Twenty-three years. That is how long Thierry Henry's 20 assists sat there looking untouchable. Kevin De Bruyne dragged himself level with it in 2020, and for a while it seemed like the pair of them would share the record forever. Then, on the final afternoon of the 2025/26 season, Bruno Fernandes went past them both.
He finished on 21. One assist. A single moment of shared work, separating him from two of the best players the Premier League has ever seen.
That is the headline number, but assists are a strange stat to hold a record in. Nobody can record one alone. You need the run, the finish, and a teammate who reads the pass. A perfect ball into the box is just a wasted pass if nobody gets on the end of it, which is why assist totals wobble between providers and why this record took two decades to fall.
So here it is: the 21, the two seasons that reached 20, Mesut Özil's disputed 19, and the pack sitting on 18. Then there is the career list, which is a different argument entirely. Ryan Giggs leads that one with 162, and he never had a single season good enough to top the shortlist below.
| Rank | Player | Club | Season | Assists | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | 2025/26 | 21 | 35 |
| 2 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 2002/03 | 20 | 37 |
| 2 | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 2019/20 | 20 | 35 |
| 4 | Mesut Özil | Arsenal | 2015/16 | 19 | 35 |
| 5 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 2024/25 | 18 | 38 |
How to read the table
This table ranks individual Premier League seasons, not career totals. That distinction matters. Ryan Giggs leads the career list with 162 assists, but he never recorded more than the single-season totals shown above.
The appearances column also adds useful context. De Bruyne reached 20 assists in 35 appearances, while Henry needed 37. Fernandes’ 21 came in 35 appearances. However, appearances do not tell us how many minutes each player played, so they should not be treated as a perfect measure of creativity.
Why assists are the most fragile record in football
Goals are usually easier to identify. The ball crosses the line, and the scorer receives credit. Assists need a judgement about the final action before the goal. Was it a deliberate pass? Did the ball take a heavy deflection? Did the player win a penalty rather than create an open-play chance?
Those details explain why two statistical providers can sometimes disagree. The record remains clear, but older totals and unusual goals need more care.
Who Has the Most Assists in a Single Premier League Season?
Bruno Fernandes, 21 assists in 2025/26
Bruno Fernandes has the most assists in a single Premier League season. He recorded 21 assists for Manchester United in 2025/26, beating the previous record of 20 held jointly by Henry and De Bruyne.
Fernandes finished the campaign with 35 league appearances, nine goals and 30 direct goal involvements. His creative output also helped earn him the 2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season award and the Golden Playmaker award.
His season sits neatly alongside the wider story of Manchester United’s influential midfielders, including Eric Cantona and other leading figures discussed in our Manchester United players of all time guide.
The day the record fell
Fernandes set the new record on 24 May 2026, the final day of the season. He assisted Patrick Dorgu’s goal against Brighton & Hove Albion.
It was a fitting moment. The record did not fall through a statistical technicality or a late correction. It came from a direct contribution in a competitive league match, with the pressure of history sitting in the background.
The context behind the 21
Set pieces, chances created and one late start
Fernandes created 136 chances in 2025/26, the highest total by any player in Europe’s big five leagues that season. That matched De Bruyne’s 136 chances created in 2019/20.
Eleven of Fernandes’ 21 assists came from set-piece situations. That equalled Steven Gerrard’s Premier League record of 11 set-piece assists from 2013/14. His delivery from corners, free-kicks and other dead-ball situations formed a major part of the total.
The timing of his assists makes the season even more striking. Fernandes did not record his first assist until 19 October 2025 at Liverpool. From that point, he assisted at roughly one per game.
Why the timing mattered
A player who starts quickly can build a record through steady accumulation. Fernandes had to make up ground. His late start meant that the 21 required a remarkable run rather than a comfortable campaign of regular contributions.
That does not make the record perfect or impossible to beat. It does show how quickly an elite creator can change the shape of a season.
Has Anyone Reached 20 Assists in a Season?
