The 14 Best Playmakers in Premier League History

From lung-busting box-to-box creators to cold-eyed deep-lying passers, this is three decades of English football's finest architects — icons who defined an era against cult heroes who ran games for a season. Who pulled the strings best? Cast your vote!

1

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City's relentless creator whose 2019-20 season equalled the Premier League's single-season assist record.

1000pts

2

Frank Lampard

Chelsea's goal-scoring midfielder and the Premier League's highest-scoring midfielder of all time.

584pts

3

Dennis Bergkamp

Arsenal's sublime playmaker whose touch and vision defined the Invincibles.

524pts

4

Juan Mata

Two-time Chelsea Player of the Year prized for his creativity in tight spaces.

524pts

5

Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal and Chelsea schemer who twice topped the Premier League assist charts.

454pts

6

David Silva

Manchester City's silky Spaniard who unlocked defences for a decade.

454pts

7

Mesut Ozil

Arsenal's languid No. 10 who matched the single-season assist record in 2015-16.

454pts

8

Gianfranco Zola

Chelsea's diminutive magician, voted the club's greatest ever player.

454pts

9

Steven Gerrard

Liverpool's driving midfielder who created and scored in equal measure.

372pts

10

Eric Cantona

Manchester United's talismanic playmaker who inspired four titles in five years.

371pts

11

David Beckham

Manchester United's crossing and free-kick maestro on the right flank.

272pts

12

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United's talismanic creator and penalty-box threat since 2020.

151pts

13

Paul Scholes

Manchester United's deep-lying orchestrator, revered for his passing range across two decades.

151pts

14

Christian Eriksen

Tottenham's set-piece specialist and chance-creating hub for half a decade.

151pts