Kevin De Bruyne says it's a 'proud moment' to reach 100 assists in the Premier League.
Manchester City kept the heat on leaders Arsenal on Saturday with a dominant 4-1 victory over relegation strugglers Southampton. Though he didn't get on the scoresheet, De Bruyne was exceptional as he pulled the strings throughout.
The brilliant Belgian set up the Blues' opener just before the break with a perfectly weighted cross that was effortlessly headed home by Erling Haaland. It took De Bruyne's assist tally in the top flight to 100 as he became the fifth player to ever reach the milestone.
Also read: City player ratings vs Southampton in 4-1 win
"I saw it before the game, a lot of people were talking about it online and it's something you can't really miss but I just try and create as much as possible and I think even today I could have had two or three more but that's what I try to do," he told Sky Sports after the match. "Create as much as possible and if they score I get the assist.
"Of course, [I'm proud] I think I'm known for my creativity and there are not many football players who've been there but it's half of the side is mine and half of the side is the others'. It's a proud moment."
Ryan Giggs holds the record with the most assists in the Premier League with 162 while Cesc Fabregas (111), Wayne Rooney (103) and Frank Lampard (102) fill out the top five. De Bruyne has already taken his own tally to 101 as he won a penalty that was converted by Julian Alvarez - and he would have had another if Jack Grealish had managed to convert his goal at the first attempt rather than with the rebound - so he is sure to move up the table very soon.
What makes De Bruyne's achievement even more impressive is that he is by far the quickest player to reach the 100 mark. He's made it there in 56 fewer games than the second-quickest Fabregas managed, but the City maestro isn't comparing himself to others.
"I don't compare. Cesc is an unbelievable football player," he added. "I don't compare myself to others. I just try to do the best that I can do. People will talk about quicker or how many and everything is different. You play different positions, you play different teams so it depends on that. I try to create as much as possible and we score a lot of goals so that helps.
"Erling scores a lot of goals. It's insane. He's there. If we create chances he will be there, it's a good combination. He knows what I want to do, I think I know what he wants to do. This year has been pretty good and for him I think it's amazing. I'm happy but important thing is to win."
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