Yes. Three players have now reached at least 20 assists in a Premier League season: Bruno Fernandes, Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Before Fernandes moved beyond the mark, Henry and De Bruyne were the only players to reach 20. Both did so in 38-game seasons, which makes the comparison reasonably fair.
Thierry Henry’s 20 in 2002/03
Henry recorded 20 assists for Arsenal in 2002/03 in 37 appearances. His season combined creativity with elite finishing and remains one of the defining campaigns in the history of the greatest Arsenal players.
Henry’s role was not simply to wait in the penalty area. He carried the ball, moved into wide areas, delivered crosses and created chances for teammates. His total reflected a player who could act as scorer, creator and attacking organiser in the same move.
Kevin De Bruyne’s 20 in 2019/20
De Bruyne matched Henry’s record with 20 assists for Manchester City in 2019/20. He achieved the total in 35 appearances, two fewer than Henry.
He also scored 13 goals, giving him 33 direct goal involvements. His vision and passing range made him one of the clearest examples of a midfielder controlling a match through chance creation rather than goals alone. His wider creative record is explored in our guide to the greatest Premier League midfielders.
The same number, two different players
Henry and De Bruyne reached 20 in different football environments. Henry often created from wide or inside-left areas, while De Bruyne regularly delivered from deeper midfield and the right half-space.
The number is the same. The route to it was not.
Which Player Has the Most Assists in a Single Season?
The definitive answer
The definitive answer is Bruno Fernandes, with 21 assists for Manchester United in 2025/26.
The comparison settles the question. Fernandes has one more assist than Henry and De Bruyne, who share second place on 20. Özil follows on 19, while Salah, Lampard, Fàbregas and De Bruyne again appear in the group on 18.
How the record has moved across the eras
Eric Cantona recorded 16 assists in 1992/93. Henry raised the benchmark to 20 in 2002/03. De Bruyne equalled it in 2019/20, and Fernandes finally moved the mark higher in 2025/26.
This is not a smooth line of progress. Creative players have always produced outstanding seasons, but changes in tactics, chance creation, data collection and attacking roles have affected how these totals are produced.
Table 2: The Top 10 Single-Season Assist Campaigns in Premier League History
| Rank | Player | Club | Season | Assists | Appearances | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | 2025/26 | 21 | 35 | Current Premier League record |
| 2 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 2002/03 | 20 | 37 | Previous outright record |
| 2 | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 2019/20 | 20 | 35 | Equalled Henry's record |
| 4 | Mesut Özil | Arsenal | 2015/16 | 19 | 35 | Best total outside the top record |
| 5 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 2024/25 | 18 | 38 | Also scored 29 goals |
| 5 | Frank Lampard | Chelsea | 2004/05 | 18 | 38 | Came in Chelsea's title-winning season |
| 5 | Cesc Fàbregas | Chelsea | 2014/15 | 18 | 34 | One of the strongest rates by appearances |
| 5 | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 2016/17 | 18 | 36 | His second appearance in the list |
| 9 | Cesc Fàbregas | Arsenal | 2007/08 | 17 | 32 | Another exceptional creative season |
| 10 | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 2017/18 | 16 | 37 | One of several campaigns tied on 16 |
What the second table shows
The list is not dominated only by forwards or only by traditional number 10s. Henry and Salah combined goals with assists. De Bruyne and Fàbregas produced from midfield. Lampard added elite creativity to his own scoring threat.
It also shows how one player can appear repeatedly. De Bruyne features four times among the leading campaigns: 20 in 2019/20, 18 in 2016/17, 16 in 2017/18 and 16 in 2022/23.
Where the ties come from
The rankings use the assist total first. When several players have the same number, they share the rank. The 18-assist group includes Salah, Lampard, Fàbregas and De Bruyne.
At the lower edge, several players and seasons sit on 16. The table shows one of De Bruyne’s 16-assist campaigns rather than pretending that the cut-off is perfectly unique.
