Who were the EFL’s top assist makers in 2022/23?

How may we assist you? After the 2022/23 season drew to a close, we look back at the top assist makers from the Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two.

Here are all the players who hit double figures across the three divisions…

Sky Bet Championship

Viktor Gyökeres (Coventry City)

12 assists 

With 21 goals and 12 assists to his name, Viktor Gyökeres fired Coventry City into the Play-Offs. The Swede might have missed out on the Golden Boot to Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom, but Gyökeres topped the overall goal contribution charts as the Sky Blues reached Wembley. 

Jack Clarke (Sunderland AFC)

12 assists 

Exciting winger Jack Clarke made his loan move from Tottenham Hotspur to Sunderland a permanent deal last summer after helping the Black Cats win promotion back to the Championship. The 22-year-old, who was tied with Gyökeres on 12 assists, also scored nine goals to contribute to the Club’s top-six finish.

Ryan Giles (Middlesbrough)

11 assists

Middlesbrough became Ryan Giles’ seventh different temporary team after he linked up with Boro on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan. Giles registered 11 assists for Michael Carrick’s side in the league, forging a formidable partnership with the division’s leading marksman Akpom.

Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United)

10 assists

A place in the Team of the Season and a seat on the plane for the World Cup capped off an impressive term for Iliman Ndiaye as Sheffield United achieved automatic promotion back to the top flight. The Senegal international hit double figures in both columns, netting 14 times and racking up 10 assists for the Blades.

Gustavo Hamer (Coventry City)

10 assists

Gustavo Hamer enjoyed his best season in a Coventry shirt since joining the West Midlands team. The midfielder clocked 11 goals and 10 assists as Mark Robins’ side turned their fortunes around to make the Play-Offs, with Hamer netting the winning goal to book their place in the Final before finding the back of the net under the arch.

Ryan Manning (Swansea City)

10 assists

Managing 10 assists and five goals over the course of the campaign, Ryan Manning was often pulling the strings for Swansea City. The Irishman is set to become a free agent after it was announced that he would depart the Welsh Club at the end of the season upon expiry of his contract.

Sky Bet League One

Leif Davis (Ipswich Town)

14 assists

Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis set up the most goals of any player in the division from left-back – registering 14 assists – as the Tractor Boys placed second in the standings to bounce back to the Championship. It was the 23-year-old’s first season in League One after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal from Leeds United.

Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday)

13 assists

No player across the whole of the EFL created more chances than Sheffield Wednesday skipper Barry Bannan, who claimed 13 goals and seven assists for the side that recorded the highest-ever points tally of a team to finish in third place. The season culminated in promotion in the Play-Off Final as the Scot lifted the trophy at Wembley as Owls skipper.

Aaron Collins (Bristol Rovers)

11 assists

Having helped Bristol Rovers win promotion from Sky Bet League Two in 2021/22, Aaron Collins made the step up look easy, being named the League One Player of the Year at the annual EFL Awards. The striker, who played in all 46 games, finished as the Gas’ leading marksman for the second consecutive season with 16 goals and 11 assists.

Wes Burns (Ipswich Town)

11 assists

A player who has flourished under boss Kieran McKenna following his appointment in December 2021, last campaign’s top scorer Wes Burns notched eight goals and 11 assists as Ipswich Town ended the season on a high, extending their unbeaten streak to 19 games as they sealed automatic promotion.

Conor Hourihane (Derby County)

10 assists

The arrival of Conor Hourihane in the summer signalled a marquee signing for League One newcomers Derby County. The Rams midfielder, who made the switch from Premier League outfit Aston Villa, was awarded a place in the division’s Team of the Season, courtesy of his seven goals and 10 assists.

Sky Bet League Two

Owen Moxon (Carlisle United)

16 assists

Only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne had more assists than Owen Moxon in the whole of English football this season, with the latter registering six goals and 16 assists. The Cumbrian midfielder, who returned to his boyhood Club in the summer from the Scottish League Two, won promotion at the first attempt in the Play-Off Final at Wembley.

Elliot Watt (Salford City)

16 assists

Level on 16 assists, Salford City’s Elliot Watt also joined Moxon in the divisional Team of the Season. The Preston-born midfielder’s creative spark was crucial to the Ammies’ promotion push, as Salford secured a Play-Off spot before being beaten in the Semi-Finals.

Ben Whitfield (Barrow)

12 assists

One of Barrow’s top performers, Bluebirds attacker Ben Whitfield tallied five goals and 12 assists. The 27-year-old made an immediate impression after joining from Stockport County at the beginning of the term, registering four assists and one goal in August as he was nominated for the League Two Player of the Month.

Remeao Hutton (Swindon Town)

12 assists

In his third season in League Two after making the move to the County Ground, Remeao Hutton’s 12-assist haul was an impressive feat for the full-back. Swindon Town posted a 10^th-place finish as the defender chipped in in the final third, boosting the Robins up the table.

Tom Nichols (Crawley Town/Gillingham)

10 assists

Striker Tom Nichols’ form caught the eye of Gillingham midway through the season as the 29-year-old left Crawley Town to sign for the Gills. With eight goals and 10 assists to his name, Nichols made his debut for Neil Harris’ side against Hartlepool United, grabbing a goal and assist.