ERLING HAALAND (£10.5m) is one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football.
And Kevin De Bruyne (£8.4m) is arguably the best pure creator in Premier League history.
When Manchester City paired the two with the signing of the Norwegian poacher, fans and pundits expected big things… and the duo have not disappointed.
The Etihad’s apex predator has already broken the record for most goals in a Prem campaign (35 and counting) while the strawberry-blonde playmaker is leading the way in terms of assists with 16 – he’s nailed on to win his third Playmaker of the Season award on these shores.
De Bruyne has assisted Haaland eight times in the league alone this term, the most prolific combination in the top flight, as most expected.
But which other Premier League players have linked up the most in 2022/23?
PREMIER LEAGUE ASSIST-SCORER COMBINATIONS 2022/23:
- Kevin De Bruyne to Erling Haaland – 8
- Bruno Fernandes to Marcus Rashford – 6
- Bukayo Saka to Gabriel Martinelli – 5
- Jack Harrison to Rodrigo – 4
- James Maddison to Harvey Barnes – 4
- Ivan Perisic to Harry Kane – 4
- Dejan Kulusevski to Harry Kane – 4
- Michael Olise to Eberechi Eze – 4
- Jack Grealish to Erling Haaland – 4
It’s no surprise to see Manchester United’s two-best attacking assets on the podium.
Rashford and Fernandes have 529 Dream Team points between them and the Old Trafford faithful will be hoping the pair can get their side over the line in regards to Champions League qualification this month.
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What’s remarkable is that the Portugal international has provided seven league assists in total, meaning he’s only set up a team-mate other than Rashford once.
Arsenal’s first-choice wingers have both been brilliant this season and it’s incredible to think they’re both just 21 years old.
Martinelli has scored 15 goals and provided five assists in the league while Saka has 13 goals and 11 assists to his name – the latter is De Bruyne’s closest rival for the Playmaker of the Season award.
It’s interesting that the list features two combinations from the opposite end of the table as well.
Leeds have been ultra reliant on Harrison for creativity and Rodrigo for goals so it makes sense the duo have combined four times this season.
And Maddison and Barnes’ presence is evidence of Leicester’s attacking pedigree, which makes it all the more ridiculous that they’re threatened by relegation.
Both the Yorkshire giants and the Foxes have been severely undermined by shambolic defences this season.
Dream Team managers eyeing up a specific team in hope of late returns would do well to study the top assist-scorer combinations.
There’s few better feelings for a gaffer than checking the app on a Saturday afternoon and seeing their players have been among the goals AND the assists – points galore!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