Who Are the Top 10 Assists in Premier League History?
First, the two different questions
“Who are the top 10 assists in Premier League history?” can mean two things:
- The players with the most assists across their Premier League careers.
- The ten best individual assist seasons.
The second question is answered by Table 2. The career list is different because it rewards longevity, availability and repeated contribution over many years.
The all-time career assists top 10
As of September 2026, the career top 10 is:
- Ryan Giggs: 162
- Kevin De Bruyne: 119
- Cesc Fàbregas: 111
- Wayne Rooney: 103
- Frank Lampard: 102
- Dennis Bergkamp: 94
- Mohamed Salah: 94
- David Silva: 93
- Steven Gerrard: 92
- James Milner: 90
Five players have passed 100 Premier League assists: Giggs, De Bruyne, Fàbregas, Rooney and Lampard.
The single-season top 10
The single-season version begins with Fernandes, Henry, De Bruyne and Özil. It then includes the four players on 18, Fàbregas on 17 and several players on 16.
Why the two lists rarely share names
A player can produce one astonishing season without remaining at the same level for a decade. Conversely, a reliable creator can rank highly in the career standings without ever recording 20 assists in one campaign.
Think of it as a sprint and a marathon. The single-season list rewards the explosive peak. The career list rewards staying near the front for years.
Career consistency versus one outstanding year
Giggs leads because he combined longevity with a steady supply of final passes. Fernandes leads the single-season list because his 2025/26 peak was more productive than any previous campaign.
Both are impressive, but they measure different types of greatness.
Mesut Özil’s 19 Assists and the Data Dispute
The season that nearly broke the record
Mesut Özil recorded 19 assists for Arsenal in 2015/16, making 35 appearances. He had 16 assists in his first 18 league games, an extraordinary start that placed Henry’s record under genuine pressure.
His season remains the best single-season total by a player who is not the outright or joint record holder. For more context on Arsenal’s creative history, see our article on the best Arsenal players of all time.
Why some sites say 18
The Premier League’s own coverage and Opta Analyst list Özil on 19 assists. Some databases, including StatMuse in one historical query, show 18.
The difference comes from how certain events are classified and how historical data is transferred between providers. This article uses 19 because it follows the Premier League and Opta-backed record.
Mohamed Salah, Frank Lampard and Cesc Fàbregas
Salah’s 18 in 2024/25
Mohamed Salah recorded 18 assists for Liverpool in 2024/25. He also scored 29 goals, giving him 47 direct goal involvements.
That equalled the single-season Premier League record for goals and assists combined, previously set by Andrew Cole in 1993/94 and Alan Shearer in 1994/95. Our article on most goals scored in a Premier League season provides further scoring context.
Salah also won the Playmaker award, underlining that his contribution went well beyond finishing chances. His place among Liverpool’s greats is discussed in our Liverpool players of all time guide.
Lampard and Fàbregas
Lampard recorded 18 assists for Chelsea in 2004/05, alongside 13 goals. It came during Chelsea’s title-winning season under José Mourinho, a campaign covered in our Premier League winners list.
Fàbregas also reached 18 assists for Chelsea in 2014/15, but he did so in only 34 appearances. He added 17 assists for Arsenal in 2007/08 in 32 appearances, giving him two separate entries among the leading campaigns.
The Defender Benchmark
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 13 assists
Trent Alexander-Arnold holds the single-season record for a defender with 13 assists in 2019/20. He also recorded 12 in both 2018/19 and 2021/22.
His career total of 64 Premier League assists is the highest by a defender. That is an extraordinary figure for a player whose starting position is listed in the back four. Our wider ranking of the greatest Premier League defenders explains why his creative role has changed expectations for the position.
Why full-backs now post midfielder numbers
Modern full-backs often receive the ball in advanced areas and deliver crosses from positions that once belonged mainly to wingers. They can also take corners and switch play from deep.
