Football
Premier League Playmakers: Ranking the Top 10 Players by All-Time Assists
The players who provide the assists are the ones who create true goal-scorers. Those featured in this top list have turned setting up goals into a genuine art form.
Ryan Giggs/Getty Images
Indeed, goals are what steal the viewer's eye. Those who win the Golden Boot are the ones who make the front page. Long-range goals, an unthinkable volley or a scissor kick will always be the ones that receive applause. However, behind the goal scored there is a footballer, an artist, who manages to make a pass at the perfect moment and break the wall of the opposing defence. That's why every team needs a creator, someone who paints.
So, let's see who the creators, artists and those who help footballers in front of goal become goal scorers. Let's look at the numbers and who are the top 10 players who have provided the most assists in the entire history of the Premier League.
The Art of an Assist
Before we look at the numbers, let's define what the style of each goal pass is. They can be in many ways. Some of them can be passes between opposing players, which somehow cut through the defence, a style used very often recently by Kevin De Bruyne. Other goal passes can come from crosses, often used by full-backs, or wide midfielders, as we see with Trent Alexander-Arnold. And perhaps the most common are those that come from set pieces, which we see most often with players like Bruno Fernandes.
Regardless of how the goal pass is given, those who provide it must have certain skills. Passing range, vision and of course, timing are the most important for a passer to become the king of goal passes.
The Premier League's Creative Elite
Vision, precision, and consistency define these players who sit atop the Premier League's all-time assist charts:
| Rank | Player | Assists |
| 1 | Ryan Giggs | 162 |
| 2 | Kevin De Bruyne | 119 |
| 3 | Cesc Fabregas | 111 |
| 4 | Wayne Rooney | 103 |
| 5 | Frank Lampard | 102 |
| 6 | Dennis Bergkamp | 94 |
| 7 | David Silva | 93 |
| 8 | Steven Gerrard | 92 |
| 9 | James Milner | 89 |
| 10 | Mohamed Salah | 87 |
Spotlight on the Maestros
Ryan Giggs – The Long-Standing Leader
When you think of Premier League heritage, Ryan Giggs is the name. And when you think of Giggs, you think about that unforgettable goal against Arsenal in 1999 and about his ability to give assists in special ways. Across 23 seasons with Manchester United, he didn’t just rack up titles, he delivered consistently from the flanks, carving defences with his classic left-footed deliveries. His 162 assists remain untouched, and honestly? They might never be caught. He wasn’t flashy in the modern sense, but his ability to read the game and float crosses on a dime made him a nightmare for defenders.
Kevin De Bruyne – The Modern Master
If Giggs is tradition, De Bruyne is evolution. The Belgian playmaker has torched assist records at warp speed, already sitting second with 119 assists and counting. What sets him apart? A freakish range of passing, long diagonals, no-looks, and reverse balls between centre-backs. He’s the blueprint for the modern creative midfielder, and his assists-per-game rate is unmatched. When fit, he’s a cheat code.
Midfield Magicians: Fabregas, Lampard, Silva, Gerrard
- Cesc Fabregas: One of the most naturally gifted passers the league’s ever seen. His Arsenal and Chelsea years were a masterclass in anticipation and weight of pass.
- Frank Lampard: Often remembered for his legendary goals, but his 102 assists highlight his rounded game, especially with set pieces and late runs to help his teammates win important games.
- David Silva: Although he didn't always stand out, David Silva was one of Manchester City's conductors in the 2010s. With his sudden movements and well-timed passes, the Spaniard was always one step ahead of his opponents.
- Steven Gerrard: A symbol of Liverpool, Gerrard had all the qualities of a top midfielder. Long balls, driven crosses, incisive through balls. He was not only the leader of the team, he was also its engine.
Versatile Threats: Rooney, Salah, Bergkamp
- Wayne Rooney: One of the best forwards by name, but a creator by instinct. His versatility made him just as likely to assist as to score.
- Mohamed Salah: Often miscast as a selfish winger, but 87 assists say otherwise. He’s evolved into a well-rounded forward who creates as much as he scores.
- Dennis Bergkamp: Pure class. His touches, his vision, it was football artistry. Every assist felt like a sculpture in motion.
Key Observations
What stands out? The fact that it's not that important what position you play. Even if you are a winger, central midfielder, attacking midfielder or even a central forward, you can become a genius in terms of goal assists.
It should also be noted that there is a competition between longevity and explosion. Giggs and Milner were players who collected a lot of games in the Premier League, playing their entire careers in England, while De Bruyne and Fabregas, even though they also spent time in other foreign leagues, managed to become very good goalscorers very quickly. Most of the footballers on the list, as you can see, are players who brought titles to the clubs they played for, which shows that creativity brings you success, and ultimately trophies.
Conclusion
Assists might not earn Golden Boots, but they earn respect from teammates, coaches, and real football lovers. These 10 names didn’t just play the game, they elevated it.
Ryan Giggs still reigns supreme, but Kevin De Bruyne has come very close to the Manchester United legend. And behind them, a legacy of magic-makers who redefined what it means to see the game differently.
SportsBoom Suggest
Players who make these passes build a true top goal scorer, perhaps even a legend. The players who top the Premier League assist charts weren't just good passers, they were visionaries who shaped matches with a moment of brilliance.
Players high on the all-time assist list often possess exceptional creative abilities; tracking their form for assists is valuable for bettors considering player performance markets ("To Record an Assist") or evaluating a team’s overall attacking potential.
With a strong background in journalism and years of experience in sports commentary, Dragoș Șoneriu has written about every aspect of sport, from match reports and features to tactical analyses and investigative pieces. A lifelong Arsenal fan, he dreams of seeing his beloved team lift the Premier League trophy. Outside of work, Dragoș collects anything football-related, from stickers and mugs to vintage shirts and scarves.