Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' analytical column where Nick Wright blends statistics with opinion to highlight the Premier League stories you need to know. This week’s agenda includes: - A deep dive into Bruno Fernandes' chase for the assist record - An update on Arne Slot's search for a right‑back solution - A player to keep an eye on this weekend Bruno Fernandes edged ever closer to a historic Premier League benchmark when his pass set up Benjamin Sesko’s solo strike in Manchester United’s 2‑1 victory over Brentford on Monday. That assist placed him just one tally away from matching the joint‑record held by Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, 2019/20) and Thierry Henry (Arsenal, 2002/03).
With four league fixtures remaining – Liverpool, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton – the Portuguese midfielder has a realistic chance of eclipsing both legends. Since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2020, Fernandes has become United’s chief architect, but this season his assist total of 19 is by far his most prolific. If he continues to supply his teammates at the current clip, a final tally of 22 assists is within reach.
The numbers underline just how far ahead he is of his peers. The 31‑year‑old’s 19 assists are almost double the next best figure, with Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen each sitting on ten. The disparity widens further when we look at chances created: Fernandes has crafted 114 opportunities, dwarfing Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Arsenal’s Declan Rice, who sit at 61 each. He also leads the league in Opta‑defined "big chances" with 28, a clear sign of his ability to generate high‑quality opportunities.
A significant portion of his assist haul comes from set‑pieces – ten of the nineteen have originated from free‑kicks or corners – compared with just two and three from Henry and De Bruyne’s record‑setting seasons. Yet Fernandes is not merely a dead‑ball specialist. He tops the open‑play creation chart as well, proving his versatility as a creator in every phase of the game.
Assists can be a product of a teammate’s finishing, so it is worth noting that Fernandes also leads in expected assists (xA), a metric that measures the quality of chances a player creates regardless of whether they are converted. Since his Premier League debut, no other player has posted a higher xA, highlighting the genuine threat he poses each time he delivers the ball. Liverpool fans will recall his decisive contribution at Anfield in October, when a perfectly curled cross from a second‑phase corner found Harry Maguire’s head for the winning goal.
Replicating that type of moment this weekend would see him tie a record that has stood for 23 years and bolster his case for the league’s Player of the Year award. The column also turns to Arne Slot’s right‑back dilemma. Curtis Jones, still a midfielder by trade, has been thrust into the role at Liverpool after injuries forced the club to rotate.
He became the sixth Liverpool player to start at right‑back this season, joining the likes of Connor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo. Slot praised Jones, saying, "He has hardly played in that position in his career, but the way he does it is a big compliment." While Jones still has much to learn, his comfort on the ball and willingness to step into central areas have added a new dimension to Liverpool’s build‑up play. His through‑ball assist for Andrew Robertson’s goal against Crystal Palace demonstrated his vision; the pass originated from midfield after a swift counter‑attack and was one of 149 passes across the two games, the highest total for any Liverpool player. Virgil van Dijk noted, "Curtis was outstanding against Everton, especially in possession – he was a real game‑changer." The need for a reliable right‑back persists, and Liverpool may continue to rely on Jones’s adaptability if the injury list remains long.
Further fixtures worth watching include Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, who has netted three times in his last four outings and will face Crystal Palace on Sunday – a performance likely to raise his profile ahead of the summer transfer window. Saturday’s Sky Sports coverage will feature Arsenal versus Fulham in the “Saturday Night Football” slot, kicking off at 5:30 pm.
Earlier, Bournemouth meet Crystal Palace at 2 pm on Sky Sports+, before the marquee Super Sunday clash between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, scheduled for 3:30 pm. On Monday, Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest for a 3 pm kickoff, followed by Everton’s 8 pm showdown with Manchester City, with pre‑match analysis beginning at 6:30 pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Finally, a quick look ahead for Arsenal: after last week’s column examined their title hopes against Manchester City, a fresh injury to Kai Havertz adds another hurdle to their campaign. The team will need to rely on depth and tactical flexibility if they hope to keep the title race alive. For those looking to add a bit of extra excitement, Sky Sports’ Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000 – entry is free, so give it a try!