Playmaker race: Who has the most assists?

We look at the current standings of the Premier League players competing to win the award for the most assists this season

Football writer Adrian Clarke takes a closer look at the players vying to win the Coca-Cola Golden Playmaker award, which is given to the Premier League player with the most assists.

The Coca-Cola Premier League Golden Playmaker prize is awarded to the player who produces the most assists in a top-flight season.

Since the award debuted in 2017/18, we have only had five different winners, with Kevin De Bruyne (three) and Mohamed Salah (two) being the dominant forces.

Eden Hazard, Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins have also claimed this illustrious award, which was most recently won by Salah, who provided 18 assists in 2024/25.

Bruno Fernandes is about to land his first-ever Golden Playmaker award. 

In reaching that milestone, Fernandes has now equalled the Premier League assists record, joining Thierry Henry (2002/03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20) at the top of an illustrious list. 

If the Portuguese star creates a goal in United’s final fixture, away to Brighton & Hove Albion, he will make history by owning that record in his own right.

The Portuguese star had already set a club record, comfortably eclipsing David Beckham’s 15 assists in 1999/2000 to record the highest number of assists in one season for Man Utd.

Player Assists
Bruno Fernandes 20
Rayan Cherki 12
Jarrod Bowen 10
Erling Haaland 8
Dominik Szoboszlai 7
James Garner 7
Harry Wilson 6
Morgan Rogers 6
Mohamed Salah 6
Leandro Trossard 6

 

Who are the in-form creators?
Claiming four assists in his last five appearances, Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai has made a strong impact in the latter stages of 2025/26. 
Three of his most recent contributions were for captain Virgil van Dijk, whipping quality set-piece deliveries into the danger zone for the Dutchman to attack. 
Five of his six assists overall have stemmed from dead ball situations, which puts the Hungarian star behind only Fernandes (10) in that department. 
Brighton left-back Maxim De Cuyper had not made a single goal in 2025/26 until late April, but ending the season with a flourish, he now has three assists in four games. 

The Belgian’s pinpoint crosses for Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk in a 3-0 success at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers helped keep the Seagulls in contention for European football next term. 

Last five Premier League matches Clean Sheets
Dominik Szoboszlai 4
Maxim De Cuyper 3
Bruno Fernandes 3
Most PL assists in single season by any player
Player Assists Season
Bruno Fernandes (MUN) 20* 2025/26
Thierry Henry (ARS) 20 2002/03
Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) 20 2019/20
Mesut Ozil (ARS) 19 2015/16
Cesc Fabregas (CHE) 18 2014/15
Frank Lampard (CHE) 18 2004/05
Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) 18 2016/17
Mohamed Salah (LIV) 18 2024/25
Cesc Fabregas (ARS) 17 2007/08
Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) 16 2017/18
Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) 16 2022/23
Eric Cantona (LEE/MUN) 16 1992/93