Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' analytical column where Nick Wright blends statistics with insight to highlight the Premier League stories you need to know. This week’s focus includes three key topics: Fernandes’ chase for an assist record, the search for a right‑back solution by manager Arne Slot, and a player worth keeping an eye on this weekend.
Bruno Fernandes has edged tantalisingly close to matching a historic Premier League assist tally. In Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday, his precise pass set up Benjamin Šeško’s breakaway strike, marking Fernandes’ 19th assist of the 2023‑24 campaign. That figure places him just one contribution away from equalling the joint‑record held by Kevin De Bruyne, who notched 20 assists for Manchester City in the 2019‑20 season, and Thierry Henry, who reached the same total for Arsenal in 2002‑03. With four league fixtures remaining – Liverpool, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton – the Portuguese playmaker has a realistic chance of surpassing both legends if he maintains his current output.
Since arriving at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes has evolved into one of the league’s most prolific creators. His current haul of 19 assists is not only a personal best but also a staggering margin above any other player this season. The next closest competitors, Rayan Cherki of Manchester City and Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United, sit at just ten assists each, meaning Fernandes’ total is almost double theirs. The disparity extends to broader creative metrics as well.
Fernandes has generated 114 chances, a figure that dwarfs the 61 recorded by Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Arsenal’s Declan Rice, who sit second on the list. In the category of "big chances" – those with a high probability of resulting in a goal – Fernandes leads with 28, again well ahead of his peers. A significant portion of Fernandes’ assist tally stems from set‑piece situations.
Ten of his 19 assists have come directly from free‑kicks or corners, compared with only two and three such assists in the record‑setting seasons of Henry and De Bruyne respectively. Nevertheless, his open‑play creativity is equally impressive; he tops the league for chances created from open play, underscoring his all‑round ability to unlock defences both from dead‑ball situations and in the flow of the game.
Beyond raw assist numbers, advanced metrics confirm Fernandes’ impact. He leads the league in expected assists (xA), a statistic that measures the quality of chances a player creates, independent of whether a teammate actually scores. Since his Premier League debut, no other player has posted a higher cumulative xA, highlighting the genuine threat he poses every time he delivers a ball into the final third.
Fernandes’ influence was on full display at Anfield in October, when his expertly struck volleyed cross from a second‑phase corner found Harry Maguire, who headed home the decisive goal against Liverpool. A similar moment this weekend could see Fernandes tie the 23‑year‑old record and cement his case for the season’s Player of the Year award. The column also touches on Liverpool’s right‑back conundrum.
Curtis Jones, traditionally a central midfielder, has been thrust into the role out of necessity. After impressing against Crystal Palace and Everton, Jones became the sixth Liverpool player to start at right‑back in the Premier League this season, joining the likes of Connor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo. Manager Arne Slot praised Jones, noting his limited experience in the position but commending his performance as a "big compliment" to the team. While Jones still has much to learn, his comfort on the ball and ability to deliver incisive passes – exemplified by a through‑ball assist for Andrew Robertson’s goal against Palace – have added a new dimension to Liverpool’s build‑up play.
Veteran defender Virgil van Dijk lauded Jones, calling his display "outstanding" and highlighting his impact in possession. Looking ahead, Bournemouth’s Junior Kropi, who has found the net three times in his last four outings, will face Crystal Palace on Sunday and is likely to attract interest during the upcoming transfer window. Meanwhile, the weekend’s broadcast schedule includes Arsenal versus Fulham on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, followed by the Super Sunday clash between Manchester United and Liverpool, and a series of other fixtures featuring Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Manchester City. In summary, Bruno Fernandes stands on the brink of rewriting Premier League history, with a realistic path to surpassing both De Bruyne’s and Henry’s assist records.
His blend of set‑piece precision, open‑play vision, and consistently high expected‑assist values marks him as the league’s premier creator. Liverpool’s temporary right‑back solution in Curtis Jones illustrates the adaptability required in modern football, while emerging talents like Junior Kropi signal the continual churn of promising players ready to make their mark. Fans can look forward to a decisive final stretch of the season, where every assist, chance created, and tactical adjustment could prove pivotal in the race for titles and personal accolades.