Alexander-Arnold’s numbers show that position labels can hide a player’s real job. On the pitch, he often functions as a playmaker who starts from the defensive line.
Assists Per Game: Who Was Actually the Most Creative?
The calculation, shown in full
Using appearances rather than minutes:
- Fernandes: 21 ÷ 35 = 0.600 assists per appearance
- De Bruyne: 20 ÷ 35 = 0.571 assists per appearance
- Henry: 20 ÷ 37 = 0.541 assists per appearance
By this simple measure, Fernandes had the strongest rate of the three record-level seasons.
Why the ratio flatters part-seasons
Appearances are not minutes. A player who enters for 20 minutes counts as an appearance, while a player who plays every minute also counts as one appearance.
The ratio also rewards players who miss fewer matches for tactical or fitness reasons. It is useful context, not a final verdict on who was the better creator.
Why Two Websites Show Different Assist Totals
Official assists versus fantasy assists
Official Premier League and Opta assists usually credit the final touch that leads directly to a goal. Fantasy Premier League scoring can use a wider interpretation.
For example, a player who wins a penalty may receive an FPL assist, even though winning the penalty is not normally recorded as an official assist.
Deflections, penalties won and own goals
A heavily deflected pass may not count as an official assist. A corner or free-kick that goes directly into the net normally does not create an assist. Winning a penalty is usually excluded from official assist records, and an own goal is treated differently again.
How to check before you trust a number
First, identify the provider. Then check whether the figure refers to official assists, fantasy assists or another event model.
For historical records, compare the Premier League’s own coverage with Opta-backed analysis rather than relying on a single unsourced database.
The 42-Game Era and Why It Still Gets Mentioned
What changed in 1995/96
The Premier League used 42-game seasons from 1992/93 to 1994/95. It then moved to 20 clubs and 38 matches from 1995/96 onwards.
That means early totals had more possible fixtures. Eric Cantona’s 16 assists in 1992/93 should also be treated with caution because detailed event data was not collected consistently at that time.
Why the modern records compare fairly
Henry’s 2002/03 total and De Bruyne’s 2019/20 total both came in 38-game seasons. Fernandes’ 2025/26 record also came in the modern format.
The comparison is not perfect because team styles and minutes differ, but the number of available league matches is broadly comparable.
What This Means for FPL Managers
How assist-heavy midfielders are priced
In Fantasy Premier League, an assist is normally worth three points for a midfielder, before bonus points and other scoring are considered. A goal is worth five points for a midfielder.
That creates an important balance. An assist-heavy midfielder can deliver regularly, but a goalscoring forward may still outscore him if he converts chances at a high rate.
The points maths, with an example
Suppose a midfielder records four assists across four Gameweeks:
- 4 assists × 3 points = 12 points
- Add appearance points: 4 × 2 = 8 points
- Basic total before bonus points, goals or cards = 20 points
That is useful output, but it does not guarantee a better return than a forward who scores twice in the same period. Check expected assists, minutes, fixtures and set-piece involvement rather than chasing a famous historical total. Our FPL stats explained guide covers the difference between assists, chances created and expected assists.
When chasing last season’s assist total goes wrong
Last season’s record is evidence of what happened, not a promise about what comes next. A player may lose corners, change position, face tougher fixtures or see teammates finish fewer chances.
Use the record as context. Do not treat it as a forecast.
Could Anyone Reach 25 Assists?
What the record would need
A player would need to improve the current record by four assists. That means maintaining roughly one assist every two league appearances across a full season, while also avoiding long absences and retaining set-piece responsibility.
It is possible, but the number would require an exceptional combination of availability, chance creation and finishing from teammates.
The names most likely to threaten it
The most likely candidates would be elite creators who take corners or free-kicks, play regularly and operate close to the final pass. De Bruyne’s repeated appearances in the single-season list show how a specialist creator can return to the conversation more than once.
Still, there is no certainty that the next record challenger has already emerged.
