English Premier League : Top 5 Defenders with Most assists in the history

English Premier League Top 5 Defenders with Most assists in the history

Modern Day football has evolved into a complete team game where every team member is vital for the team’s performance. Systems, philosophies and managers’ style of play have pushed almost every player to be versatile and capable of doing more than just that one assigned role.

Defenders or full backs are one such positional players who have accepted the change with open arms. Nowadays, defenders are not just used for defending but also in helping build a team’s attack. In this feature, we will reveal the Top 10 defenders with most assists in the English Premier League history.

1. Andrew Robertson

Andy Robertson

Clubs represented – Hull City and Liverpool

Premier League Outings – 231

Assists – 54

Liverpool’s Scottish Left-back Andy Robertson became the highest assist provider in the PL history last night after assisting Mohammed Salah for their first goal during the Reds’ 3-1 victory against Aston Villa. Before Hull City got relegated from England’s top flight, Robertson’s performance was enough to convince Jurgen Klopp to get him into the team. His transfer to Anfield will go down as one of the best signings ever as the Left-back has been a vital part of the club’s UEFA Champions League triumph in 2019 and first Premier League title a year later. He overtook Leighton Baines’ tally of 53 assists in 189 fewer games.

2. Leighton Baines

Leighton Baines

Clubs represented – Wigan Athletic and Everton 

Premier League outings – 420

Assists – 53

Before Trent Alexander Arnold’s emphatic 2019/20 season when he became the highest assist provider with 13 assists, Leighton Baines was the defender who had the most assists in a single season with 11 assists. While playing for Wigan and Everton, Baines registered 53 assists which was the most by a defender before Andy Robertson toppled his tally.

3. Trent Alexander Arnold 

Trent alexander arnold

Clubs represented – Liverpool

Premier League outings – 176

Assists – 45

Trent Alexander Arnold is by far one of the greatest right backs in the history of the competition. Although his defending abilities have raised many questions but his offensive involvement cannot be questioned. His ability to create space and produce delicious balls for the attackers is impeccable. He scans, sees and analyses the game really which is one of the reasons why Arnold is Jurgen Klopp’s core team member. The 24-year-old is already a champions league winner and with his peak years ahead of him, Arnold will have more to contribute.

4. Graeme Le Saux 

Graeme Le Saux

Clubs represented – Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton

Premier League outings – 327

Assists – 44

Graeme Le Saux was a flexible left-back who played for clubs like Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton. Although he started his career as a Left winger, Le Saux later became a Left-full back. He was a part of Blackburn’s Premier League winning team in 1994 under Sir Kenny Dalglish.

5. Ian Harte

Ian Harte

Clubs represented – Leeds United, Sunderland and Reading

Premier League outings – 237

Assists – 36

At Elland Road, Ian Harte was more well-known for his goal-scoring abilities, especially from dead-ball situations. However, the Irishman didn’t require a second invitation to maraud into the opposing half like his fellow countryman Kelly.