Pass master Henderson set to break long-standing Premier League record
- Michael Graham
- 11 December 2021
As the Liverpool man closes in on Gareth Barry's mark of 20,616 top-flight passes, we take a look at the Reds captain's stats and assess his closest rivals.
It's getting increasingly difficult to break Premier League records these days, but Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is about to do just that.
To celebrate, Planet Sport looks at the most prolific passers in the Premier League today, and there are definitely one or two surprises.
Eric Dier - 12,085
With his career having stagnated a little in the last couple of years, the Tottenham man is one of those getting a new lease of life under Antonio Conte.
There have been few more prolific and consistent passers of the ball in the Premier League in recent years than the England international, though.
Ashley Westwood - 12,433
He is in his eighth consecutive season in the top division, and Aston Villa and Burnley fans will all tell you he is man who can be trusted in possession.
Nemanja Matic - 13,855
Matic is another player currently playing his eighth consecutive season of Premier League soccer.
The Serbian has been a key figure for both Chelsea and Manchester United, so it will come as little surprise to see him feature on this list.
It's fair to say that his influence has diminished a little in recent years, and at 33 years old he is coming to the end of his career. He has certainly proven his worth over the years, though.
Jonny Evans - 15,585
Although the Leicester defender is comfortable on the ball, I'm not sure anyone would necessarily expect him to be spraying passes around all day from the back.
Fernandinho - 15,941
Playing in a Pep Guardiola side will always do wonders for your passing statistics, but at an average of more than 60 passes per match, his consistency is far from reliant on the Spaniard.
James Milner - 17,295
James Milner has been playing in the Premier League for so long now that it's hard to believe he is only 35.
However, considering he broke into the Leeds team when he was just 16, that means he has been playing Premier League soccer for nearly two decades now.
Milner has never been the most exciting or glamorous of players (as is illustrated by the Boring James Milner Twitter parody), but with close to 600 top-flight appearances and three Premier League winners' medals to his name, he is a very hard player not to admire. He owes his spot on this list to that longevity, but that doesn't make him any less worthy.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 17,979
There are times when it feels like Azpilicueta has been around almost as long as Milner given how big a fixture he has become in the Chelsea team.
Mark Noble - 18,255
The West Ham man has seen his on-pitch influence at the club dwindle over the last 18 months or so with Declan Rice emerging to succeed - and surpass - him.
Kyle Walker - 18,263
At one point in his career, Kyle Walker was consider more athlete than soccer player. He has long since debunked those theories, though.
Walker is another whose passing statistics have benefited from playing in a Guardiola team, but that only tells part of the story.
While it's not a shock to see him on the list, seeing him so high is something of a surprise but that just highlights how complete a player the Manchester City and England man has become.
Jordan Henderson - 20,570
Barring injury or suspension, some time in December, Jordan Henderson will surpass Gareth Barry to become the most prolific passer in Premier League history.
While he has not always been universally appreciated by fans, it's a remarkable achievement, especially given the fact he will hit the front at just 31 years old.
It would also be wrong to dismiss the Liverpool captain as just a sideways and backwards passer, too. With 52 assists to his name, he is also among the top 40 goal providers in Premier League history.
*Statistics from premierleague.com and accurate as of December 10, 2021.
