The 15 best assisting seasons in Premier League history
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1970-01-01 08:00
For some players making an assist is as good as scoring a goal and with the stats that some of these Premier League players have, you can see why. Here are the 15 best assisting seasons in Premier League history.

1. Thierry Henry — Premier League, 2002-03 — 20 assists

Remarkably during the 2002-03 season, Thierry Henry provided 20 assists whilst also scoring 24 goals himself for Arsenal. However, Ruud Van Nistelrooy of Manchester United would win the Golden Boot that campaign as he scored one more than the Frenchman.

United would also win the Premier League title but Henry's Gunners would win it the following year with their "Invincibles."

Henry would become an Arsenal legend who in 377 games for the club would score 228 goals but also provide 103 assists.

He would leave the club for Barcelona in 2007 and go on to play in MLS with the New York Red Bulls. Henry is now the manager of France's U21s and will be taking them to the Olympics next year.

2. Kevin De Bruyne — Premier League, 2019-20 — 20 assists

Kevin De Bruyne equaled Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists while playing for Manchester City during the 2019/20 season. This was a campaign that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic but even that could not stop the Belgian assisting.

It was not to be City's year as Liverpool won their first Premier League title that year. However, Pep Guardiola's side have dominated the competition in recent years winning five of the last six titles.

De Bruyne is still starring for City and with Erling Haaland playing ahead of him now, he could contribute even more assists.

3. Mesut Ozil — Premier League, 2015-16 — 19 assists

Mesut Ozil's time at Arsenal was mixed but he was immense during the 2015-16 Premier League season where he provided 19 assists. The Gunners would finish second that year and unbelievably Leicester City would claim the title.

Ozil arrived at Arsenal with a big pedigree having joined from Real Madrid. However, despite playing 254 games for the Gunners and scoring 44 goals with 79 assists, his time at the club would end unceremoniously.

Mikel Arteta would freeze the German out of his squad and he would leave the club to join Fenerbahce in 2021. Ozil would also go on to represent Istanbul Basaksehir and retired earlier this year.

4. Frank Lampard — Premier League, 2004-05 — 18 assists

Frank Lampard was known for being a box-to-box goalscoring midfielder but still managed to rock up with 112 Premier League assists whilst at Chelsea, West Ham United and Manchester City.

During the 2004-05 season, Lampard contributed 18 assists for his teammates. His club Chelsea would win the league that campaign which was their first Premier League title.

Jose Mourinho was Chelsea's manager at the time and they would win the league again the following year. Lampard is now a manager himself and has coached Chelsea as well as Everton in the Premier League. He is currently out of work but will no doubt return to coaching at some point in the near future.

5. Cesc Fabregas — Premier League, 2014-15 — 18 assists

Cesc Fabregas is more associated with being an Arsenal player but after returning to English soccer following a successful spell at Barcelona he joined Chelsea. During his first season with the Blues he notched 18 assists, helping his side to win the 2014-15 title.

Fabregas would make a combined total of 118 assists for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League.

After leaving Chelsea, he joined AS Monaco before playing in Italy with Como. He is now the manager of Como U19 and B team.

6. Kevin De Buyne — Premier League, 2016-17 — 18 assists

Kevin De Bruyne appears on this list for the second time with the 18 assists he made during the 2016-17 Premier League season. Manchester City would finish third that campaign, with Chelsea winning the division.

The Blues were one of De Bruyne's former clubs but he failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. He left them to join the German side VfL Wolfsburg before signing for City where he continues to have tremendous success.

7. Cesc Fabregas — Premier League, 2007-08 — 17 assists

Whilst playing for Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas created 17 assists during the 2007-08 Premier League season. Arsene Wengar's side would finish fourth that campaign which would become a formality for the club.

Following this campaign, Fabregas would win the European Championships with Spain. His country dominated the international scene at the time and also won the World Cup in 2010 and the Euros again in 2012.

8. Kevin De Bruyne — Premier League, 2022-23 — 16 assists

Kevin De Buryne makes this list for a third time for his 16 assists last season. What helped the Belgian during this campaign was that he had Erling Haaland playing ahead of him who broke the record for the most goals in a single Premier League season.

City would win the treble that year by also winning the FA Cup and the Champions League. The campaign was also disrupted due to the World Cup in Qatar where De Bruyne's Belgian would disappointingly go out in the group stage.

9. Eric Cantona — Premier League, 1992-93 — 16 assists

Eric Cantona was a controversial figure during his time in the Premier League. He joined Manchester United from bitter rivals Leeds United and would become a legend at Old Trafford. However, he is often remembered for kicking a Crystal Palace fan.

The Frenchman displayed brilliance for the Red Devils and is known for his goalscoring exploits but was also a team player. During the 1992-93 season, Cantona created 16 assists as United won the league.

During his time with United, he would win the division four times and play 185 times in total for the club, scoring 82 goals and making 62 assists.

10. Kevin De Bruyne — Premier League, 2017-18 — 16 assists

Kevin De Bruyne again with 16 assists during the 2017-18 season, which Manchester City would also win.

Following this campaign. was the World Cup in Russia. De Buryne's Belgium would make it to the semi-finals where they would lose to eventual champions France. However, Belgium would beat England in the third-place playoff.

11. Matt Le Tissier — Premier League, 1994-95 — 15 assists

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier scored a lot of great goals but he also provided 47 assists for the club in the Premier League. 15 of these came during the 1994-95 season, where the Saints finished 10th.

Le Tissier's statistics are very impressive considering he stayed loyal to Southampton and was not tempted to play for a team that challenges for titles. His whole career was spent at the club apart from a spell at Eastleigh. He also played once for his hometown club of Guernsey after retiring.

He was a pundit on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday but is now known for his outspoken views on many controversial topics.

12. Steve McManaman — Premier League, 1995-96 — 15 assists

Liverpool legend Steve McManaman made 15 assists during the 1995-96 season as his side finished third in the league. McManaman would play 364 times for the Reds and provide 88 assists in total.

His form would earn him a move to Real Madrid where he would win LaLiga and the Champions League both twice. McManaman would return to English soccer and finish his career with Manchester City.

13. David Beckham — Premier League, 1990-00 — 15 assists

David Beckham has again returned to prominence with his recent Netflix documentary. With all the celebrity that comes with Beckham, it is often forgotten how good a player he was.

During the 1990-00 season, Beckham made 15 assists as Manchester United defended their Premier League title.

Beckham would go on to play for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He is now the co-owner of Inter Miami and has recruited Lionel Messi to his roster.

14. Nolberto Solano — Premier League, 1990-00 — 15 assists

During the 1990-00 season, Nolberto Solano also got 15 assists alongside David Beckham. Solano was playing for Newcastle United at the time who finished 11th in the Premier League.

The Peruvian would also represent Aston Villa and West Ham United in English soccer's top flight. He is now a manager and was most recently in charge of the Swedish side AFC Eskilstuna.

15. Robert Pires — Premier League, 2001-02 — 15 assists

Robert Pires occupies the final palce on this list but mentions must also go out to David Silva, Christian Eriksen, Leroy Sane and Eden Hazard who have also made 15 assists in a single Premier League season.

Pires' Arsenal during the 2001-02 campaign won the league which ended three years of Manchester United dominating the competition.

The Frenchman would go on to play for Villareal but return to English soccer with Aston Villa before ending his career in India with FC Goa.

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