The most assists in a single Premier League season

Kevin De Bruyne may be vying for another spot in the Premier League history books, but he has received more criticism than compliments from Pep Guardiola this season.

While De Bruyne was rapidly establishing a ruthless rapport with Erling Haaland at the start of the season, Manchester City's manager insisted: “He’s not playing at his top level, Kevin, not yet."

The steady stream of direct goal contributions continued to flow but Guardiola continued to strive after perfection, a flame many touch yet few can hold. Ahead of City's Champions League round of 16 second leg against RB Leipzig in March, Guardiola said: “I’d like to see the principles, an incredible ability to see passes and make assists, but I like to think he will get better with the simple things.”

The unrelenting demands from his manager - coupled with an insatiable striker hunting after his own records - has inspired De Bruyne to yet another assist-laden season. The Belgian has already become the fastest player to accrue 100 Premier League assists in the competition's history this term, but can he break the single-season record for goals created in England's top flight?

Who has recorded the most assists in a single Premier League season?

A pair of all-time Premier League greats currently share the single-season assist record. Thierry Henry and De Bruyne both registered 20 assists during the 2002/03 and 2019/20 seasons respectively.

Henry came ever so close to claiming the Golden Boot during the 02/03 campaign as well, but he was eventually beaten to the award by Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy. Surprisingly, the Frenchman wasn't able to lift Arsenal to the Premier League title as Van Nistelrooy's Red Devils reclaimed their crown.

De Bruyne's prolific 2019/20 season also resulted in no title as Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool ran riot during the Covid-hit campaign. The Belgian currently ranks fifth all-time for Premier League assists with 95, and he has the likes of Frank Lampard (102), Wayne Rooney (103), and Cesc Fabregas (111) in his sights. Ryan Giggs is way out in front with 162.

Thierry Henry (Arsenal) - 20 assists - 2002/03
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 20 assists - 2019/20
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) - 19 assists - 2015/16
Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - 18 assists - 2004/05
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) - 18 assists - 2014/15
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 18 assists - 2016/17
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) - 17 assists - 2007/08
Eric Cantona (Manchester United) - 16 assists - 1992/93
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 16 assists - 2017/18
Matt Le Tissier (Southampton) - 15 assists - 1994/95
Steve McManaman (Liverpool) - 15 assists - 1995/96

Will Kevin De Bruyne break the record for most assists in a season?

De Bruyne is going in search of his own joint record during 2022/23. The Belgian was creating at a frightening rate in the opening months of the campaign; providing nine assists in his first nine league outings of the season.

However, the conveyor belt of chance creation began to creak heading into the new year, with De Bruyne failing to create a top-flight goal between mid-October and the start of January.

A return to form following the disappointment of Belgium's World Cup group-stage exit has left De Bruyne with 14 assists from 27 Premier League appearances - comfortably the highest tally in the division.

If the 31-year-old continues to create at the same rate for City's remaining fixtures, he is on course to finish as many as 19 assists. Yet, as City ramp up their performance to launch a final assault on Arsenal at the Premier League summit, it's hardly out of the question that De Bruyne's output increases, giving him every chance of bettering his own personal best.

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