Premier League: The assist stars

• Goalscorers are adored. Forever remembered. They have become legends
• However, those who provide the goals are sometimes overlooked, with assists rarely receiving the same level of praise
• We look at the top players in the Premier League’s 30-year history who have provided the most assists

Goalscorers are adored. Forever remembered. They have become legends. Thierry Henry, Harry Kane, Gary Lineker, and Alan Shearer are all examples.

However, those who provide the goals are sometimes overlooked, with assists rarely receiving the same level of praise.

We look at the top players in the Premier League’s 30-year history who have provided the most assists.

10. David Beckham – 80

Beckham.| PHOTO: Givemesport|

David Beckham amassed an impressive 80 assists during his time at Manchester United.

Between 1997 and 2001, Beckham had ten or more assists in four consecutive seasons, with a high of 15 in the 1999/2000 season. Along with a slew of trophies, he is still 10th on the list of most assists in competition history and is at least seven assists ahead of any active chaser (Christian Eriksen has 73).

9. James Milner – 87

James Milner of Liverpool has never been particularly creative, registering double figures in assists only twice in the Premier League. However, by sheer longevity, the English midfielder has made this list, having played in the Premier League for two decades across Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and now Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

Still playing at Anfield, he could rise even higher by the end of his glittering career.

8. Steven Gerrard – 92

Steven Gerrard, another Liverpool player on the list, was known for his leadership and long-range screamers, but he was also great at setting up goals for his teammates.

The former Liverpool captain is the only man on this list who has not won the Premier League, but he has played a significant role in numerous title races and helped lift the Champions League trophy.

His legacy on Merseyside is unrivalled, with double-digit assists in three consecutive seasons.

7. David Silva – 93

David Silva with the Premier League title. Photo/ Goal.com.

The Spaniard only left the Premier League in 2020 but left an indelible mark on the competition. Silva was one of the first modern ‘legends’ to emerge from Manchester City’s recent trophy haul, recording 93 assists over ten seasons, grabbing more than ten in seven of those and providing goals with remarkable consistency for the Sky Blues.

6. Dennis Bergkamp – 94

Dennis Bergkamp, one of the original Premier League greats when it came to creativity, broadly redefined the second striker role upon his arrival in the English top flight. Striking up an excellent partnership with Thierry Henry, the Dutchman’s silky flicks and excellent vision helped the Gunners become a force in World football, grabbing 12 assists during their invincible season.

5. Kevin de Bruyne – 97

Kevin de Bruyne.|PHOTO: Getty Images|

Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne, the highest man on this list still playing, will almost certainly be higher up the list by the end of his time at the Etihad Stadium.

At 31 years old, the Belgian has surpassed double digits in assists this season and has a whopping 20 in 2019/20. One of the best players in the world, and with Erling Haaland to complete his chances, he could be ready to break that record in 2022/23.

4. Frank Lampard – 102

Frank Lampard was far more successful as a player than a manager, and he still holds the record for the most goals scored by a midfielder in Premier League history.

The first man on this list to reach 100, the Chelsea forward had 16 assists and 22 goals in his best return season.

3. Wayne Rooney – 103

Wayne Rooney, perhaps one of the more underappreciated players of his era, was world-class at 19 and only improved from there, playing as a striker, creative midfielder, and even deep-lying midfielder as his career progressed.

Known more for his goalscoring abilities than anything else, Rooney currently sits second on the all-time Premier League goalscoring list (though he is likely to be surpassed by Harry Kane in the coming months). Still, he also grabbed over 100 assists during that time, including five seasons in which he managed double figures.

2. Cesc Fabregas – 111

Cesc Fabregas, an Arsenal and Chelsea legend, narrowly outperformed himself while captaining the Gunners. He grabbed 20 assists in a season in 2007/2008 but hit 19 in his first season with Chelsea, helping Antonio Conte’s side to the Premier League title.

During his time in London, the Spaniard was a talismanic figure for both sides, thanks to his silky footwork and eye for a pass and his 111 Premier League assists.

1. Ryan Giggs – 162

Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs spent their careers at Manchester United. Photo/ The Sportstar – The Hindu.

Ryan Giggs surpassed everyone else on this list with an impressive 162 assists during his Manchester United career.

Given that he is the second-most appearance maker in Premier League history, his position at the top is somewhat understandable, but his returns were still impressive. Though he never had more than 11 assists in a season, he had double figures in seven seasons at Old Trafford.