The Premier League has been blessed with some truly great playmakers over the years, but the English game had long failed to facilitate the creativity seen in other footballing models across Europe.
During the formative years of the Premier League, English football was defined by the principles of yesteryear. The 4-4-2 was worshipped across the country as if it was the Second Coming of Christ, while functional wingers who could get down the byline and cross unrelentingly were celebrated just like the Italians fetishised over trequartisti.
However, the subtlest of changes from Sir Alex Ferguson would spark a revolution. The genius of Eric Cantona was too obvious for the legendary Scot to ignore and thus, the 4-4-1-1 and the Premier League playmaker were born. The years thereafter involved English clubs attempting to find their Cantona; their savvy operator between the opposition’s lines.
While replicating Cantona’s magic was an impossible task, the Premier League has nonetheless seen some masterful creators who pick up assists for fun. Ironically, the all-time assist leader, Ryan Giggs, was a winger!
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Who has the most assists in a single Premier League season?
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry currently hold the joint-record for most assists in a single Premier League season.
Henry smashed the previous record of 16 held by Cantona (1992/93) as he registered 20 during the 2002/03 season. The Frenchman came close to winning the Golden Boot that year, too, but he was pipped to the post by Ruud van Nistelrooy. Despite his incredible campaign, Henry was unable to thrust the Gunners to the title as Man Utd reclaimed their crown.
Henry’s monster assist haul was almost matched two seasons later by Frank Lampard, who notched 18 as Chelsea lifted their maiden Premier League title. Cesc Fabregas came close to rivalling Henry on two occasions (17 in 2007/08 and 18 in 2014/15) before Mesut Ozil racked up 19 assists in 2015/16.
The German playmaker looked a sure bet to topple Henry’s record as he racked up 16 assists through 19 games, but Ozil would struggle down the stretch as Arsenal‘s title charge faltered.
De Bruyne has dominated the assist charts since and he finally reached the magic 20 during the Covid-hit 2019/20 season. The Belgian’s assists were spread out across the entire campaign, and he recorded two in City’s final two games to match Henry’s mammoth haul.
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