5 players with goal involvements in the most number of consecutive Premier League appearances
Over the years, several iconic stars have graced the pitches of the Premier League. From prolific goalscorers to midfield magicians, fans have witnessed some incredible players. These players have provided fans with some of the most exhilarating football the English top-flight has to offer.
Maintaining a good run of form in the Premier League is a huge ask
Staying consistent in the Premier League is no mean feat given its highly competitive and unpredictable nature. However, a few superstars have managed to find a way to get involved in the goals regularly.
One of them is Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. He is having a phenomenal season in which he has been involved in most of Liverpool's goals, scoring 20 and assisting 10.
On that note, let’s take a look at the five players with goal involvements in the most number of consecutive appearances in the Premier League.
#5 Mesut Ozil: 11
Midfield maestro Mesut Ozil is one of the most technically gifted players to have played in the Premier League. Few could rival the German’s ball control and eye for a pass that was perfectly weighted.
Ozil signed for Arsenal in the 2013-14 season after a splendid career at Real Madrid. The German was an assist machine and had 10 in his first Premier League season. Ozil was particularly impressive in the 2015-16 season, in which he scored six goals and provided 19 assists.
From 2010/11 to 2017/18, Mesut Özil averaged at least three chances created per 90 minutes in all eight league seasons.
In 2018/19 and 2019/20, it has fallen to 2.3. 😞 https://t.co/th2AgfYemC
The German went on a run of 11 consecutive league matches with a goal or an assist. Sadly for the Gunners faithful, a lack of threat up front meant that he could not add to his assist tally. He couldn't break the record set by Thierry Henry for the most assists in the league (20). They ended up in second place behind Leicester City that season.
The 33-year-old was infamously sidelined following a media controversy and joined Fenerbache in January 2021.
#4 Andrew Cole: 11
Andrew Cole has had an illustrious Premier League career that has spanned nearly a decade and a half. The Englishman began his journey at Arsenal’s youth team but made just one appearance for the Gunners. He also had short stints at Fulham and Bristol City.
However, Cole’s fortunes changed when he signed for Newcastle United in the 1993-94 season. Cole had a phenomenal debut season with the Magpies and was a standout performer.
Like Ozil, Cole went on a run of 11 consecutive games with a goal or an assist. He also ended the campaign as the top scorer with 34 goals. He also led the assists charts with 13 assists.
After two seasons with Newcastle, Cole signed for Manchester United. He tasted tremendous success with the Red Devils, winning five league titles, two FA Cups, and one Champions League.
#3 Stan Collymore: 12
Stan Collymore had a rough start to his footballing career. The Englishman was part of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ youth team but was released shortly after. He then joined Conference side Stafford Rangers where he made a name for himself and was signed by Crystal Palace in 1991.
However, Collymore finally had his breakthrough with Nottingham Forest. He helped Forest return to the Premier League and scored 22 goals in the 1994-95 season. He ensured his side finished third and booked a place in the Champions League.
Collymore has had goal contributions in 12 consecutive Premier League appearances. 11 of these were for Nottingham Forest. The centre-forward signed for Liverpool at the start of the 1995-96 season and scored a goal on his debut. The Englishman later had stints with Aston Villa, Fulham, Leicester, and Bradford City before retiring with Spanish outfit Real Oviedo in 2001.
#2 Mohamed Salah: 15
Mohamed Salah has been the standout performer in the Premier League this season. The Egyptian has carried Liverpool’s goalscoring burden and has his eyes set on his third Golden Boot award. Salah began the season fabulously and went on a streak of 15 consecutive games with a goal or an assist.
His fabulous run came to an end in December when he failed to make much of an impact in the Reds’ 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. He leads the goalscoring charts this season in the leauge and is just one assist shy of teammate Alexander-Arnold.
Jamie Carragher:
“I think the season Mo Salah is having, and the numbers he's got compared to anyone else in the Premier League, which is the best league in the world right now, just shows how far ahead of everybody else in the Premier League he is." #awlive [liverpool echo] https://t.co/NxUYWdPOaD
Even with phenomenal players in their squad, Liverpool’s campaign would have a completely different complexion without Salah. The Egyptian has contributed nearly half of the goals the Reds have scored.
Liverpool are currently second in the league, just three points behind leaders Manchester City. They are certainly putting pressure on City for the league title.
#1 Jamie Vardy: 15
It is often said that Jamie Vardy’s footballing journey has been a fairy tale, and rightly so. The Englishman was playing in the seventh tier of English football and few would have imagined he would be lifting the Premier League trophy one day. Vardy signed for Leicester City in 2012 and earned his team promotion with 16 crucial goals.
The 2015-16 season was the story of a true underdog. Leicester were playing out of their skin and Vardy was particularly in top form. He went on a run of 15 consecutive games with a goal or an assist. In a peculiar coincidence, both Salah and Vardy’s run ended on the same date: the 19th of December.
Vardy ended the season with 24 goals, level with Sergio Aguero and one shy of Harry Kane. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Season as Leicester went on to lift their maiden league title in glorious fashion.