The 8 England players with most assists under Gareth Southgate: Sterling, Kane...

Gareth Southgate has done a fine job as England manager since taking over in 2016 - but which players have got the most assists during his reign?

Southgate took over following Sam Allardyce’s doomed, one-game reign and has since achieved things few thought possible at the time.

First, Southgate led England to the last four of the 2018 World Cup. Then, three years later, he took them to the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966.

They were not able to win that final - Italy taking the Euro 2020 crown at Wembley - but the frustration at losing a final was testament to how far England have come under his watch. Just think, a few months before he took charge, they’d lost to Iceland at Euro 2016.

Yet while a number of players have excelled under Southgate, only eight have managed six or more assists.

Here, we take a look at each of those players and how many assists they’ve contributed over the past six years.

Where players have the same number of assists, we’ve ranked the player who has achieved the numbers in fewer games higher.

8. Marcus Rashford - 6

Rashford has not had the best time of it in the past year and a bit. He missed one of the penalties in the shootout against Italy in the Euro 2020 final and had a very disappointing season with Manchester United in 2021-22.

But in 2022-23, he has come back in style with three goals and two assists in six Premier League games at the time of writing.

He would surely have made the England squad for the September Nations League games against Italy and Germany had it not been for an untimely injury.

Should he maintain that form until November, it’s likely that Southgate will give him the chance to add to his 43 caps and six assists in Qatar. 

7. Jack Grealish - 6

Like Rashford, Grealish had a worse-than-expected 2021-22 season, struggling at Manchester City after his £105m move. 

But he’s still one of the most fun to watch and creative talents in the Premier League at his best and is in the squad for the Italy and Germany ties.

Six assists in 23 caps under Southgate is a decent return.

6. Phil Foden - 6

The Stockport Iniesta Phil Foden is one of the many attacking talents who, at times, keep Grealish on the City bench - and for good reason.

Foden is a beautiful player to watch, with subtle, elegant movement and a terrific eye for a pass. His six assists have come in sixteen caps so far, and there will surely be more to come.

5. Luke Shaw - 6

It’s perhaps surprising that Shaw has won fewer caps that Foden under Southgate, but he has, with 15.

The fact he’s maanged six assists and two goals in those games from left wing-back is highly impressive.

4. Jordan Henderson - 7

One of the absolute stalwarts of the Southgate tenure, Jordan Henderson has dropped out of the reckoning a bit in recent months but will go down as a fine servant for the Three Lions. 

He has won 40 of his 69 caps under the current England boss - getting seven assists in that time - and will likely be part of the squad for Qatar, even if he does not start, owing to his leadership qualities and valuable experience.

3. Jadon Sancho - 7

Another of England’s exciting attacking talents, and another who went off the boil in 2021-22.

Even with Rashford unfit, Sancho was not included in England’s September squad, so it now seems unlikely that he will make it to Qatar, which is a shame given how talented he is. At 22, there’s still plenty of time for him to add to his seven Engladn assists, though.

2. Harry Kane - 15

Now we’re into the big leagues. Harry Kane has notched a quite incredible 45 England goals in 56 apperances under Southgate as well as 15 assists. That’s a goal contribution rate of more than one a game.

We’d back him to continue that form at the 2022 World Cup.

1. Raheem Sterling - 16

While Sterling has ad an up-and-down time at club level over the last few years, nobody can ever question his contribution for England. 

He sits clear atop this list with 16 assists in 50 caps under Southgate - and he’s managed 17 goals in that time as well.

A proper England hero.