Every great hero needs a reliable sidekick, and in the realm of football, lethal partnerships on the pitch can define a team’s success. In the Premier League’s 2023-24 season, we’ve witnessed the emergence of deadly duos, showcasing an almost telepathic connection that goes beyond creating chances – it’s all about scoring goals.
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Legends of the Past
Before diving into the present, let’s pay homage to iconic duos of the past. The likes of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard for Chelsea, Teddy Sheringham and Darren Anderton at Tottenham, and the dynamic duo of Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke at Manchester United. These partnerships weren’t just about individual brilliance; they were the catalysts for their teams’ glory.
The Departure: Premier League’s One of Deadliest Duos, Kane and Son
The summer transfer window marked the end of an era for Tottenham Hotspur as Harry Kane departed for Bayern Munich, leaving behind his prolific partnership with Son Heung-min. The Kane and Son duo had crafted a legacy, netting 47 goals together in the Premier League, a record dating back to 1992.
1. New Kids on the Block: Salah and Núñez’s Flourishing Connection
With the departure of one deadly duo, the football world witnessed the rise of a new partnership – Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez. These two Liverpool stars have been setting the Premier League on fire, with an evident chemistry that extends beyond conventional play.
In their recent clash against Brentford, Salah and Núñez displayed their synergy once again. Núñez’s assist to Salah marked their fifth for each other in the current season, highlighting a level of understanding that is unparalleled in the league.
Digging deeper into the numbers, Salah and Núñez have notched up a remarkable five assists, all exclusively for each other, setting a pace that no other duo has matched this season. What’s more impressive is their ability to create shooting opportunities, amassing a total of 19 chances for each other, the highest in the league.
Their telepathic connection isn’t just a short-term phenomenon. Looking at Núñez’s overall Premier League assists, all seven have been for Salah, a feat achieved only twice before in the competition’s history. This remarkable consistency suggests that Salah and Núñez might be on the brink of challenging single-season records if they can sustain this extraordinary partnership.
2. Unexpected Brilliance: Saka and Trossard’s Goal-Infused Partnership
Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, an Arsenal pairing that might not have been on everyone’s radar, but their collaboration has become a reliable source of goals.
While Leandro Trossard has only made three Premier League starts, accumulating a modest 302 minutes on the pitch, the impact he and Bukayo Saka have had is noteworthy. Despite the limited playing time, they’ve managed to create a connection that consistently leads to the back of the net.
Saka and Trossard have orchestrated a scoring symphony, combining for three goals in the current season, all credited to the Belgian forward. The first display of their synergy was an instinctive finish by Trossard from a Saka cut-back against Everton in September. A month later, Trossard found the net again, this time connecting with an in-swinging Saka cross in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
Their goal-scoring partnership continued against Burnley, with Saka’s header setting the stage for Trossard to open the scoring in a convincing 3-1 victory.
While the Saka-Trossard duo may not be the primary focus of Arsenal’s offensive strategy, their ability to convert limited opportunities into goals is impressive. They’ve created only four chances for each other, with Trossard contributing just one assist. It’s worth noting that Trossard’s status as a regular starter for the Gunners is uncertain.
In football, uncovering useful patterns and understanding teammates’ habits can be invaluable. Despite their limited collaboration, Trossard demonstrates a keen comprehension of Saka’s style of play. This recognition of each other’s movements and preferences adds an intangible yet essential layer to their partnership.
3. Dynamic Duo: Estupiñán and Mitoma Lighting Up Brighton’s Left Flank
Brighton’s left flank boasts an electrifying duo in Pervis Estupiñán and Kaoru Mitoma. Despite facing setbacks, their synergy has translated into three goals, making them a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.
Estupiñán and Mitoma epitomize Brighton’s left flank with their dynamic and attack-minded approach. This pairing brings not only defensive resilience but also a potent offensive threat to the Seagulls.
September witnessed the pinnacle of their collaboration as Estupiñán and Mitoma orchestrated two goals in Brighton’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth. Estupiñán’s pinpoint cross found Mitoma’s head for the first goal, followed by an intricate pass from the left that Mitoma skillfully converted into a bottom-right corner finish.
