Berbatov-Best Playmaking Striker of Recent Times?

Does he have the best passing ability of a forward in recent time?


I have watched Mitko for over 7 years now(returned from NZ in 2001; in NZ hadnt watched Football for 5 years there-Auckland Knights don't count).

At first glance when I watched him as a sub for Bayer he just seemed like a big guy with heading ability; good first touch; good physical attributes and allright finishing. Obviously when he was just starting out in Bundesliga he needed time to adapt. At the time he had to wait because there was a legenedary striker still playing for Bayer. Memorably he did get to play a CL Final against Real as a sub and squandared a golden opportunity late into the game. Although in his first 67 appearances(mostly as a sub) he scored only 16 goals but did show enough to be looked upon as a replacement for Ulf.

When Ulf Kirsten stepped down; Berbatov was set to shine; at first Bayer relied more on their great team at the time(Ze Roberto; Ballack; Placente; Lucio; Juan; Schneider; Yıldıray Baştürk; Jens Nowotny) but with constant sells after the CL Final there was little left of that team an year latter. With great solo goals and ability to combine regardless of partner(Voronin; Franca; Brdaric); he developed his killer first touch; and greatly improved his dribbling skills. And despite the awfully slow start finnished his time at Bayer with a good 68 goals in 152 matches. His last season at Bayer was one with a slow start; he had found the back of the net only a few times in half a season(same with his partner Voronin). Bayer was sitting right above relegation and things didnt look good. Second part of the season his form returned and he finnished with 21 goals for Bayer in the League while they finished in a UEFA Cup Place.

His move was a matter of time. Berbatov had a fantastic record for his country which right now stands at 39 goals in 62 matches. He has been a regular for nearly a decade now and although Bulgaria has failed to really make an impact on any stage-he has constantly been our best player.

The Change Tottenham-some might say that players gain new things from moving to new leagues. There is no doubt that Berbatov has gained alot in his time in England. There he has not been allowed to waltz through the field all the way to a position to shot. He has become a rare thing in today's football a striker-creator. With the fast closing down of the EPL he has had one option and he has exploited it-great first touch followed by a pass. And his passing has gone forward with strides. Honestly watching him now I wonder how this is the same player who for years has been called greedy by our media. They have said that his heading has improved while in England while they fail to say how his passing has become almost playmaking. There is no doubt that Jol and Ramos have seen this hence Berbatov always dropping back trying to orginise play and sometimes even used as a attacking midfielder. Some of the outside the foot passing he has done recently has had me as much enchanted as some of his goals.

I have to say that this type of passing game from a striker - is something I have not seen in recent years. There are certain players who do it but they are not typical strikers or have never really been constantly used in such a position(Zlatan being an exception of sorts).
This season although it's quite difficult to find statistics he had around 12 assists in the EPL alone in January. Right now it's probably around 15-and he probably got a few in the UC;FA Cup; Carling Cup as well.

BTW If anyone can dig out a site where they have statistics for assists that would be great.