How the 2026/27 Season Fits In
What to watch this campaign
Watch who controls set pieces, who creates chances consistently and which players remain on the pitch for 90 minutes. A high assist total needs all three.
You should also watch the difference between chances created and assists. A player can create excellent opportunities without receiving credit if teammates fail to finish them.
The record’s shelf life
Fernandes’ 21 may last for years, just as Henry’s 20 did. It may also fall sooner than expected if attacking teams continue to use aggressive full-backs, inverted midfielders and specialist set-piece takers.
Records look permanent until the right season arrives.
Final Thoughts
Bruno Fernandes has the most assists in a Premier League season, with 21 for Manchester United in 2025/26. Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne remain the only other players to reach 20, while Özil’s 19 and the four-player group on 18 show how rare sustained creative production is.
The career record belongs to Ryan Giggs with 162 assists, so remember which question you are asking. A single-season list measures the highest peak. A career list measures longevity. Both tell us something useful, but they are not the same race.
Sources and Methodology
The research prioritised official Premier League records and Opta-backed analysis because assist totals depend on event definitions. The key record information was checked against Premier League coverage of Fernandes’ record, Premier League coverage of the Golden Playmaker award and Opta Analyst’s historical data.
The single-season tables were built by ranking the verified assist totals supplied for Fernandes, Henry, De Bruyne, Özil, Salah, Lampard and Fàbregas. Appearances were included where verified.
The career top 10 uses the September 2026 totals provided for Giggs, De Bruyne, Fàbregas, Rooney, Lampard, Bergkamp, Salah, Silva, Gerrard and Milner. Older seasons carry more uncertainty because detailed event data was not always collected consistently. Assist definitions also vary between official records, Opta-style databases and fantasy football providers.
This is an editorial record piece, so ranking ties and table cut-offs require judgement. The article uses the Premier League and Opta-backed Özil total of 19 while acknowledging that some databases show 18.
Last checked: 29 September 2026. This list is updated after each completed Premier League season. For corrections, contact Metro Football.
FAQs
Who has the most assists in a Premier League season?
Bruno Fernandes holds the record with 21 assists for Manchester United in 2025/26. He set the record on the final day against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Has anyone reached 20 assists in a Premier League season?
Yes. Thierry Henry recorded 20 for Arsenal in 2002/03, and Kevin De Bruyne recorded 20 for Manchester City in 2019/20. Fernandes later moved the record to 21.
Who has the most career assists in Premier League history?
Ryan Giggs leads the career list with 162 Premier League assists. Kevin De Bruyne is second with 119 as of September 2026.
How many assists did Mesut Özil get in 2015/16?
Mesut Özil is credited with 19 assists by the Premier League and Opta Analyst. Some databases list 18 because providers classify certain events differently.
Does winning a penalty count as an official assist?
Usually not. A player who wins a penalty may receive an FPL assist, but official Premier League assist records generally do not credit the player unless the event meets the provider’s assist definition.
Who has the most assists in a single season among defenders?
Trent Alexander-Arnold holds the defender record with 13 assists for Liverpool in 2019/20.
How many Premier League assists did Kevin De Bruyne record in his best season?
De Bruyne recorded 20 assists in 2019/20. He also had 18 in 2016/17 and 16 in both 2017/18 and 2022/23.
Who are the top 10 single-season assist leaders?
The leading campaigns include Bruno Fernandes on 21, Henry and De Bruyne on 20, Özil on 19, and Salah, Lampard, Fàbregas and De Bruyne on 18. The full ranking appears in Table 2.
Who are the top 10 career assist leaders?
The career top 10 are Ryan Giggs, Kevin De Bruyne, Cesc Fàbregas, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Dennis Bergkamp, Mohamed Salah, David Silva, Steven Gerrard and James Milner.
Could the Premier League assist record be broken again?
Yes, but a player would need at least 22 assists to take the record from Fernandes. Reaching 25 would require an exceptional season combining regular starts, set-piece duties, chance creation and reliable finishing from teammates.