Who are the best current free-kick takers in the Premier League?

Dead balls can become edge of the seat stuff if your team has the right player and an assist on your build-a-bet will always boost your odds.

Planet Sport looks at the current Premier League players who you should always consider adding to your slip.

James Ward-Prowse (West Ham)

It's no surprise the West Ham midfielder sits at the top of this list.

Since the start of the 2018/19 season Ward-Prowse has found the back of the net from a free-kick situation fifteen times, nearly twice as often as the second-best Premier League player who is still playing now.

The former Southampton ace has scored 17 free-kicks in the Premier League, ranking him second on the all-time list, only one behind his idol David Beckham.

Currently he has a free-kick conversion rate of 15.2%, surely it will only be a matter of time before he overtakes the former England captain.

James Maddison (Tottenham)

Since his Premier League debut in August 2018, Maddison hasn’t shown any nerves whilst playing at the top level in England.

The former Leicester midfielder has scored eight Premier league free-kick goals in total. The Spurs number 10 currently has a remarkable conversion rate of 26%.

Explaining his free-kick success Maddison said: “Predominantly I like to go over the wall when striking a free-kick, I will always do my research on the keeper before a game, this gives me the best opportunity to catch him out.”

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)

Trippier returned to the Premier League in January 2022 after spending two and a half years representing Atletico Madrid.
Since joining Newcastle, he has already become a vital part of their rise through the Premier League.

Trippier has a free-kick conversion rate of 16% having scored four direct free-kicks from only 25 attempts.

Speaking on how important set-pieces are Trippier said: “To be fair to Jason Tindall and Eddie Howe, we spend a lot of time on the training pitch on set plays, corners, wide free-kicks and we’ve managed to score quite a few this season from set pieces.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

The Liverpool academy graduate hasn’t been shy about showing off his free-kick ability.

In his first full season as a Liverpool starter the 18-year-old scored his first professional goal from a free-kick against Hoffenheim.

In the Premier League, Liverpool's right-back has made over 210 appearances, in that time he has helped himself to five free-kick goals.
A total of 41% of Alexander-Arnold’s Premier League goals have come from a free-kick.

Five years on from his 20th birthday, Alexander-Arnold has a free-kick conversion rate of 9%.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

The Belgian technician has been leaving Manchester City fans in awe for many years as they watch their star midfielder beat the free-kick wall and watch it fly into the roof of the opposition’s net.

Since the 2017/18 season De Bruyne has taken a total of 65 direct shots from a free-kick, scoring five goals in all competitions (four in the Premier League). His conversion rate is at 8%.

Comparing the City midfielder to one of the greats of the game Lionel Messi, the Argentinian has scored 22 goals directly from free-kicks, however, he has attempted 240 shots, leaving him with a conversion rate of 9%.

Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)

With Kevin De Bruyne picking up an injury in Manchester City’s first Premier League game this season away at Burnley, Julian Alvarez has been handed the responsibility by Pep Guardiola and his teammates to take free-kicks.

This season the City striker joined only a small group of players who have scored from a free-kick, those players include Matias Jensen at Brentford, Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling and Alexander-Arnold.

Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)

After struggling at Barcelona, Lucas Digne has found his form back in the Premier League.

In 2018, he swapped Barcelona for Everton where he would go onto make 113 appearances for the Toffees, before then transferring to Aston Villa in January 2022.

In Unai Emery’s first game as Aston Villa manager, the French left-back rifled a free-kick past Manchester United’s David De Gea as Villa ran out 3-1 winners.

Since his Premier League debut Digne has scored three Premier League free-kicks, leaving him with a conversion rate of 6%.

Christian Eriksen (Manchester United)

The Danish midfielder has made over 275 Premier League appearances whilst playing for Spurs, Brentford and Manchester United.

Since his debut in the Premier League in 2013, he has scored eight free-kicks from a total of 20 free-kicks leaving him with a conversion rate of 10%.

Speaking on his technique he stated: ““I always hit the ball with the side of my foot to allow it to dip last minute, when it comes to power I follow through when my foot contacts with the ball.”