Kevin De Bruyne reveals his message to Thierry Henry as he closes in on assist record
Kevin De Bruyne has warned Thierry Henry that he is ready to break his 17-year-old Premier League assist record when the season resumes.
The Manchester City playmaker is just four behind Henry’s incredible total of 20 in a season, which he achieved during the 2002-03 campaign.
And De Bruyne has revealed that he has told the Arsenal legend that his record is in his sights, providing the season is finished as planned.
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has provided 16 assists for his team-mates this season
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry holds the record for assists in a Premier League season with 20
The Belgium star has racked up 16 assists in the top-flight this term after his cross to set up Raheem Sterling against Arsenal was chalked off due to a deflection.
‘To be honest, I feel like I’m on 17 – I know they took one away from me at Arsenal,’ De Bruyne joked on The Athletic’s Ornstein & Chapman podcast.
‘I don’t know why they did it, I still don’t understand it.
‘I always joked with Henry in the national team, even at Vincent Kompany’s testimonial this year. I saw him and said “I’m coming for you this year”.
‘To have 16 assists is really nice and speaks really well for a creative player. But if it doesn’t happen we still go on.
‘When you get something it fills you with pride because I had it in Germany and it’s nice to see you broke some records.’
De Bruyne, pictured with Henry in Belgium training in 2018, says he’s ‘coming for’ the record
The midfielder, pictured celebrating against West Ham, has been in superb form for City
De Bruyne has emerged as one of the leading contenders to win the PFA Player of the Year award this season, although it is not yet known when the postponed ceremony will take place.
‘Two years ago I could have won it but I understand why Mo Salah won it also,’ he added.
‘Maybe this year is a chance for me to win, I don’t know. I think I’ve got a nice chance but there are some other players who have had great seasons.
‘I’m not really occupied about why or why not. Everyone has a different view. That’s the nice thing about football, nobody thinks the same way and there are different playing styles and views.’
