Ozil, though, largely continued to create chances at a similar rate. The German finished short of the Premier League assist mark that year but still holds the record for most chances created in a single season, with 146. Perhaps the more significant drop-off that year came from striker Olivier Giroud, who went 15 matches in a row from January to May without scoring in the Premier League.
If there is an element of randomness at play, the seasons of the two holders of the assist record could be instructive. De Bruyne and Henry finished with 20 assists and PFA Player of the Year accolades in 2020 and 2003 respectively, while playing for the team that finished runner-up in the league. Both also had remarkable bursts towards the end of the season. For De Bruyne, his numbers recovered from a winter slump after the Premier League was suspended by Covid. Once the league returned, two months later, and with the title already won by Liverpool, De Bruyne finished the year with four assists in six games, the record equalled.
Eighteen of Henry’s 20 assists in 2002-03 also came from open play
Eighteen of Henry’s 20 assists in 2002-03 also came from open play
Henry’s 20-assist season is even more spectacular once you consider that the French forward also scored 24 goals, and was playing at a time where assist numbers were not fixated upon like they are now, a fascination sparked by the rise of FPL (Fantasy Premier League). For Henry, it was the sheer satisfaction of selflessly setting up a teammate that motivated his eight assists over the final four games of the season. Henry was also in a battle with Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy for the Premier League Golden Boot going into the final two games but continued to provide for his teammates when he could have gone for goal himself.
As the Frenchman later told The Guardian: “To me, the most beautiful thing is making the pass when you are in a position to score yourself. You know you’re good enough to score, but you give the ball. You share.” And perhaps, as Saka prepares to continue his opening lap of this Premier League, that is the most valuable advice to follow.
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