De Bruyne set to be first Playmaker of the Year

THE Premier League’s leading assist maker will finally be recognised with the introduction of a new ‘Playmaker of the Year’ award, which was announced yesterday.

Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne is on course to claim the inaugural prize, with 15 assists this season. He leads teammates Leroy Sane (12) and David Silva (11).

Tottenham’s Dele Alli is the highest non-City player on the list, with 10, followed by Mohamed Salah, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba and Christian Eriksen, all level on nine.

In fact De Bruyne currently has the best minute per assist rate in Premier League history, averaging one every 179.1 minutes, although he will need an outstanding final five games of the season if he is to break Thierry Henry’s record haul of 20 assists in a season.

The new award was launched by Henry, in association with Cadbury. “Scoring goals is one of the best feelings a player can have on the pitch,” said the Frenchman.

“Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without the playmakers creating those chances. It’s amazing that Cadbury and the Premier League are celebrating playmakers in this way – I personally enjoyed providing assists more than scoring.

“Being able to provide those moments for your teammates brings great joy and I’m sure this award will inspire many more in the future to create great chances and even greater goals.”

De Bruyne would also have won the 2016/17 award, as he notched 18 assists to Eriksen’s 15. – The Independent