Legends of English football from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City dominate the list of players with the most assists in a single Premier League season, highlighting the league’s greatest creative forces.
While goalscorers often steal the spotlight, the Premier League’s assist charts reveal some of the most influential playmakers in modern football history.
At the top of the ranking is Bruno Fernandes, who has matched the record with 20 assists in the 2025/2026 season, placing him alongside some of the division’s greatest-ever creators.
According to Planet Football on Monday, these are top seven players in Premier League history in descending order
7. Cesc Fàbregas (17, 2007–08)
Fàbregas had really established himself as Arsenal’s talisman by 2007–08, patrolling midfield in Arsène Wenger’s youthful side.
His 17 assists weren’t enough to prevent the Gunners’ traditional spring wobble, but the Spaniard carried that form into Spain’s successful Euro 2008 campaign.
Cesc Fàbregas (18, 2014–15)
Eight years later, after a spell at Barcelona, Fàbregas returned to the Premier League with Chelsea, and his creative output had not diminished.
The highlight of his 18-assist season came on the opening day at Burnley, with a superb one-touch assist for André Schürrle—arguably one of the finest assists in Premier League history.
Fàbregas left Chelsea in 2019 with two Premier League winners’ medals.
6. Frank Lampard (18, 2004–05)
Chelsea cruised to the title under José Mourinho in 2004–05, with their dominance shaping the Premier League landscape for years.
Lampard was central to their success, scoring 13 goals and providing 18 assists.
That season cemented his reputation as one of his generation’s finest midfielders, finishing second behind Ronaldinho in the Ballon d’Or voting.
5. Mohamed Salah (18, 2024–25)
It already feels somewhat forgotten just how dominant Salah was in 2024–25, given Liverpool’s struggles since.
Critics may argue he was playing for a new contract at Anfield, but that should not diminish his achievements.
His 18 assists were paired with 27 goals, as Salah effectively carried Liverpool’s attack throughout the season.
4. Mesut Özil (19, 2015–16)
Sixteen of Özil’s Premier League assists in 2015–16 came in his first 18 games, offering a glimpse of the creativity Arsenal fans had long expected.
However, his output dropped sharply thereafter. The final 17 matches produced only three assists, with Olivier Giroud often highlighted as the main beneficiary of his chance creation.
3. Bruno Fernandes (20*, 2025–26)
Fernandes did not provide an assist in any of his first seven league appearances in 2025–26 before hitting top form to help Manchester United push back into Champions League contention.
It is now hard to believe how open the club were to selling him to Saudi Arabia last summer, given how crucial he has been this season.
He reached 20 assists after setting up Manchester United’s third goal against Nottingham Forest, after earlier frustrations against Sunderland and Liverpool.
Whether he will claim the record outright remains to be seen, with Brighton on the final day posing a tough test. Watch this space.
2. Thierry Henry (20, 2002–03)
Arsenal were pipped to the title by Manchester United in 2002–03, but Henry produced one of the greatest individual seasons in Premier League history.
He scored 24 goals and provided 20 assists, including three on the final day against Sunderland to reach his milestone.
1. Kevin De Bruyne (20, 2019–20)
De Bruyne reached his 20-assist tally in just 35 appearances, two fewer than Henry managed in 2002–03.
He recorded at least seven more assists than any other player that season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold next best on 13.
Manchester City finished 18 points behind Liverpool, and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the campaign’s atmosphere.
Even so, De Bruyne remains second on the Premier League’s all-time assist list behind Ryan Giggs—a testament to his brilliance.
Kevin De Bruyne (18, 2016–17)
Pep Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City was a tough introduction to English football, with teams like Everton and Leicester often frustrating his side.
However, De Bruyne’s return of 18 assists was a sign of things to come. The Belgian was already establishing himself as one of the finest passers in Premier League history, consistently spotting passes few others could imagine.
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