Borussia Dortmund star Julian Ryerson has been on a roll this season, assisting goals left, right and centre. The Norwegian has emerged as one of the best creators in all of Europe and the most interesting thing is, he's just a defender!
On Sunday, Ryerson was back to business as usual as he made another sublime delivery off a corner for Ramy Bensebaini to head home during their 4-0 drubbing of Freiburg. It was his 13th assist of the season in the Bundesliga, behind only Bayern Munich's attacking duo, Michael Olise (20) and Luis Diaz (16).
As far as defenders are concerned, Ryerson ranks third on all-time list for most assists racked up in a single campaign of the Bundesliga, level with Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer who posted the numbers with Bayern in 1973-74 season.
Philipp Max managed the same with Augsburg in 2017-18 while David Raum was the last defender to assist at least 13 times, doing so with Hoffenheim as lately as the 2021-22 season.
Ranking ahead of them are only Jorginho with 14 assists for Bayer Leverkusen in 1991-92 and Alejandro Grimaldo, who holds the record for most number of assists (15) laid in a single Bundesliga campaign, also with Leverkusen in 2023-24 season.
Ryerson has another three games to match Grimaldo's record or surpass it, with Borussia Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen still to come for Dortmund before they see out the 2025-26 league season.
Across Europe, only Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco ranks ahead of Ryerson for defenders with most assists with 18 in Serie A, a new record in the Italian top-flight.
All this points to just how significant has Ryerson been to BVB in their top-flight campaign this season, playing an instrumental role in helping them secure their best league finish since 2022 as Niko Kovac's side are likely to come second in the Bundesliga this season.
Manchester United keeping tabs on Ryerson
Julian Ryerson's prolific season hasn't gone unnoticed by Europe's top guns. Reports suggest Manchester United are interested in bringing the star to Old Trafford this summer as the Premier League giants aim to revamp their squad ahead of 2026-27 season.
The Red Devils are looking for solid reinforcements in the back, particularly an attacking defender or a full-back, and Ryerson is considered to fit the bill perfectly given he's excelled in that role for the BVB this season.
Newcastle United is another English side reportedly eyeing the Norwegian star as they are looking for Keiran Trippier's replacements with the former Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur star set to depart St. James' Park this summer.
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