The Premier League’s best creators have watched on for decades as the goal-grabbers have claimed individual awards, with the Golden Boot accolade running for almost as long as the sport itself.
Belatedly, the Playmaker of the Season award was introduced in the Premier League from the 2017/18 campaign, an award handed to the player with the most assists in England’s top flight.
Last season, Ollie Watkins won the award after creating 13 goals for Aston Villa, joining names including Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah as past winners of the prestigious accolade.
We’ve decided to look at the frontrunners to take the award in 2024/25. Using odds from Unibet, we’ve ranked the favourites for the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award.
The Premier League Playmaker of the Season favourites
Son Heung-min – Tottenham (14/1)
Son Heung-min is fifth-favourite to take home the prize and has started the season in good form for Spurs, with two goals and assists in five league appearances.
The South Korean is a maker and taker of chances and has reached 10 assists in the Premier League on three occasions, including last season.
Ange Postecoglou spent £65m to bring Dominic Solanke to North London in the summer and the presence of an out-and-out centre-forward could aid Son’s pursuit of the award. He will hope to rekindle some of the chemistry he had with former favourite Harry Kane.
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal (7/1)
Bukayo Saka has fast evolved into one of Europe’s most effective wide players at Arsenal and has started the season in spectacular form. The early leader in the assist standings, he has created a goal in each of Arsenal’s five Premier League fixtures so far this season.
At his current trajectory, he’ll blitz the single-season record of 20, jointly-held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
The most assists in the Premier League so far this season.
Bukayo Saka leads the way… 🔝 pic.twitter.com/6laoJohcrq
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) September 27, 2024
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (6/1)
Mohamed Salah will have his sights set on a second Playmaker Award this season, with the Egyptian having developed his game in recent seasons. Salah has long been an elite goalscorer but he has added world-class creative numbers to his résumé.
The 32-year-old has reached 10+ assists in each of the last four Premier League campaigns and has four in five games in 2024/25 to date.
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City (5/1)
Kevin De Bruyne has dominated the Premier League’s Playmaker Award, scooping the prize in three of the previous seven additions.
De Bruyne shares the single-season record for assists (20) and the presence of Erling Haaland in the Manchester City side certainly helps his chances of adding a fourth Playmaker accolade this season.
The Belgium international is now up to second overall for assists in Premier League history (113), behind only Ryan Giggs (162).
Cole Palmer – Chelsea (4/1)
Cole Palmer is the favourite for the Playmaker Award with the Chelsea forward having announced his arrival as one of the division’s best attacking talents.
The 22-year-old led the league for goal involvements last season (33), after finishing second for goals (22) and assists (11) in 2023/24. He’s started the season in similar vein and has four assists for the campaign already.
PALMER AGAIN. ⭐️#CFC | #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/tn60ARJlA1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 21, 2024
He might have to make room in the trophy cabinet for a potential Playmaker Award, after collecting Chelsea’s Player of the Season, the PFA Fans’ Player of the Season and PFA Young Player of the Season awards last season.
