Big chances and chances created explained
What chances created and big chances mean, how they differ from assists, why big chances measure quality as well as quantity, and how to read them sensibly.
The idea in one sentence
Chances created counts how many times a player's pass sets up a shot for a teammate, whether or not it is scored. A big chance is a step further: a clear-cut opportunity where the receiver would normally be expected to score. Together the two measure how often a player creates openings and how good those openings are, capturing chance creation more fully than the assist column ever could.
How they are counted
A chance created, sometimes called a key pass, is recorded whenever a pass leads directly to a shot. A big chance is judged separately: it is flagged when an opportunity is clear enough that a goal is the likely outcome, typically a good look from close range or a one-on-one. Because a big chance is a judgement about clarity, it captures the difference between a hopeful cross and a gilt-edged opening in a way a simple shot assist cannot.
Why they beat assists
An assist only counts if the shot is scored, which the creator cannot control. Chances created reward the act of setting up a shot regardless of the finish, and big chances add the crucial element of quality. A player can create many big chances yet collect few assists if teammates keep missing, and these numbers reveal that creativity even during a barren run, giving a truer sense of who is really unlocking defences.
How to read them sensibly
The most telling comparison is between big chances created and actual assists. A large gap suggests wasteful finishing by teammates that is likely to correct over time. Big chances missed, meanwhile, highlight profligate finishing by the players receiving them. As always, a single match can mislead, so these numbers are best judged over a longer run, and read alongside expected assists for a rounded view of creation.
Where you will see them
Chances created and big chances appear throughout match analysis and player comparison, especially when assessing creative midfielders and wingers. They sit naturally beside expected assists, which put a probability on each chance, offering a more intuitive count of openings and their quality. For anyone trying to see past the assist column to who is genuinely creating the best opportunities, they are among the most useful measures available.