Since its inception in 1992, the top flight of English football, the Premier League, has seen its fair share of talented forwards. Some have been exceptional goalscorers, capable of hitting the back of the net on cue. There have also been gifted creators, possessing the ability to set up goalscoring opportunities on a silver platter. Then, there have been a handful who can do both with ease — take their chances in the final third and unselfishly square the ball off to teammates in a better position.
As the year winds down, we will pay homage to some of the most complete forwards the Premier League has ever seen. Continue reading to discover the top five players who have recorded the most goal involvements across a calendar year in Premier League history.
Data: Opta
#5 Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers): 44 Goal Contributions
Kicking off the list is the all-time leading scorer in Premier League history, the 260-goal man, Alan Shearer. The Englishman, who had a penchant for scoring as well as lending a helping hand, enjoyed his most productive year in 1995, as he recorded 44 goal contributions for Blackburn Rovers. Shearer found the back of the net 36 times and provided eight assists in 44 games throughout the year.
Shearer scored 34 times and provided 42 assists in the 1994-95 Premier League season, winning the Golden Boot and his only Premier League title. The following year, Rovers lost the championship to Manchester United, but Shearer defended his Golden Boot by scoring 31 goals.
#4 Matt Le Tissier (Southampton): 44 Goal Contributions
Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier is in fourth place, having contributed to 44 league goals in 1994. Le Tissier was both ruthless in front of goal and sublime in the creative department, with him notching 27 goals and bagging 17 assists in 40 Premier League games in 1994.
Le Tissier, who operated as a second striker, finished the 1993-94 season with a stunning 25 goals and nine assists in 38 appearances. Unfortunately, his teammate could not match his performances and Southampton could only manage an 18th-place finish in the top flight.
#3 Robin van Persie (Arsenal): 44 Goal Contributions
Robin van Persie may not have won the Premier League title with Arsenal, but he undoubtedly enjoyed his best footballing years in North London. Van Persie, who won the 2012-13 Premier League championship with Manchester United, enjoyed a remarkable 2011, directly contributing to 44 goals. The Dutchman scored 35 goals and provided nine assists in 36 appearances in the English top flight that year.
Scoring 30 goals, Van Persie managed to snag the Golden Boot in 2011-12. However, despite Van Persie’s best efforts, Arsenal only managed to finish in third place in the Premier League rankings.
#2 Thierry Henry (Arsenal): 44 Goal Contributions
Arguably the greatest import in Premier League history, Thierry Henry recorded 44 goal contributions not once but twice during his record-breaking run in England. In 2003, the French superstar scored 25 goals and provided 19 assists in 35 Premier League games for Arsenal. The following year, Henry popped up with 34 goals and 10 assists in 39 league outings.
Henry’s finest performance of the stretch came against Leeds United at home. The 1998 FIFA World Cup winner scored four goals as the Gunners came away with a 5-0 victory on Matchday 34 of the 2003-04 season. Henry won the Golden Boot both in 2003-04 (30 goals), helping Arsenal become the only team in history to win the title without losing a single game. The North Londoners could not defend their title in 2004-05 but Henry retained his Golden Boot by scoring 25 times.
#1 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur): 46 Goal Contributions
Tottenham Hotspur legend Harry Kane enjoyed an explosive 2017, contributing to a record 46 league goals over the calendar year. The England captain scored 39 goals and claimed seven assists in 36 Premier League outings.
Kane scored six Premier League hat-tricks in 2017. His finest performance came away at Leicester City in May 2017, with him finding the back of the net four times to propel Spurs to an emphatic 6-1 victory. Scoring 29 goals in 30 Premier League matches, Kane won the Premier League Golden Boot at the end of the 2016-17 season.
