Who are the best passers in the EFL Championship judging by PFF metrics?

Using PFF data and grades, we will aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the best passers in the EFL Championship this season.

PFF Passing Grade:

PFF grades each event on a -2 to +2 scale with increments of 0.5, with 0 being the expected grade. For example, an unpressured pass to an open target that is completed earns a 0 grade, while a pass that breaks through a defensive line under pressure is above expectation and likely rewarded with a positive grade.

Unlike traditional data, PFF measures “performance relative to expectation” instead of just traits or measurable factors. The system looks at every play, creating a large sample size that eliminates bias and identifies undervalued players while avoiding player hype. The grading process evaluates players objectively, regardless of perceived ability.

Here are the best PFF passing grades from the Championship this season:

Player Name	Team	Position	PFF passing grade	Events
Matt Grimes	Swansea	CM	99.6	2,147
Jean Michaël Seri	Hull City	CM	92.3	1,087
Josh Cullen	Burnley	CM	91.0	1,538
Jay Fulton	Swansea	CM	88.8	1,089
Connor Roberts	Burnley	FB	88.6	1,369

Line-breaking passes completed:

There is one clear standout when it comes to line-breaking passers in the Championship, Matt Grimes’ 410 are more than any player in Europe’s top 5 leagues, his 10.4 completed line-breaking passes per 90 is also third among Europe’s best, with only Marco Verratti (14.6) and Toni Kroos (12.0) with a higher tally. (Minimum 800 minutes played).

Player Name	Team	Position	LB passes completed	LB passes completed per-90
Matt Grimes	Swansea	CM	410	10.4
Gustavo Hamer	Coventry City	CM	249	7.6
Jonny Howson	Middlesbrough	CM	235	6.1
Taylor Harwood-Bellis	Burnley	CB	231	8.2
Ben Cabango	Swansea	CB	225	6.1

Completed line-breaking passes per 90 across some of Europe's leagues:

Ligue 1: Marco Veratti – 14.6
La Liga: Toni Kroos – 12.0
Championship: Matt Grimes – 10.4
Bundesliga: Joshua Kimmich – 9.8
Premier League: Mateo Kovacic – 9.5
Serie A: Stefano Sensi – 9.5

🎯 pic.twitter.com/DgUvNeJDdn

— PFF FC (@PFF_FC) March 29, 2023

Through ball passes completed:

Australian Riley McGree leads the league in through ball passes completed. Since Michael Carrick took the manager’s job Middlesbrough have averaged 2.26 points per game (which beats Vincent Kompany’s 2.24 points per game with Burnley)

Player Name	Team	Position	TB passes completed	TB passes completed per-90
Riley McGree	Middlesbrough	WAM	48	1.5
Max Aarons	Norwich City	FB	41	1.1
Gustavo Hamer	Coventry City	CM	38	1.2
Grady Diangana	West Bromwich Albion	WAM	37	1.6
Kasey Palmer	Bristol City	WAM	33	1.6

Key Passes (passes leading to a shot at goal):

Despite playing in just 77% of available minutes, QPR’s IIiais Chair ranks second in key passes completed, he has been involved in 32% of QPR’s goals this season, losing Chair to injury has been a contributing factor to their poor run of form

Player Name	Team	Position	Key passes completed	Key passes completed per 90
Ryan Manning	Swansea	FB	83	2.3
Iliais Chair	QPR	WAM	79	2.5
John Swift	West Bromwich Albion	WAM	76	2.5
Oliver Norwood	Sheffield United	CM	70	1.8
Ryan Giles	Middlesbrough	FB	64	1.7

Below is every single player in the Championship plotted against their PFF passing grade and event involvements in the league this season: