Players With Most Premier League Assist Record In Single Season

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has joined an elite group of Premier League playmakers after equalling the record for the most assists in a single season.

The Portuguese midfielder registered his 20th assist of the 2025/26 campaign during Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

His latest contribution means he has now drawn level with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who reached 20 assists in the 2002/03 season, and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who matched the same tally in the 2019/20 campaign.

Naija News reports that Fernandes will now go into the final round of Premier League fixtures for the 2025/26 season on May 24 against Brighton with a chance to become the outright record holder. If he provides one more assist, he will become the first player in Premier League history to record 21 assists in a single campaign.

His feat has also sparked fresh debate among football fans over who deserves to be regarded as the greatest playmaker in Premier League history.

1. Bruno Fernandes, 20 Assists, 2025/26

Fernandes has been at the heart of Manchester United’s attacking resurgence this season, dictating play from midfield and consistently creating chances for his teammates.

The 31-year-old has combined vision, passing range, set-piece quality and intelligent movement to become United’s main creative force. His ability to operate between the lines, release forwards early and deliver accurate final balls has made him one of the most influential players in the league this season.

He equalled the long-standing record after providing an assist in United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

The milestone placed him alongside Henry and De Bruyne, two players widely regarded among the finest creators the Premier League has seen.

Fernandes still has the final day fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion to move clear of both legends. One more assist would give him the outright record and further strengthen his place in Premier League history.

The Manchester United captain currently has 71 Premier League assists overall, placing him joint 17th on the all-time list alongside former Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min.

If Fernandes maintains this level of creativity and records another strong assist tally next season, he could move closer to the top 10 in the all-time Premier League assist chart.

2. Kevin De Bruyne, 20 Assists, 2019/20; 18 Assists, 2016/17

Kevin De Bruyne matched Henry’s 20-assist record during Manchester City’s 2019/20 season under Pep Guardiola.

Although City did not win the Premier League title that campaign, De Bruyne’s individual performance stood out as one of the greatest creative seasons in the history of the competition.

The Belgian midfielder controlled games with his passing accuracy, long-range distribution, crossing, through balls and ability to create chances from almost any position on the pitch.

De Bruyne’s style made him the engine of Manchester City’s attack. He could split defensive lines with one pass, deliver dangerous balls into the box from wide areas and arrive in advanced positions to either score or set up teammates.

His 2019/20 campaign confirmed his reputation as one of the most complete midfielders of the Premier League era.

De Bruyne had also recorded 18 assists in the 2016/17 season, Guardiola’s first year at Manchester City. That campaign was important in shaping City’s attacking identity under the Spanish manager.

Across several seasons, De Bruyne’s influence helped define Manchester City’s dominance. His numbers, consistency and role in a trophy-winning team have made him a regular name in discussions about the Premier League’s greatest playmakers.

3. Thierry Henry, 20 Assists, 2002/03

Thierry Henry became the first player to record 20 assists in a single Premier League season during Arsenal’s 2002/03 campaign.

What makes Henry’s record even more remarkable is that he also scored 24 league goals in the same season. It remains one of the greatest all-round individual campaigns in Premier League history.

Henry was not just Arsenal’s leading scorer. He was also their chief creator, using his speed, intelligence and technical quality to provide chances for teammates.

The Frenchman could beat defenders, draw markers out of position and create space for others. He was a forward who combined goalscoring with playmaking at an extraordinary level.

Although Arsenal lost the league title to Manchester United that season, Henry’s personal numbers showed why he is still considered one of the greatest players to have played in England.

His 20-assist record stood alone for 17 years before De Bruyne equalled it in 2019/20. Fernandes has now become the third player to reach that mark.

Henry’s achievement remains unique because he produced the record from a forward position while also delivering a high goal tally.

4. Mesut Özil, 19 Assists, 2015/16

Mesut Özil came close to breaking Henry’s record during Arsenal’s 2015/16 season, finishing with 19 assists.

