Bukayo Saka finished with 13 assists, building on his consistent output from the previous campaigns. His 3.1 key passes per 90 minutes illustrate how central he is to Arsenal’s attack, often receiving the ball wide right before cutting in or driving to the byline. His expected assists (xA) sat at a healthy 9.8, meaning he consistently put teammates in prime scoring positions. Saka’s creative style is all about directness and quick feet; he's not one to dawdle, preferring quick one-twos or a sudden burst of pace to create separation. Remember that outside-of-the-boot pass for Kai Havertz against Villa in October? Pure class.
Mohamed Salah, even at 33, proved he still has plenty in the tank, bagging 11 assists for Liverpool. His 2.8 key passes per 90 are impressive for a primary goal scorer, showing he’s not just looking for his own shot. Salah’s xA of 8.5 tells you he’s still manufacturing quality chances. His creative output, much like his goalscoring, is a blend of relentless pressing, intelligent off-ball movement to draw defenders, and surprisingly deft through balls. He’s often finding Darwin Núñez making runs into the channels, or setting up a deeper runner like Curtis Jones arriving late.
Cole Palmer, in his second season at Chelsea, solidified his status as a legitimate superstar with 10 assists. His 3.5 key passes per 90 were among the league leaders, a testament to his vision and his role as the primary creative hub for the Blues. Palmer’s xA of 9.1 hints at how many high-quality chances he generated, even if some weren't converted. His style is a cool, calm possession-based creativity. He loves to hold the ball, draw defenders, and then release a perfectly weighted pass, often a no-look through ball or a pinpoint cross from the right flank. He put on a clinic with that assist to Nico Jackson against Brentford in April, splitting two defenders.
Now, let's talk about the maestro. Kevin De Bruyne, despite missing a chunk of the season through injury, still managed 9 assists in just 22 appearances. His key passes per 90 were an outrageous 4.2 – easily the highest in the league for anyone with significant minutes. De Bruyne’s xA of 7.0 in limited time shows just how elite his chance creation remains. His creative style is simply unparalleled: he sees passes no one else does, hitting them with power and precision, whether it’s a whipped cross from deep, a defense-splitting through ball, or a delicate chip over the top. He practically gift-wrapped a hat-trick of assists for Erling Haaland against Fulham in November. It’s almost unfair.
Bruno Fernandes also notched 9 assists for Manchester United, continuing to be their main source of offensive spark. His 3.3 key passes per 90 highlight his constant probing and willingness to take risks with his passing. Fernandes’s xA of 8.0 confirms he’s consistently creating valuable opportunities, even if his decision-making can be a bit hit-or-miss at times. His creativity is high-volume, high-risk, high-reward. He’ll try the audacious pass, the unexpected chip, and while it doesn’t always come off, when it does, it’s often spectacular. That cross for Rasmus Højlund’s header against West Ham in December was a thing of beauty.
Anthony Gordon, a revelation for Newcastle, finished with 8 assists. His 2.9 key passes per 90 show his growing influence on the Magpies’ attack, primarily from the left wing. Gordon's xA of 6.5 suggests he’s developing into a consistent chance creator. His style is all about pace and direct running. He thrives on bursting past fullbacks, then either cutting the ball back sharply or drilling a low cross into the box. He provided a key assist for Alexander Isak’s winner against Spurs in March, a classic run-and-cross. He’s not as flashy as some, but he’s incredibly effective.
Rounding out the top ten were Martin Ødegaard (8 assists, 2.7 key passes/90, 6.2 xA), who offers a more intricate, technical creativity in the half-spaces; Phil Foden (8 assists, 2.6 key passes/90, 6.0 xA), a master of tight spaces and quick exchanges; James Maddison (7 assists, 3.0 key passes/90, 6.8 xA), whose dead-ball delivery and incisive through balls are still top-tier despite Spurs' inconsistencies; and Trent Alexander-Arnold (7 assists, 2.5 key passes/90, 6.3 xA), who continues to be a crossing machine from deep and wide.
Here's the thing: while the raw assist numbers are great, the xA and key passes per 90 tell a deeper story. Palmer's high key passes and xA, for instance, mean he’s consistently setting up quality chances, even if his teammates sometimes fluff their lines. De Bruyne’s numbers, even in limited minutes, just prove his genius.
My hot take? Despite Palmer's brilliant season, De Bruyne is still the best pure creator in the world, and I'd argue he edges out anyone in Premier League history for his consistency and sheer audacity of pass. The only reason he's not at 15 assists is injury.
Next season, I'm predicting De Bruyne, fully fit, will blow everyone out of the water with 18 assists, reclaiming his crown emphatically.
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