the-ball runs into the penalty area when the ball is in a crossing position, so he is effectively operating as a second striker.

Most off-the-ball runs into penalty area from wide positions 25/26

Spurs supporters will have been excited to see Kudus join them after impressing at West Ham - and seven matches in, they must be delighted with how positively he has impacted the side, making the right-wing position his own.

It feels like there are plenty more goals and assists to come from the continent’s most prolific dribbler.