De Bruyne on brink of beating Gerrard Premier League stat – in 290 games less
Kevin De Bruyne is on the brink of beating Steven Gerrard's Premier League assist tally – in 290 fewer games than the Liverpool legend.
The Belgian maestro, 31, has racked up a mind-boggling 88 assists for Manchester City during his seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, bagging three already in the 2022/23 campaign. Slipping in Erling Haaland for a debut goal in City's Premier League curtain raiser against West Ham United, De Bruyne also turned provider in the champions' next two fixtures.
Finding Phil Foden in the area with a reverse ball vs Bournemouth, the ex-Wolfsburg ace completed a mesmerising pass to level the score against Newcastle by sliding the ball through the legs of Joe Willock at a seemingly impossible angle.
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De Bruyne, a two-time Playmaker of the Season winner, currently leads the Premier League assist standings after four matches, tied in joint first place with Roberto Firmino, Jack Harrison and ex-team-mate Gabriel Jesus.
Also registering one assist from his previous Premier League stint at Chelsea, the 31-year-old stands eighth in the all-time rankings – just three behind Reds legend Gerrard in seventh.
What's more impressive is that De Bruyne will undoubtedly match Gerrard's tally in half the amount of fixtures. The Man City magician has reached a mind-boggling 89 assists in just 214 appearances – Gerrard's total of 92 was attained across 504 outings.
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As well as bagging four top-flight titles, the dazzling Belgian shares the record for the most assists in a Premier League season, notching 20 in the 2019/20 campaign that ended behind closed doors with Project Restart in June. Arsenal hero Thierry Henry also bagged during the 2002/03 season.
However, De Bruyne might need to up his record in front of goal if he is to better Gerrard's record on two fronts. The Aston Villa boss scored 120 goals during his 17-year love affair at his boyhood club, KDB is lagging behind on 58.
And, of course, there's one elusive piece of silverware De Bruyne will need to achieve if he is to truly overshadow Gerrard – the Champions League trophy.
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