2026/27 Premier League Playmaker Award Standings: Rice Leads the Pack
Declan Rice tops the assist chart in the Premier League as the season heats up, with notable performances from other contenders.
Rice's Impressive Start
In the ongoing 2026/27 Premier League season, Declan Rice has established himself as a frontrunner for the prestigious Playmaker award. His recent assist in Arsenal's nail-biting 1-0 victory against Liverpool was pivotal, marking his fifth assist of the season.
Chasing the Leader
Hot on Rice's heels are a trio of players tied for second place with four assists each: Evanilson from AFC Bournemouth, Brighton's Pascal Gross, and John McGinn of Aston Villa. McGinn recently assisted Alysson in a remarkable first-minute goal during Villa's thrilling 4-4 draw against Manchester United, further solidifying his position among the assist leaders.
Evanilson's improvement this season is noteworthy, having previously recorded just one assist in the last campaign. This year, he already boasts a total of nine goal involvements, which includes five goals and four assists. His chemistry with teammate Marcus Tavernier has been particularly effective, with three assists credited to this dynamic duo, marking them as one of the league's most effective partnerships.
A Closer Look at Chance Creation
Pascal Gross has been a key player for Brighton, leading the league in chance creation with an impressive tally of 29 key passes. This includes six assists from set-piece situations, showcasing his skill and strategic vision on the field. Following closely are Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, each generating 24 chances for their teammates.
Additionally, Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, who is also among the top assist providers, demonstrated his capability by creating nine chances during a single match against Brentford in Matchweek 7. This incredible feat set a new record for the most chances generated in an away match since Samir Nasri achieved 10 during a game in August 2011.
Rising Stars in Assists
So far this season, 14 players have successfully recorded three assists in the opening matches. Prominent among them are Aston Villa's McGinn, Nottingham Forest's Gibbs-White, and Liverpool's Bradley Barcola, who also contributed to the assist leaderboard in Matchweek 10.
As the Premier League season progresses, these players will likely continue to make headlines with their creative play and assist tallies. The competition for the Playmaker award remains tight, promising an exciting race for the coveted title.