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The old saying goes, ‘Goals win you Games’. That will always hold true and it remains one of the biggest reasons why strikers grab all the headlines. But there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes of the football pitch that help strikers eventually score those all important goals.
The No. 10 role is arguably the most important role in any team. The primary string puller of the team, he helps keep things moving forward for the team and is usually the one to provide that all important assist for the striker to score.
Of course they playmaker might not always be the number 10. Some wingers have become exceptional at providing for the striker. So with that in mind let’s take a look at the 10 players with the most assists in the Premier League
#10. Thierry Henry – 74
Kicking off this top 10 is none other than Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. The former Premier League striker was known for his goalscoring ability but he also had a knack of being able to provide many for his teammates.
The Frenchman had an array of tricks, skills and goals in his armoury but many undervalued as to how many goals he actually set up for Arsenal. He would often be the trigger point for Arsenal attacks.
Henry also holds the unique record of having assisted the most number of times in a single season. He notched up 20 assists in one season a record that many have come close to achieving but falling just short.
It was widely expected Mesut Ozil would break that record last season but he fell short by just one. Henry is considered by many to be the greatest player the Premier League has ever seen and his spot on this list is a testament to the status.
#9. James Milner – 74
James Milner is a surprise 9th on this list of most assists in the game. The left-sided midfielder who can play in any position he is asked to has sweat and toiled his way to 74 assists in his career so far.
No doubt one of the most hard-working players in the game, Milner has found success with every club he has so far represented. His most successful spell was with Manchester City where he managed to win two Premier League titles.
Now at Liverpool, Milner has adapted brilliantly in the left-back role and is statistically the best left back in the Premier league this season. He has already notched up 6 goals and 3 assists this season.
He also has an amazing record of never losing a Premier League game in which he has found the net. The latest match that was added to this illustrious list was when he scored against Manchester United in a 1-1 draw on Sunday
#8. Teddy Sheringham – 76
The first Manchester United player in this list Teddy Sheringham is a forward who peaked late in his career. The 50-year-old has played for a host of Premier League clubs. Starting out with Millwall where he spent a majority of his career he went on to play for the Red Devils at the age of 30 and even won the treble under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sheringham was a prolific goalscorer in his heydey but was also very good at finding the perfect pass for teammates. His overall ability and intelligence of the game prompted Sir Alex to snatch him from Tottenham Hotspur in 1997.
Although he only managed 31 goals in 104 appearances, the goals he scored were normally of very high importance. He returned to Spurs three years later for a second spell which lasted 2 seasons.
He finally ended his career at Colchester United at the ripe old age of 42.
#7. David Beckham – 80
David Beckham is easily the most recognisable name in football apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of course. If there was one footballer who defined the superstar status from the late 90s to the late 00s it was Beckham.
Before Paul Pogba, Beckham was the king of the ever-changing hairstyle but there was a lot more to his game than just that. He was a free-kick specialist and the producer of the audacious.
He truly announced himself on the Premier League stage when he scored that brilliant goal from the halfway line that made everyone stand up and applaud the young Englishman.
He was also very deadly on the wing. His crosses would swerve and confuse the opposition defence. Most of his assists came from that wonderful right foot of his. His Manchester United career came to a slightly controversial end after a disagreement with Sir Alex Ferguson but he insists that they remain on good terms.
#6. Steven Gerrard – 92
Once the heartbeat of Liverpool, Steven Gerrard has provided Premier League fans with some of the most memorable moments in Premier League history. The first player on our list to hit the 90 mark Gerrard was the supreme king of the long ball during his 17 years at Liverpool.
He also had great strikers to play alongside during his time at the club, with the likes of Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres and most recently Luis Suarez all making a huge impact on the club and their fans.
Gerrard was famous for his heroism in scoring decisive goals in important games and also his ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck and single handily carry his team over the line.
No one really paid attention to his assist record because of the all-round nature of his game but his place on this list proves how good he was in providing for others.
#5. Dennis Bergkamp – 94
Dennis Bergkamp was one of the most graceful players to have made his name in English football. The only Invincible not signed by Arsene Wenger, Bergkamp was the chief provider for Arsenal and every striker’s dream.
He and Henry had an almost telepathic relationship and together they tore defences to shreds. He had an unrivalled first touch and was cool as a cucumber in front of goal. His calmness earned him the nickname ‘The Iceman’
He could play as a second striker or even as the No 10. Bergkamp is a product of the famed Ajax academy and was given his opportunity by none other Johan Cruyff. Although many fans believe Thierry Henry is the greatest ever Arsenal player, Bergkamp comes a close second.
#4. Cesc Fabregas – 100
Cesc Fabregas is one of the most controversial footballers of our time but there is no denying his talent. He was given his debut at Arsenal by Wenger at the tender age of 16. He has only gone from strength to strength since then and has become renowned for his passing ability.
The Spaniard forced a move to Barcelona after going on strike and refusing to train but it did not quite work out for him in Spain. He returned to England in a controversial move to Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea and won his first Premier League title with the club,
Fabregas’ strongest asset is his ability to provide an inch-perfect pass from a deep playmaker role. He did it several times for Chelsea during their title-winning season with Diego Costa getting on the end of most of his passes.
Although he has received limited game time this season he could still surpass the next two players on this list.
#3. Wayne Rooney – 101
Wayne Rooney recently overtook Fabregas and Bergkamp by reaching the 100 mark and now he is aiming for the all-time record. But he has some way to go tor reach that milestone. But 101 assists is still very impressive for the England captain.
Arguably United’s most versatile player in attack and also their most experienced, the Englishman has maintained a good level of consistency in his performances throughout his career.
He burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old for Everton scoring a scorcher against Arsenal. At the time, when he made the move to Manchester United, he was the most expensive teenager in football history.
Although he hasn’t been performing too well in recent seasons he will still go down as a Manchester United legend. Rooney has won the Premier League 5 times as well as a UEFA Champions League and an FA Cup.
#2. Frank Lampard – 102
Frank Lampard was one of the most consistent midfielders the Premier League has ever seen. He could improve any team given his ability to both provide and score goals at an incredible rate.
There was a point in time when he averaged 20 goals a season and also managed at least 13-15 assists. The likes of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney would usually garner more attention than Lampard on the front pages but his contribution is quite incredible.
He also has the honour of being Chelsea’s top scorer. Not many midfielders can have that on their C.V. Lampard won 3 Premier league titles with Chelsea along with the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa league.
#1. Ryan Giggs – 162
At no. 1 the player with the most assists in Premier League as of now is Ryan Giggs. The Welshman has had an incredible career and certainly deserves this spot on the list. A one-club man, Giggs represented Manchester United from 1992 to 2014.
A famed product of the Manchester United academy, Giggs is a graduate of the brightest group of youngsters to make it into the first team in United’s history. Along with Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, David Beckham and Nicky Butt, this group of individuals are now known famously as the Class of 92’.
He and Scholes were the two most successful players of this bunch and played together until the latter’s retirement in 2013. Ryan Giggs also holds the record for the most number of appearances in the Premier League standing at 632.
He has won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues during his illustrious career and United have certainly found it difficult to replace him out on that left wing.His record of 162 assists will probably never be broken or at least could take quite a while.
