Top players with the most assists in Premier League history
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne spent most of the 2023/24 season injured, unable to help his team defend their historic treble. Although Pep Guardiola’s side missed out on the Champions League and FA Cup, they still won their fourth consecutive Premier League title. In 18 games, De Bruyne has provided an impressive 10 assists, nearly reaching the top of the Premier League’s all-time assist charts. Will he be able to break this record? The following Premiumsoccertips article will take a closer look at the 10 players with the most assists in premier league history.
Top 10 Premier League assists
There are some incredible creative talents on this list, but who has the most assists in Premier League history?
10. David Beckham – 80 assists
The phrase “Bend it like Beckham” has become an iconic part of football, conjuring up images of David Beckham with his superb free-kick skills, as he approaches a dead ball and curls his shot around the defensive wall, or finds a way to beat the goalkeeper to score. The image is not only a mark of Beckham, but also a testament to his undeniable creativity and talent. Beckham is not only a great set-piece player, but also someone who can change the course of a game in the blink of an eye.
With a total of 80 assists in the Premier League, Beckham has proven himself to be one of the greatest creative players in the league. This was built on a decade of great success under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, where Beckham played a key role in building play and creating chances for his teammates.
Not only was Beckham a master of accurate passing, he also knew how to use free-kicks to change the outcome of a match, from scoring directly to creating decisive passes that set up teammates for easy goals. His creativity in attack contributed to an unforgettable legacy in English football history.
9. James Milner – 89 assists
James Milner is one of the Premier League’s most respected veterans, with an impressive career spanning a number of clubs and a consistent form. With 634 appearances in the English top flight, Milner has proven his resilience and tenacity, and is now just 20 games away from becoming the player with the most Premier League appearances. His career has spanned the likes of Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and most recently Brighton & Hove Albion, with each team having made a significant impact.
One of Milner’s greatest strengths is his versatility. He can play in a variety of positions, from central midfield to full-back, making him an invaluable asset to any team. Not only a tactical player, Milner is also an important contributor to attacks, with a total of 89 assists throughout his Premier League career. He has always been an intelligent leader, knowing how to control the game and create chances for his teammates. Milner’s professionalism and dedication are the reasons why he is always trusted and chosen by coaches, even though he is in his 30s.
8. Steven Gerrard – 92 assists
Steven Gerrard is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Premier League history, and he will forever be remembered with respect and affection by Liverpool fans. Gerrard’s Anfield career was filled with memorable moments, as he was not only Liverpool’s captain but also their playmaker, a symbol of resilience and relentlessness. Gerrard scored 120 Premier League goals, an impressive tally for a midfielder, but what made him special was his ability to create. He had a total of 92 assists, proving his importance in creating goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Gerrard enjoyed a fantastic career alongside legends such as Robbie Fowler, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres, providing the final pass, creating chances and setting up the strikers for goals. Although Liverpool failed to win many Premier League titles during his time, Gerrard remained a central and indispensable player in the team. He is not only a Liverpool legend but also one of the best players in the Premier League, known for his leadership, technical ability and creativity on the pitch.
7. David Silva – 93 assists
Spanish midfielder David Silva has enjoyed a stellar career at Manchester City, playing a key role in their transformation from a mid-table side to Premier League champions. Under Pep Guardiola, Silva has been a key link between the lines and a masterful dribbler. His superb dribbling, exquisite footwork and excellent tactical vision have helped make the team one of the strongest in England.
With his excellent passing ability, Silva has created a host of goalscoring opportunities for his teammates, becoming one of the Premier League’s top playmakers. His incisive passing and smooth passing have made him an icon at the Etihad. Alongside his club success, Silva has also won international honours, including a World Cup with Spain. His career is not only a testament to his talent but also an integral part of Manchester City’s success.
6. Dennis Bergkamp – 94 assists
Arsenal under Arsène Wenger are often remembered for their beautiful, attacking style of play, their high level of technique and their mastery of team play. One of the most iconic figures of this style is Dennis Bergkamp, the former Netherlands international who left a lasting mark on the club’s history. With his excellent ball control, intelligent movement and sharp finishing, Bergkamp was not only a creative player but also a killer in Arsenal’s attack.
Over the course of his Premier League career, Bergkamp scored a total of 120 goals for Arsenal, an impressive tally that demonstrates his excellent goalscoring ability. He also provided 94 assists, a remarkable achievement and testament to his importance in building the team’s play. His ability to create chances for his teammates, combined with his exquisite ball control and spectacular goals, made Bergkamp one of the greatest players in Premier League history and an indispensable Arsenal legend.
