De Bruyne looking to break Premier League assist record against Southampton

Kevin De Bruyne will be looking to break a Premier League assist record when Manchester City face Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday.

The 31-year-old has established himself as one of the greatest playmakers to have ever graced the Premier League since joining the Citizens from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015.

De Bruyne has enjoyed another impressive season in front of goal, contributing with seven goals and 20 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions this term, including five goals and 13 assists in 26 Premier League games.

The Belgium international registered his 99th Premier League assist in City’s deserved 4-1 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.

Should De Bruyne provide an assist for one of his Citizens teammates on Saturday, he will become just the fifth player in Premier League history to set up 100 goals in the competition.

De Bruyne is just three behind newly-appointed Chelsea boss Frank Lampard (102) in fourth on the all-time assist list and only four behind Wayne Rooney (103) in third, while Ryan Giggs (162) and Cesc Fabregas (111) make up the top two.

City’s No.17 would also become the quickest Premier League player to reach 100 assists if he sets up a teammate in his 237th top-flight game on Saturday.

Three years ago, De Bruyne became the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League assists, doing so after 123 games and comfortably beating the previous record held by former Arsenal man Mesut Ozil, who reached the half century of assists in 141 matches.

Earlier this season, De Bruyne moved above Dennis Bergkamp into fifth outright on the all-time Premier League assist list after setting up a goal in Man City’s 4-0 home victory against Southampton in October.

The Belgian has had plenty of joy in front of goal when playing against the Saints, scoring five goals and providing nine assists in 14 games across all tournaments.

Only against Watford (10) has De Bruyne registered more assists than against Southampton in his entire career to date.

De Bruyne could look to tee up goal machine Erling Braut Haaland on Saturday, as the Norwegian striker is “ready” to return from injury and play at St Mary’s according to manager Pep Guardiola.

Man City, who have won each of their last four Premier League games, currently sit second in the table and eight points behind leaders Arsenal, but they will reduce the gap to the summit to five points with a win over Southampton, before the Gunners face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.