Premier League's Forgotten Assist Kings: Five Legends Who'd Have Bagged Playmaker Glory

The Premier League Playmaker award – that shiny gong for the bloke with the most assists – has only been dished out since the 2017/18 season. But rewind the clock to the Premier League's wild early days, starting in 1992, and you'll find some proper surprises topping the charts. As reported by the lads at Football365 via OneFootball, we've dug into the archives to spotlight five unsung heroes who would've walked away with the trophy. Buckle up; these stories are gold.

Andy Cole: The Poacher Who Could Pick a Pass

Picture this: Newcastle United bouncing back to the top flight in 1993/94 under Kevin Keegan. Enter Andy Cole, the striker we all remember for his goals, not his vision. Yet, he racked up 13 assists – joint-top with Manchester United's Eric Cantona.

Cole didn't just create; he won the Golden Boot with 34 goals, smashing records left, right and centre. No one's been involved in more goals in a single Prem campaign. He even shares the record for most games scored in (26) with Harry Kane. What a season for the Magpies' main man.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: Golden Boot, Assist Ace

Fast-forward to 1998/99, and Leeds United had a certain Dutch destroyer up front: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Yeah, the guy famed for thunderbolts, but he matched Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp for assists that year.

JFH bagged the Golden Boot too – one of three sharers with 18 goals, alongside Liverpool's Michael Owen and Man Utd's Dwight Yorke. Trouble was, his agent got big-headed, demanding silly money. Leeds shipped him off to Atletico Madrid instead. Classic Prem drama.

Nobby Solano: The Trumpet-Tooting Wing Wizard

Newcastle again in 1999/2000, this time with Peruvian flair on the right: Nolberto 'Nobby' Solano. He went toe-to-toe with David Beckham, matching his 15 assists – the highest that season (edging out even modern great Bruno Fernandes's best).

Solano nearly did it again the next year, just shy of Becks' dozen. And let's not forget: the lad could play the trumpet. Take that, David. Right-wing crosses don't come much better.

Muzzy Izzet: Relegation Rebel with 14 Assists

Here's the mad one. Leicester City in 2003/04 – a dire campaign with just six wins and relegation looming. Step up midfield maestro Muzzy Izzet, the Turkish Fox who laid on 14 assists – top of the league.

That's 30% of Leicester's goals from his boot. Arsenal's Invincibles dominated, sure, but Paolo Di Canio (Charlton) and Brett Emerton (Blackburn) trailed Izzet. Proper underrated gem, that Muzzy.

Nani: United's Title-Winning Flair Merchant

Finally, Manchester United's 2010/11 title romp – their record 19th. Nani was electric, notching 14 assists en route to Players' Player of the Year and a PFA Team of the Year nod.

We slag him off now as flaky, with that infamous Anfield sob-fest, but that season? Untouchable. Shame about the home statue he apparently commissioned – bit much, lad.

These five – Cole, Hasselbaink, Solano, Izzet, and Nani – prove assists were flying thick and fast before the award existed. Izzet stands alone as the only one topping the charts while his side got relegated. Next time you're moaning about modern creators, raise a glass to these pioneers. Football's always been about the unsung sidekicks.