In August, their roles reversed against Wolves, showcasing the tactical versatility of this duo. Mitoma seized on a rebound, delivering a disguised pass back to Estupiñán, who made a marauding run from the left-back position, securing an easy finish.
The duo’s promising partnership faced a setback when Estupiñán suffered an injury in early October, disrupting their momentum. Despite this, their collaboration yielded a commendable frequency of linking up once every 63 minutes, indicating a blossoming understanding between them on the left flank.
Brighton’s manager, Roberto De Zerbi, expresses hope for Estupiñán’s swift return after his injury against Ajax on November 9. Mitoma, too, aims for a more fruitful spell after a less impactful October.
4. Dynamic Shift: Álvarez and Haaland’s Rise in the Absence of De Bruyne
Last season, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne formed the Premier League’s most formidable partnership, amassing 10 goals together. However, when De Bruyne faced an unfortunate injury setback, the responsibility fell on Julián Álvarez to fill the void and maintain the dynamic connection with Haaland.
The Haaland-De Bruyne partnership was synonymous with threat and brilliance, often appearing like a cheat code on the field. However, when De Bruyne suffered an injury just 23 minutes into their Premier League opener against Burnley, Haaland not only lost a stellar teammate but also a significant part of a flourishing duo.
Julián Álvarez, stepping into De Bruyne’s shoes, has not only admirably filled the void but has exceeded expectations. His ability to seamlessly integrate into the team, develop his own rapport with Haaland, and contribute significantly is commendable.
Álvarez’s partnership with Haaland has yielded three goals from 13 chances created. This places them among the elite, with only Salah/Núñez (19) and Moussa Diaby/Ollie Watkins (18) surpassing their total. These opportunities are generated at an impressive rate of one every 73 and a half minutes.
As Kevin De Bruyne prepares to make his imminent return to action, the intriguing question arises: Can Haaland seamlessly transition back to his partnership with the crafty Belgian? The synergy between Álvarez and Haaland has been noteworthy, and whether this dynamic can coexist with the return of De Bruyne remains to be seen.
Julián Álvarez deserves genuine credit for not only establishing himself but also ensuring that De Bruyne’s absence was minimally felt. His adaptability, skill set, and understanding with Haaland have not only maintained but elevated the team’s performance during a crucial period.
5. Unexpected Bonds: The Budding Connection of Maddison and Son
The departure of a key player can create voids, but as seen with Son Heung-min, forging new alliances becomes an intriguing narrative. James Maddison and Son, an unexpected pairing, have not only reached double figures for chances created for each other but have also demonstrated their prowess in goal-scoring situations.
Following the departure of his best mate to Germany, Son Heung-min wasted no time in cultivating a new partnership, this time with James Maddison. The seamless transition reflects not only Son’s adaptability but also his knack for building connections on the field.
Maddison and Son join an elite group of five pairings who have reached double figures for chances created for each other. The duo has tallied an impressive 11, with Maddison slightly edging the scales, contributing six to Son’s five.
Their impact goes beyond chance creation, as Maddison and Son have combined to yield three goals. Notably, their synergy shone in the north London derby, where Maddison’s well-placed cut-back found Son for one goal, and a clever release into the box led to another after robbing Jorginho.
Unfortunately, their budding friendship is temporarily on hold. James Maddison’s injury sidelines him until 2024, while Son Heung-min is expected to be away on Asia Cup duty from mid-January. Despite this pause, few doubt their ability to re-establish their on-field affinity upon their return to the team.
As the story of Maddison and Son unfolds, the question looms: will their partnership be enough to entice a return from the departed Harry Kane?
6. Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan: A Dynamic Duo in Full Swing
Two players have emerged as standout performers in the early stages of the season: Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan. Their individual contributions have significantly bolstered their team’s performance.
Hwang Hee-chan has particularly caught the eye with an impressive goal-scoring spree, notching six goals in the Premier League. This tally already surpasses his combined total of eight goals from the previous two seasons. On the other side of the partnership, Pedro Neto continues to shine, building on the electrifying form we previously highlighted. Neto’s playmaking prowess is evident in his remarkable seven assists, making him the leading provider of goals in the league this season. Additionally, his 25 chances created rank joint-ninth among Premier League players.