Bergkamp was at the heart of Arsenal’s golden years, and to this day, he is still remembered as one of the greatest players to have ever played in the Premier League.
5. Frank Lampard – 102 assists
Frank Lampard is one of the greatest legends in Chelsea and the Premier League history, with an illustrious career that is second to none. Not only is he Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals in all competitions, Lampard was also instrumental in the club’s success throughout his playing years. He won three Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the UEFA Europa League, creating a proud legacy at Stamford Bridge. These achievements have helped cement Lampard’s place as one of the greatest English players of all time.
Along with his excellent goalscoring ability, Lampard is also one of the greatest playmakers in Premier League history, ranking fifth in the list of players with the most assists in the competition. With his keen tactical vision and exquisite passing ability, Lampard always knows how to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. His versatility has not only helped Chelsea dominate English football but also helped the team conquer the heights of Europe. Lampard is a complete player, an excellent playmaker and an example for the next generation of players.
4. Wayne Rooney – 103 assists
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer and an English football legend, is not only known for his superb goalscoring ability but also for his ability to create chances. After finishing his playing career, Rooney turned to management and is currently pursuing a coaching career in the EFL, continuing to contribute to English football from a new perspective. Throughout his career, Rooney has not only made his mark with important goals but also with his exquisite assists, helping his teammates score. He has a total of 103 assists in the Premier League, an impressive number that demonstrates his versatile talent on the pitch.
With the perfect combination of goalscoring ability and the ability to create chances for his teammates, Rooney has become one of the most complete and greatest players in Premier League history. Although he is best known for his spectacular goals, his assists have also been instrumental in Manchester United’s success, helping the team win many important titles. Rooney’s career is not only a symbol of attacking prowess but also a testament to his talent for building play and linking up with teammates.
3. Cesc Fabregas – 111 assists
Cesc Fabregas, as a youngster at Arsenal, achieved a remarkable milestone in his Premier League career. In the 2006/07 season, he became the first player in the history of the competition to be crowned (co-) top assist provider, with a total of 11 assists, an impressive feat for a player so young. Fabregas not only excelled as a playmaker, but went on to score over 100 more goals for Arsenal before deciding to move to Barcelona in 2011.
Although Fabregas failed to win a Premier League title during his time at Arsenal, his contributions to the team were undeniable. He was always the one to lead the way, providing sharp assists and scoring important goals. Despite not winning a Premier League trophy at the Emirates, Fabregas left a lasting impression on Gunners fans with his fine performances and command of the game. His Arsenal career, with its moments of brilliance, is still remembered as one of the proudest in the club’s history.
2. Kevin De Bruyne – 112 assists
Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian star of Manchester City, is one of only two players on this list still playing in the Premier League at the time of writing, although there has been plenty of speculation about his future. Since joining the league, De Bruyne has wowed fans with his ability to consistently provide assists, racking up incredible numbers season after season. Despite only playing for nine seasons, he has already racked up 112 assists, making him the second-highest assist tally in Premier League history.
Remarkably, De Bruyne has done this in just nine seasons, while the top scorer, Ryan Giggs, took 24 seasons to achieve the feat. De Bruyne’s consistency and ability to create goals for his teammates has made him one of Manchester City’s most important players, contributing significantly to the team’s success. If he maintains this form, he will likely continue to rise, even threatening Giggs’ record in the near future.
1. Ryan Giggs – 162 assists
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is the Premier League’s all-time assist record holder, with 162 assists during his illustrious career. During his 23 years in the top flight, Giggs won 13 Premier League titles, and his accurate crossing and free-kicks helped make Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United one of the most formidable and unbeatable sides in the league.
To surpass this record is an extremely difficult task. Kevin De Bruyne, the current assist king of the Premier League, despite his impressive contributions, is still 50 assists behind Giggs. Given his current age and the fierce competition in the league, it is very unlikely that De Bruyne will be able to surpass Giggs. This demonstrates Giggs’ greatness, not only in his ability to create goalscoring opportunities but also in his lasting influence in the Premier League, a legacy that is unlikely to be beaten in the near future.
Conclusion
Kevin De Bruyne, despite suffering from injuries in the 2023/24 season, has still proven himself to be one of the best assist providers in Premier League history, with 112 assists, second on the list. Although Ryan Giggs’ record of “most assists in Premier League history” (162 assists) is still quite a ways off, De Bruyne is still capable of approaching this target if he maintains his excellent form. Certainly, if he continues to play at a high level, he could become the player with the most assists in the history of the tournament in the near future.