Alex Iwobi: Why Fulham star ranks above Declan Rice in key Premier League stat

Alex Iwobi has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most creative midfielders this season, with a new role-based ranking placing the Fulham star above Arsenal’s Declan Rice.

A Ballity Insight Lab graphic comparing 50 Premier League midfielders in the 2026/27 season so far ranks Iwobi in the highest percentile for creators, ahead of several established names, including Rice.

The Nigerian is positioned in the chart’s Top Creator category, while the England international occupies the Best Overall section, reflecting the different responsibilities they perform in midfield.

The comparison highlights an important aspect of Iwobi’s game: his ability to create opportunities for teammates, even without necessarily being the player to give the final pass.

Why Alex Iwobi ranks above Rice as a creator

Ballity’s graphic evaluates midfielders across two role-specific categories: deep-lying playmaking and creativity.

This season’s Premier League midfielders (2026/27, league games only): deep-lying playmaking vs creating.

Rice is the best overall, Iwobi the top creator pic.twitter.com/aNYVCz71b9

— Ballity (@Ballityorg) November 4, 2026

Alex Iwobi scores exceptionally highly in both, reaching the top percentile for creators. Rice also ranks highly, but his strongest performance is in the deep-lying playmaker category, where his ability to influence build-up and progress possession is prominent.

The distinction is important because the ranking does not measure which midfielder has the most assists or the greatest overall influence. It assesses how effectively players perform within different midfield roles.

There is further statistical evidence behind Iwobi’s creative reputation. After nine Premier League appearances, the 30-year-old has created 20 chances for Fulham, compared with Rice’s 17 for Arsenal. Iwobi also has six big chances created, while Rice has three.

Those figures underline why the Nigerian features so prominently in the creator category, even though he has yet to register a league assist this season.

Rice, meanwhile, has five assists, demonstrating that his creative contribution has translated into more direct goal involvements.

Iwobi’s growing importance to Fulham and Nigeria

Iwobi’s development into a creative force has become an important part of his contribution at Fulham, an ability that was included in the scouting package when Marco Silva brought him to Craven Cottage from Everton.

Rather than being judged exclusively by goals and assists, his influence can also be seen in the opportunities he creates, his passing and his involvement in helping his team push higher up the pitch.

For Nigeria, those qualities offer another dimension to the Super Eagles’ midfield. Iwobi’s ability to find forward passes and create openings can help connect the midfield with the team’s attacking options.

He thrived in passes between the lines at the AFCON 2025 tournament, recording 36 line-breaking passes during the knockout stages alone (including 22 in one match against Mozambique and 14 in another), which was the highest figure recorded by any player in the tournament.

The comparison with Rice should not be interpreted as evidence that Iwobi is the better all-round midfielder. The Arsenal star’s five assists and his ranking as Ballity’s best overall midfielder illustrate the broader responsibilities he fulfils.

However, being placed ahead of Rice in the creator category is a notable recognition of how far Iwobi’s creative game has developed.

The Fulham midfielder is showing that his influence extends beyond his ability to carry the ball and link play. He is also becoming one of the Premier League’s most productive chance creators.