Previously, we looked at which teams in the Premier League have been the most successful from set-pieces – today, we’ll be looking at five teams who prefer to keep it on the ground (or do they?).
We’ll list the five Premier League teams who have made the most completed passes this season and rank them. Any type of pass is eligible for this list, from five-yard sideways balls to hail mary-esque diagonals from deep positions.
Nottingham Forest
This came as a surprise to us – but when you look at two of Nottingham Forest’s three (!) head coaches this season, it begins to make sense.
Of course, Sean Dyche has long been categorised as a ‘hoofball’ manager and not without good reason. Before him, however, there was Ange Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo.
They’re both very different managers in their own right, but they each like their teams to focus on retention of possession. Thanks to this, Forest have completed 3962 passes in the Premier League so far this season.
Arsenal
Arsenal are a strange case. Long gone are the days of Arsene Wenger’s patient build up play, as Mikel Arteta has cast this old philosophy aside in favour of playing a more direct game.
It’s somewhat surprising, then, to see the Gunners land a spot on this list. If anything, it is a testament to their quality – to have a passing completion rate of 82.9% from 4030 passes is impressive, especially whilst playing such often set-piece focused football.
Liverpool
This season has been all about high-octane counter-attacks, while looking to take advantages of turnovers in possession. Perhaps Liverpool didn’t get the memo?
They’ve been a scintillating team on the break previously, but have looked comparitively pedestrian in 2025/26.
It has been a difficult season for Arne Slot’s team so far, but they are admittedly keeping the ball well. They have completed 4299 passes this season – additionally, in Curtis Jones, they have one of the most reliable passers in the league. Jones has accumulated a passing completion rate of 92% in 2025/26.
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have kept the ball very effectively this season – but this should come as no surprise with players such as Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in their star-studded engine room.
The Blues have underachieved somewhat so far this season, but they have been excellent on the ball. As things stand, Chelsea have completed 4425 passes this season with a passing completion rate of 84.9%.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s style has certainly evolved throughout the years – one only needs to look back at the teething troubles he had upon his introduction to the Premier League as evidence of this. One thing has always remained the same, though – he doesn’t like his teams to concede possession.
Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising to see Manchester City at the top of this list. Not only have they completed the most passes in the Premier League this season with 4667, they also have the highest pass completition rate – at the time of writing, it stands at 86.7%.