Football has become increasingly universal, meaning old stereotypes no longer hold.
One pertinent example is how defenders are now a credible threat in the opposition half, as well as being a presence in their own.
It’s no longer shocking to see defenders make regular attacking contributions. And with certain managers embracing attack, we are seeing full-backs effectively become auxiliary wingers.
As much is clear when looking at the top-10 list of defenders with the most Premier League assists (data since records began, sourced from the league’s official website). All of them play(ed) at right- or left-back.
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Read on for the full list. Four current stars make the cut, with Aaron Cresswell missing out for now.
Meanwhile, given their respective conversion from a midfield or attacking positions at Old Trafford, we chose to omit both Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia as they never exclusively played in defence throughout their careers.
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10. Gary Neville
Club(s): Man United
Premier League appearances: 400
Assists: 35
A graduate of Manchester United’s fabled Class of ’92, not many banked on Gary Neville enjoying an illustrious playing career. Deemed too short to play centre-back, Neville reinvented himself at right-back, closely studying teammate and multifunctional full-back Denis Irwin, and would strike up a legendary tandem on the right flank with David Beckham.
9. Cesar Azpilicueta
Club(s): Chelsea
Premier League appearances: 349
Assists: 35
Affectionately nicknamed “Dave” by his Chelsea teammates, it took a while for Cesar Azpilicueta to settle at Stamford Bridge. But since the Spaniard found his feet, he didn’t look back. A two-time Premier League winner, Azpilicueta captained Chelsea before leaving the club a legend.
8. Kieran Trippier
Club(s): Burnley, Tottenham, Newcastle
Premier League appearances: 185
Assists: 35
The Bury Beckham, you’d expect Kieran Trippier to be on this list. But he’s only a recent addition. Trippier started his Premier League career with Burnley, making four assists in 38 league games. He really made a name for himself in the league at Tottenham Hotspur, though, playing 69 times in the league and providing 14 assists. But that looked to be it for his tally, with Trippier leaving to spend two-and-a-half years in La Liga with Atletico Madrid. But he returned with Newcastle, where a fine spell has seen the Englishman break into the top 10.
7. Kyle Walker
Club(s): Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester City
Premier League appearances: 403
Assists: 36
Kyle Walker is the second of four players on this list still playing in the Premier League, though his playing time at Manchester City is winding down. The Englishman was one of the Premier League’s most consistent players over five years or so, helping Man City win four consecutive Premier League titles. He was a defensive master at his peak, but he has chipped in with assists over the years. Of course, he started in the Premier League at Tottenham, with Man City enticed to pay over £50 million for the right-back om 2017.
6. Ian Harte
Club(s): Leeds United, Sunderland, Reading
Premier League appearances: 237
Assists: 36
Ian Harte was known more for his goalscoring during his time at Elland Road, particularly from dead-ball situations. But like his fellow compatriot (and full-back) Gary Kelly, the Irishman didn’t need a second invitation to maraud into the opposition half.
5. Andy Hinchcliffe
Club(s): Everton, Sheffield Wednesday
Premier League appearances: 219
Assists: 36
A set-piece master, Andy Hinchcliffe came through at boyhood club Man City but would join Everton a few seasons before the Premier League’s inception. He spent the majority of the 1990s at Goodison Park before seeing out his career at Sheffield Wednesday.
4. Graeme Le Saux
Club(s): Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Southampton
Premier League appearances: 327
Assists: 44
Graeme Le Saux was part of Blackburn’s Premier League-winning side under Kenny Dalglish, a stint that was sandwiched between spells at boyhood club Chelsea. During that run, he’d collect 36 England caps with his only goal coming against Brazil.
3. Leighton Baines
Club(s): Wigan, Everton
Premier League appearances: 420
Assists: 53
During the 2010-11 season Leighton Baines registered 11 assists, the most by a defender in a single Premier League campaign equalling former Toffee full-back Hinchcliffe’s total in 1994-95.
That was until Trent Alexander-Arnold burst onto the scene and set a new record with 13 in Liverpool’s title-winning 2019-20 campaign.
2. Andrew Robertson
Club(s): Hull City, Liverpool
Premier League appearances: 286
Assists: 59
One half of Liverpool’s irresistible full-back duo, Andrew Robertson briefly tasted Premier League action with Hull City before their 2017 relegation. His performance during that one season convinced the powers that be at Anfield to sign him, a transfer that has gone down as one of the best bargains in Premier League history. Robertson himself is one of the best left-backs in Premier League history.
The Scot has racked up close to 300 appearances in the division, with no defender providing more assists. He was the one to take the record from Baines.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Club(s): Liverpool
Premier League appearances: 237
Assists: 59
Trent Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as the best attacking right-back in the world. For some, he may even be the best full stop. The Liverpudlian has a passing range and vision that central midfielders will be jealous of. Which will explain why people clamour for him to play in midfield.
But he remains a right-back, and at the top of the Premier League. Alexander-Arnold joins Robertson on 59 Premier League assists, but he’s matched his teammate despite playing just under 150 fewer matches. This should be his record outright sooner rather than later. If he remains in the Premier League, that is.