A notable aspect of their partnership is the seamless connection between Neto and Hwang. Three of Neto’s seven assists have directly contributed to Hwang’s goal-scoring exploits, marking them as one of the most productive player-to-teammate combinations this season, second only to Núñez to Salah.
Their collaboration reached a pinnacle in a match against Liverpool, where Neto showcased his individual brilliance through a solo run and an inch-perfect pass across the face of goal, setting up Hwang. While Neto took the spotlight in that particular instance, Hwang’s reliability in finding the back of the net adds a potent dimension to their partnership.
In the larger context, Hwang’s goal-scoring consistency in the 2023-24 season, coupled with the evident understanding with Neto, paints a promising picture. Establishing a strong rapport with the team’s chief creator, Neto, is a testament to the duo’s chemistry and their potential to continue being a formidable force in the Premier League.
As the season progresses, the footballing world eagerly anticipates more highlights from this dynamic partnership, recognizing the valuable habit of creating and converting opportunities for the greater success of their team.
7. Villans in the Spotlight: Watkins and His Prolific Partnerships
No homage to thriving partnerships in the Premier League would be complete without acknowledging the impact of Aston Villa, particularly the standout performances of Ollie Watkins. Watkins has played a pivotal role in not one, but three partnerships that have yielded at least two goals each, showcasing the attacking prowess of the Villans.
In our preseason analysis, we underscored the excitement surrounding the signing of Diaby, and the on-field chemistry between Diaby and Watkins has not disappointed. The duo has orchestrated a goal each for the other, and their collaboration extends beyond scoring, as they’ve combined for an impressive 18 chances. This places them second only to the formidable partnership of Salah and Núñez.
The efficiency of Watkins and Diaby’s partnership is further emphasized by their ability to team up for a shot approximately every 52 minutes. Among pairs featuring for at least 250 minutes, this places them as the third most frequent collaborators in the league.
Watkins, however, isn’t limited to just one dynamic partnership. He has also been instrumental in two-goal combinations with John McGinn and Matty Cash during the current season. Additionally, the mutual assistance between Diaby and Leon Bailey adds another layer to Villa’s attacking repertoire, with both players contributing assists to each other.
As the season unfolds, the Villans, led by Watkins and his prolific partnerships, continue to be protagonists in the unfolding drama of the Premier League. The connections forged on the field not only contribute to goal-scoring exploits but also exemplify the collaborative spirit that defines successful football teams. For Aston Villa supporters, the anticipation of more stellar moments and fruitful partnerships is undoubtedly a source of excitement and pride.
8. The Silent Duo: Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford
In the midst of discussing thriving partnerships, there’s a noticeable absence in the metrics – Bruno Fernandes. This absence is particularly intriguing given his standout collaboration with Marcus Rashford last season, where Fernandes set up Rashford for an impressive 36 shots in the Premier League, a feat unmatched by any other player-to-teammate connection.
Together, Fernandes and Rashford created a total of 40 chances, outshining pairs like Kane and Son and Haaland and De Bruyne. Their on-field synergy translated to an average of one chance every 70 minutes, a testament to their formidable partnership during the 2022-23 season.
However, the current season tells a different story. Despite Fernandes ranking as one of the most relied-upon creators in the Premier League, Manchester United has struggled to capitalize on his creativity. The connection between Fernandes and Rashford, which was once a well-oiled machine, has seen a decline. They’ve teamed up for eight chances, resulting in just one shot every 117 minutes, a stark contrast to the frequency observed in the previous season. Surprisingly, they are yet to combine for a goal.
The challenge for manager Erik ten Hag now lies in rediscovering the magic that made Fernandes and Rashford’s partnership a destabilizing force last season. If United can rekindle this synergy, they have the potential to evolve into the attacking powerhouse they aspire to be. The unspoken connection between Fernandes and Rashford holds the key to unlocking the attacking prowess that Manchester United fans eagerly anticipate, and perhaps, “We Don’t Talk About…” will transform into “We Can’t Stop Talking About…” as their partnership finds its rhythm once again.