The German midfielder was in outstanding form during the first half of the campaign and looked certain to surpass the 20-assist mark.

At one stage, Özil had recorded 16 assists in just 18 league matches, a run that placed him firmly on course to make Premier League history.

His creativity came from his calmness on the ball, intelligent positioning and ability to find teammates in dangerous areas. Özil was known for making difficult passes look simple, often creating chances with perfectly weighted through balls and clever deliveries from set pieces.

However, Arsenal’s form dipped in the second half of the season, and the goals from his teammates also slowed down. As a result, Özil finished one assist short of Henry’s record.

Despite missing out on the top spot, his 2015/16 campaign is still remembered as one of the finest creative seasons by a Premier League midfielder.

5. Mohamed Salah, 18 Assists, 2024/25

Mohamed Salah added another major achievement to his Premier League career by recording 18 assists during Liverpool’s 2024/25 season.

The Egyptian forward also scored 27 league goals that campaign, underlining his importance as both a goalscorer and creator.

Salah was central to Liverpool’s attack as the club won a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.

Known mainly for his goals, Salah showed another side of his game with his high assist tally. He consistently created chances from the right flank, linking well with teammates and making decisive contributions in big matches.

His ability to cut inside, draw defenders towards him and release teammates into space made him one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league.

Salah’s 18 assists placed him among the best single-season creators in Premier League history and strengthened his status as one of Liverpool’s greatest modern players.

6. Cesc Fabregas, 18 Assists, 2014/15; 17 Assists, 2007/08

Cesc Fabregas produced one of the best creative midfield performances in Premier League history during Chelsea’s title-winning 2014/15 season.

The Spaniard registered 18 assists as Jose Mourinho’s side won the league title. His passing, intelligence and control in midfield were key to Chelsea’s success.

Fabregas formed an excellent understanding with Chelsea’s attacking players, especially in the early part of the campaign. His ability to dictate tempo, pick forward passes and create scoring chances gave Chelsea a major advantage.

He was not the fastest midfielder, but his reading of the game allowed him to stay one step ahead of opponents. He often received the ball in deep areas and immediately found teammates in advanced positions.

Fabregas had also shown his creative quality earlier in his career at Arsenal, where he recorded 17 assists during the 2007/08 season.

That campaign confirmed him as one of the best young midfielders in Europe at the time. His numbers for both Arsenal and Chelsea show why he remains one of the Premier League’s most gifted passers.

7. Frank Lampard, 18 Assists, 2004/05

Frank Lampard recorded 18 assists during Chelsea’s 2004/05 Premier League title-winning season under Jose Mourinho.

That campaign helped establish Lampard as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. He was not only a regular goalscorer from midfield but also a reliable creator for his teammates.

Lampard also scored 17 league goals that season, making his overall contribution exceptional. His ability to arrive late in the box, strike from distance and still create chances for others made him one of the most complete midfielders in Premier League history.

Chelsea won the league with a strong defensive structure, but Lampard’s attacking influence gave the team balance and a cutting edge.

His performances in the 2004/05 season earned him wider recognition, and he finished second behind Ronaldinho in the Ballon d’Or voting.

Lampard’s 18 assists remain one of the highest single-season totals by a midfielder in the Premier League and a reminder of his creativity beyond his famous goalscoring record.

Naija News reports that Fernandes’ record-equalling campaign has reopened discussion about the Premier League’s greatest creators.

Henry’s achievement stands out because he combined 20 assists with 24 goals.

De Bruyne’s case is built on midfield control, consistency and dominance under Guardiola. Fernandes’ achievement is significant because he reached the same mark as captain of a Manchester United side still rebuilding its identity.

With one match left, Fernandes has the opportunity to move beyond comparison and hold the record outright.

For now, he stands beside Henry and De Bruyne at the top of the Premier League’s single-season assist chart, with 20 assists in one campaign.