29 Chances created: Introducing the most underrated playmaker in Europe

Fiorentina have been sublime this season with some fantastic football on display and have been clinical in front of goal. Giuseppe Rossi has scored 14 goals in 12 matches, propelling him up to the top of the Serie A scoring charts. Many would say that the small Italian forward is La Viola’s most important player, but Borja Valero would beg to differ.

Valero is a creative midfielder who is capable of unlocking defences with consummate ease and on a regular basis. Rossi has benefitted from Valero’s superb attacking play. In their last match, the Spaniard made six key passes, more than anyone else.

In total, Valero has created 29 chances for his teammates in 14 matches. Since signing for Fiorentina in 2012, only Francesco Totti has created more goals in Serie A than Valero.

Valero’s chance creation in Serie A

He has chipped in with four league goals, too, which ranks him second just behind Rossi. Valero has been directly involved in 33% of Fiorentina’s goals in Serie A this season.

His shot accuracy is quite poor, though, having hit 43% of his shots on target. He does, however, score a goal with every 1.3 shots on target – impressive.

Valero’s shots this season

Valero’s control on the ball is fantastic. Whilst creating chances and being a constant threat on the opposition’s goal, he keeps Fiorentina ticking over and keeps their tempo high. He has completed 86% of his passes and only Daniele De Rossi has attempted more passes in the league this season. The Roma general has attempted 891 to Valero’s 874.

Valero’s Squawka Performance Score of 428 with only Rossi ahead of him who has 461 points. In comparison to the other midfielders in Serie A, Valero is ranked fifth in the Performance Score charts. He is 70 points behind Daniele Conti.

Valero Performance Score ranking in comparison to other midfielders

In his most recent match, against Verona, he was fantastic. His heat map shows how attacking he was and how much pressure he put on Verona’s midfield and defence. This is the perfect heat map for an attacking midfielder.

Valero’s heat map vs. Verona

He is influential in the final third of the pitch, completing the second-most passes in that area of the pitch in Europe. Only Xavi has completed more.

Valero is a dream playmaker for any striker and it’s clear to see based on how Giuseppe Rossi is performing. His chance creation and ball retention means he is quite easily the most underrated playmaker in Italy.