Kevin De Bruyne thinks the Premier League didn’t give him the assist record, which is now held by Bruno Fernandes.
Former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne feels that the Premier League unfairly took away an assist from him, which means Bruno Fernandes now holds the record instead.
Fernandes made his 21st Premier League assist this season during Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, setting up Patrick Dorgu’s goal. He then scored his ninth goal of the season to help seal the win on the final day.
Fernandes was also named Premier League Player of the Season on Saturday, becoming the first United player to win it since Nemanja Vidic in 2011. It’s been an amazing season for the 31-year-old, who played a big part in United finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League under interim boss Michael Carrick. Carrick was given a permanent two-year contract on Friday after stepping in back in January.
But De Bruyne believes Fernandes shouldn’t have the assist record just yet. Back in 2019/20, De Bruyne had 20 assists, tying him with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. In the first game after the Premier League’s COVID break, De Bruyne played a key role in City’s 3-0 win over Arsenal at the Etihad. He scored a penalty to put City ahead.
However, during an interview in September 2023, De Bruyne said he should’ve got credit for an assist to Raheem Sterling’s first goal in that match. His clever pass was deflected off David Luiz’s knee before Sterling scored. But because of Luiz’s touch, the Premier League didn’t count it as an assist for De Bruyne.
“They still took one away from me, against Arsenal,” De Bruyne said. “They took one away, and when they celebrated my 100th assist, they used that moment as the first clip in their video! Can you believe how wrong that was?” He has often said he doesn’t understand why the assist was removed.
The Premier League also took away another assist from him in that same season, again against Arsenal but in the away game. When the league’s official Twitter account said he had 16 assists at one point, De Bruyne replied with a correction, saying, “18.”