Bukayo Saka joins list of 7 Premier League icons with 75 goals and assists before turning 23

Throughout Premier League history, only seven players have ever managed to record 75 goals and assists before turning 23. Proving just how hard it is to achieve.

Former stars from Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are among the names to reach this impressive tally before turning 23 years old.

Thanks to the work of StatMuse FC, we have identified the seven Premier League icons who have recorded 75 goal contributions before their 23rd birthday.

Bukayo Saka

The latest name to join this elite list. Following a superb showing against Burnley, Arsenal’s starboy has now recorded a whopping 78 goal contributions across his Premier League career so far.

There’s been plenty of discourse of late, debating whether Saka falls into the world-class threshold. Given the unbelievable numbers he has produced, we don’t think there’s much of a debate to be had.

The numbers speak for themselves.

READ: 7 outstanding stats which prove that Bukayo Saka is undeniably world class

Michael Owen

Owen was an absolute animal in his early years with Liverpool. Had it not been for injuries, who knows just how good he could have gone onto become.

A two-time Golden Boot winner as a teenager, wonderkids like Owen don’t come around often. Given his outrageously good output as a youngster, it’s no surprise that he makes the cut for this list.

Robbie Fowler

The highest-scoring teenager in Premier League history. The former Liverpool man scored 40 league goals before turning 20 which put him in good stead to break 75 goals and assists before turning 23.

Fowler produced a total of 196 goal contributions throughout his Premier League career and over 75 of them came before his 23rd birthday. That’s some going.

Wayne Rooney

During his early years with Everton and Manchester United, there weren’t many players in European football who could hold a candle to Rooney. The England forward was absolutely unstoppable in those early years.

In his first six seasons as a professional footballer, Rooney had already scored 68 league goals before turning 23. During that timeframe, he also produced 43 assists for his teammates.

“I am very excited,” Ferguson told reporters when United landed a deal for Rooney in 2004. “I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years.”

#OnThisDay: Wayne Rooney’s first goal for Everton. [2002] pic.twitter.com/d5qU8h4MI3

— A View From The Bullens (@thebullensview) October 19, 2022

Cesc Fabregas

In a list otherwise dominated by forwards, it’s nice to see a midfielder make the cut. Fabregas was an absolute assist machine during his early days with Arsenal and was a thoroughly enjoyable player to watch.

Prior to turning 23 years old, the midfielder had already racked up 63 assists in the Premier League. He also had an eye for goal in his early years, chipping in with an impressive 32 goals during that same timeframe.

Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku’s reputation has somewhat taken a hit in recent years, perhaps because of his underwhelming return to Chelsea in 2021.

However, there’s no denying that he was an unstoppable force in his early years. His breakthrough season came in 2012–13 while he was on loan at West Brom and he never looked back from that point.

His numbers remained consistent throughout his time at Everton as he notched an impressive 87 strikes in 166 appearances for the Toffees. Young forwards don’t come much more prolific than that.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Most people would agree that CR7 was at his most entertaining during his early years at United. Prior to turning 23 years old, Ronaldo produced a total of 77 goal contributions in the Premier League with 54 goals and 23 assists.

However, Ronaldo was much more than just goals and assists in those early years. His electric pace and eccentric showboating skills made him one of the most exciting players in Europe.

READ NEXT: Wayne Rooney names his four favourite Man Utd team-mates: No Ronaldo or Tevez…

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name the Premier League-winning captain for every season?