Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' analytical column where Nick Wright mixes statistics with insight to highlight the Premier League stories that matter. This week’s focus includes: - Bruno Fernandes’ chase for the assist record - Whether manager Arne Slot has finally solved Manchester United’s right‑back dilemma - A player to keep an eye on this weekend Bruno Fernandes edged ever closer to a historic Premier League benchmark after setting up Benjamin Sesko’s swift strike in United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday. That assist put him just one tally away from matching Kevin De Bruyne’s 2020‑21 total for Manchester City and Thierry Henry’s 2002‑03 haul for Arsenal.
With four league fixtures remaining – Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, Brighton and the all‑important clash with Liverpool – the Portuguese midfielder is in a prime position to surpass both legends. Since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes has become United’s chief architect, but the current season marks his most prolific year: 19 assists, the highest he has ever recorded in a single Premier League campaign. If he maintains his current output over the remaining matches, he could finish with 22 assists, a figure that would comfortably eclipse the records of De Bruyne and Henry. The statistics underline how far ahead Fernandes sits this term.
His 19 assists are almost double the next best total – Rayan Cherki of Manchester City and Jarrod Bowen of West Ham, both on ten. The disparity is even more pronounced in the "chances created" metric: Fernandes has crafted 114 opportunities, while Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Arsenal’s Declan Rice trail with 61 each. In the Opta‑defined "big chances created" category, he leads with 28, again far beyond his peers. A large share of his assists stems from set‑piece deliveries.
Ten of his 19 assists have come directly from free‑kicks or corners, compared with just two and three respectively for Henry and De Bruyne when they set their records. Nonetheless, Fernandes is not a one‑trick pony; he also tops the league for open‑play chances created, highlighting his all‑round creativity.
Assists can be a product of a teammate’s finishing ability, but Fernandes also dominates the expected assists (xA) chart, which measures the quality of chances rather than the conversion. Since his Premier League debut, he has logged the highest xA of any player, reinforcing the argument that his contributions are genuine rather than merely lucky. Liverpool fans will recall the moment at Anfield in October when Fernandes delivered a perfectly weighted volleyed cross from the second phase of a corner, allowing Harry Maguire to head home the winner. A similar decisive contribution this Sunday would see him equal a record that has stood for 23 years and would bolster his case for the season’s Player of the Year award.
The column also turns to Liverpool’s right‑back situation. Curtis Jones, a 25‑year‑old midfielder, has been thrust into the role out of necessity, becoming the sixth Liverpool player to start at right back in the Premier League this season after the likes of Connor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo. Head coach Arne Slot praised Jones, noting that he has "hardly played in that position in his career" but has risen to the challenge admirably.
While Jones is still learning the nuances of full‑back play, his comfort on the ball and ability to contribute in possession have been evident. He delivered a through‑ball assist for Andrew Robertson’s goal against Crystal Palace, a pass that originated from a midfield position after a swift counter‑attack. That assist was one of 149 passes leading to a goal across the two games – the most by any Liverpool player this season. His composure under pressure and willingness to drift into central areas have helped smooth Liverpool’s build‑up play, earning praise from captain Virgil van Dijk, who described Jones as "outstanding" against Everton, particularly in possession.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, who has netted three times in his last four outings, is set to face Crystal Palace on Sunday and is expected to attract interest in the upcoming transfer window. The weekend’s broadcast schedule includes Arsenal versus Fulham in the Saturday Night Football slot, with coverage beginning on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event at 5 pm, ahead of the 5.30 pm kickoff.
Earlier, Bournemouth meets Crystal Palace at 2 pm on Sky Sports+, followed by the Super Sunday showdown between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, kicking off at 3.30 pm. On Monday, Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest for a 3 pm kickoff, while Everton face Manchester City at 8 pm, with Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event beginning coverage at 6.30 pm. A lingering question remains for Arsenal fans: can the Gunners still dream of an attacking showdown with Manchester City for the title? Last week’s column explored this possibility, but a fresh injury to Kai Havertz has added another hurdle to their campaign.
For those looking to add a bit of excitement, Sky Sports’ Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000 – entry is free, and the odds are open to all viewers. In summary, Bruno Fernandes is on the cusp of rewriting Premier League assist history, while Liverpool’s makeshift right‑back Curtis Jones continues to impress in an unfamiliar role.
With several key fixtures looming, the race for individual accolades and team success promises to intensify as the season draws to a close.