Kevin De Bruyne warned Thierry Henry he’d break his assist record a long time ago

Premier League assist record: Kevin De Bruyne vs Thierry Henry

Unless something goes haywire, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is set to break a long-standing Premier League assist record this year.

Back in the 2002-03 season, Thierry Henry claimed 20 assists in one campaign for Arsenal. That’s never been done since.

However, with seven matches still to play, De Bruyne has 16 assists this season.

 

Kevin De Bruyne warned Thierry Henry he’d break his assist record a long time ago

In the Times on Thursday, reporter Paul Hirst has revealed when Kevin De Bruyne first told Thierry Henry that he’d break his Premier League assist record:

It is understood that he told Henry last September at Vincent Kompany’s testimonial that he would break the Frenchman’s record.

“Just watch Thierry, I’ll come after you,” De Bruyne is thought to have told Henry with a smile after the game at the Etihad Stadium.

What’s clear from this anecdote, is that KDB has the bit between his teeth when it comes to reaching this personal assist milestone.

Thierry Henry has held the record for the most assists in one season since 2002-03, when he set up 20 goals – but Kevin De Bruyne is out to break it, @hirstclass reports https://t.co/GxqzUJoXVB

— Times Sport (@TimesSport) July 2, 2020

De Bruyne upset that two Arsenal assists have been chalked off

As mentioned above, according to the official Premier League statistics, De Bruyne has 16 assists this season.

However, the Belgian believes he should actually be on 18 assists already.

In fact, De Bruyne has even trolled the official Premier League Twitter account about his assist-count in recent weeks.

9 plus 18 is 27

— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev) June 17, 2020

18

— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev) June 18, 2020

Earlier in the season, during an appearance on the Athletic’s Ornstein & Chapman podcast, De Bruyne vented about the Premier League failure to award him an assist during a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in December.

On that occasion, a De Bruyne cross was deflected into the path of Raheem Sterling, who scored. KDB didn’t get the assist.

This is looking like it’s going to be a very uncomfortable afternoon for @Arsenal

Raheem Sterling taps in City’s second…

Watch LIVE on Sky Sports Premier League NOW!
Follow #ARSMCI here: https://t.co/5I7iw8kHse
Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/Kr8538xsWk

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2019

Speaking on the podcast, De Bruyne said: “To be honest, I feel like I’m on 17 – I know they took one away from me at Arsenal. I don’t know why they did it, I still don’t understand it.”

“I’m coming for you this year!”@DeBruyneKev talks exclusively to @David_Ornstein and @markchapman about chasing down @ThierryHenry‘s Premier League assist record… #MCFC

️ &
Listen now: https://t.co/WxqSE6FTX7 pic.twitter.com/plAE9Snz0G

— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) April 28, 2020

Man City recently beat Arsenal 3-0 again, and again KDB failed to register an assist after another deflected cross was converted by Sterling.

As confirmed in today’s Times, “De Bruyne feels that he has been wrongly denied two assists by the Premier League this season, both of them against Arsenal.”

It’s a nightmare return for David Luiz!

Arsenal’s centre-back misjudges the bounce of the ball and Raheem Sterling smashes it in!

Watch on Sky Sports PL
Follow #MCIARS here: https://t.co/WTsAxJV778
Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/iDsCtnbddF

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 17, 2020

 

Why wasn’t KDB awarded these assists vs Arsenal?

It’s worth pointing out why the Premier League have taken these two assists away from De Bruyne’s tally.

The Premier League’s rules on awarding assists reads as follows:

An assist can be awarded for a pass or cross, even if an opponent gets a touch before the goal is scored.

However, that touch must not significantly alter the intended destination of the ball.

 

Also see: Sheffield United vs Tottenham Hotspur live streaming & betting tips.

Manchester City vs Liverpool FC live streaming & betting tips.

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