Goalscorers generally get the Premier League plaudits but they can’t do it all on their own.
Here we have the top-five assist makers in the competition’s history.
1. Ryan Giggs – Manchester United – 162
Way out in front is Manchester United and Wales wing wizard Ryan Giggs. A mere 51 assists away from his nearest challenger, Giggs was regularly seen laying them on a plate for the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole and Mark Hughes.
He played 672 times for the Red Devils and his hefty total of assists is unlikely to be beaten any time soon with his top-five rivals no longer playing today.
2. Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal and Chelsea – 111
The mercurial Spaniard delighted crowds in London but despite a large number of assists to his name he could never get close to Giggs’ total despite his combined 350 appearances for Arsenal and Chelsea.
The midfielder was a creative spark in some exciting sides and he is fondly remembered at both clubs. His total of 111 remains the leading number of assists made by a foreign import in the English top flight.
3. Wayne Rooney – Everton and Manchester United – 103
No other English player has managed as many assists as the former Manchester United and England captain, whose tally is more remarkable given he is primarily remembered for being a goalscorer, bagging 208 goals in the Premier League.
Rooney’s all-round play was excellent, though, and he formed many formidable partnerships with a host of top strikers, particularly with United at Old Trafford, where Van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo were grateful recipients of many a helping hand from the livewire forward.
4. Frank Lampard – West Ham, Chelsea & Manchester City – 102
Frank Lampard deserves plenty of plaudits for his playing career as the box-to-box midfielder not only holds the record for most goals by a midfielder in the Premier League, but he has also scored the most goals from outside the box and is Chelsea’s record goalscorer with 211.
Lampard also found time to help out his team-mates with Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko among a number of strikers who benefitted from playing alongside the current Blues’ interim boss.
5. Kevin De Bruyne – Chelsea & Manchester City – 101
A relative newcomer to this list, City’s star playmaker is ready to propel himself even higher as the games come thick and fast this season.
After usurping Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp to nick fifth place in this list, the Belgian schemer is just one assist away from former teammate at both Stamford Bridge and the Etihad, Lampard.
It’s unlikely he will catch Giggs but second spot looks well within reach for the magnificent Citizen.
