Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a blend of data and opinion to shed light on need-to-know stories from up and down the Premier League. This week:
đ´ Fernandes on assists mission
đ¤ Has Slot found a right-back solution?
đ A player to watch this weekend
Fernandes chasing De Bruyne, Henry
Bruno Fernandes put himself on the brink of a Premier League record when he produced the assist for Benjamin Seskoâs breakaway goal in Manchester Unitedâs 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday.
He faces Liverpool on Super Sunday needing only one more to go level with Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City in 2019/20 and Thierry Henry for Arsenal in 2002/03. With four games of the campaign still to play, he is well placed to beat their totals.
Fernandes has been a creative force in the Premier League since his arrival at Old Trafford from Sporting in January 2020 but his current haul of 19 assists is by far his highest in a single season.
Carry on at the same rate across Manchester Unitedâs remaining games of the campaign, with Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton to come after Liverpool, and he will finish on 22.
The numbers reveal a gulf between Fernandes and the rest in this seasonâs Premier League. The 31-year-oldâs total of 19 assists is nearly twice as high as anyone elseâs, with Manchester Cityâs Rayan Cherki and West Hamâs Jarrod Bowen next on 10.
The gap is similarly wide for chances created, with Fernandes on 114, way ahead of the next players on the list, in Liverpoolâs Dominik Szoboszlai and Arsenalâs Declan Rice, on 61. He is well clear at the top for Opta-defined big chances created too, on 28.
His set-piece delivery has been a significant contributor to his success this season. Ten of his 19 assists have come from free-kicks and corners compared to only two and three of Henry and De Bruyneâs record totals respectively.
But it is worth noting that, in the context of this season in the Premier League, Fernandes ranks comfortably top for open-play chances created too, reflecting his completeness as a creator.
Bruno Fernandesâs 19 assists have come a variety of positions
Assists are of course dependent on the ability of a team-mate to finish but Fernandes also comes out top for expected assists, which gives a truer reflection of the quality of chances created. In fact, he has the highest xA of any player since his Premier League debut.
Liverpool need no reminding of what he can do. It was his brilliant volleyed cross, using the instep of his right boot during the second phase of a corner, that allowed Harry Maguire to head in the winning goal when the two sides met at Anfield in October.
Another contribution of that type on Sunday would equal a record that has stood for 23 years, and strengthen his claim to be considered this seasonâs Premier Leagueâs Player of the Year.
Jones impressing at right-back
Curtis Jones might not be a long-term solution to Liverpoolâs right-back problem but he will hope to keep his place there at Old Trafford having impressed against Crystal Palace and Everton.
The 25-year-old became the sixth Liverpool player to start in the role in the Premier League this season after Connor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo when he was thrown in at Goodison Park. He has embraced the challenge.
Curtis Jones in action against Crystal Palace
âHe has hardly played in that position in his career,â said head coach Arne Slot. âThe way he does it is a big compliment.â
Jones has plenty to learn in the position as a natural midfielder but he has certainly added value in possession.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was of course unique in terms of his creativity from right-back but Jones is similarly comfortable with the ball at his feet and showed the quality of his passing with the through-ball assist for Andrew Robertsonâs goal against Palace.
Curtis Jones played at right-back in Liverpoolâs last two games
That pass came from a midfield position following a counter-attack and was one of 149 across the two games, the most by any Liverpool player. His composure under pressure, and ability to step into central zones, has helped smooth out the sideâs issues in build-up.
Virgil van Dijk has certainly noticed the difference. âCurtis I thought was outstanding against Everton,â he said this week. âEspecially in possession, he was quite a big game-changer.â
They might need more of the same at Old Trafford.
Player Radar: Who else to keep an eye on
Bournemouthâs Junior Kroupi faces Crystal Palace in the earlier game on Sunday having scored three goals in his last four games. He is sure to be in-demand this summer.
Live Radar: Whatâs on Sky this weekend?
Arsenal and Fulham go head to head in the Saturday Night Football game, with coverage starting on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 5pm ahead of the 5.30pm kick-off.
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace meet at 2pm on Sky Sports+ before the big one on Super Sunday as Man Utd and Liverpool meet at Old Trafford, kicking off at the earlier time of 3.30pm.
On Monday, Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest at 3pm. Everton then meet Man City for the 8pm kick-off, with coverage starting a 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Read last weekâs Radar column
Do Arsenal have any reasons for optimism in an attacking shootout with Manchester City for the title? Last weekâs column had a look before yet another injury to Kai Havertz made their task harder.
