Top 10 players with the most fouls committed in Premier league
Football is all about the most aesthetically pleasing teams these days. But no good football team, especially in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, is complete without a player committing a series of fouls – and they come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s helping to stop a dangerous counter-attack, making sure the opposition know you’re there in pure Sunday League style, or trying to nullify the opposition’s power – nothing tears apart a football stadium like a foul-playing player. But which Premier League player has committed the most fouls this season? Forget the yellow cards or the early penalty kicks for a second, here’s Premiumsoccertips list of the 10 players with the most fouls committed in Premier league.
Top 10 fouls in the Premier League (2023/24)
1. Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
Fouls committed: 80
Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher is the Premier League’s most fouled player this season. In 2,956 minutes of league play, Gallagher has committed 80 fouls, and that tally is still climbing. In fact, no one can predict exactly how many fouls the Epsom-born player will commit after his final two games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth.
As a dynamic midfielder who plays at a high pace and is always involved in fierce midfield battles, Gallagher’s top foul list is no surprise. This is all the more understandable given Chelsea’s turbulent season under manager Mauricio Pochettino. Despite leading the way in fouls, Gallagher has only received seven yellow cards and been sent off once, showing that he is still able to control the situation quite well while playing with great enthusiasm. These numbers partly reflect his playing style, always giving his all for the team.
2. Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Fouls committed: 64
Unlike Conor Gallagher, Joao Gomes’ main job at the heart of the Wolverhampton Wanderers side is to disrupt play and draw fouls when necessary. What the Brazilian lacks in flair, he makes up for in intensity and a tendency to get involved in tackles, despite falling to the ground. His ability to withstand pressure and tenacity has attracted the attention of big clubs such as Manchester United.
The 23-year-old, although still in the early stages of his career, has the opportunity to improve his form next season. Whether he plays at Molineux, Wolves’ home ground, or elsewhere in Europe, he can improve his form and reduce his fouls. To date, Gomes has committed 64 fouls in 33 Premier League games, equivalent to 2,569 minutes of playing time. He has also picked up 11 yellow cards, reflecting his aggressive and fearless playing style.
3. Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest)
Fouls committed: 54
After 59 Premier League appearances, Nottingham Forest’s Ryan Yates has finally scored his first goal in the English top flight. However, it’s not the goals that have made him stand out throughout his career. During that time, the midfielder has committed a total of 101 fouls, with 54 of those coming in the 2023/24 campaign.
Playing for a team facing relegation, Yates has clearly used his strength to create balance on the pitch. This has often worked to his advantage, especially when you look at his disciplinary record. Despite committing over 50 fouls this season, Yates has only received six yellow cards, a remarkable number. This shows that he has the ability to dictate play with flair, even if his style of play doesn’t always attract the attention.
4. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Fouls committed: 53
Liverpool’s £35m move for Alexis Mac Allister has proven to be one of the smartest deals of the summer transfer window. However, many initially believed he would be a player who would primarily provide passes for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz. However, this has been far from the case since his arrival in June 2023.
One of the factors that has affected Mac Allister’s form is Liverpool’s lack of a truly solid defensive midfielder, which has limited his ability to initiate attacks. As a result, his foul count has been surprisingly high. The Argentine, who was named the best player at the World Cup, has committed 51 fouls in total, becoming one of three players on this list to be sent off for fouls. This shows that, despite being an attacking talent, Mac Allister is not afraid to engage in fierce battles to protect the midfield area.
5. Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)
Fouls committed: 52
Justin Kluivert may not be the easiest name to come across on this list, especially given his stature and role on the south coast. Known as a talented winger, with the ability to dribble and weave past opponents, he is not often compared to the more powerful central midfielders in the Premier League. Yet, we see him in this ranking.
The Dutchman, who joined Bournemouth in the summer, has played 1,876 minutes in the Premier League, during which time he has committed 52 fouls. It is worth noting that, unlike many of the players on this list, Kluivert has been more disciplined, having picked up just five yellow cards and no red cards in the 2023/24 campaign. This shows that despite playing with an energetic and sometimes fierce style of play, he still maintains his composure and limits serious fouls.
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6. Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur)
Fouls committed: 52
Like the Bournemouth key man, wingers are not known for stealing the ball and committing fouls on a regular basis. However, Dejan Kulusevski, a key player for Tottenham Hotspur and the man who scored one of the last Premier League goals, is one of the most fouled players in the league. Despite being a winger, his physique is not typical of the position, which may be why Kulusevski is drawn into challenges more often than his counterparts in the same position.
Manager Ange Postecoglou’s use of an unusually high formation may present Kulusevski with more challenges than he would have faced in a different system. Still, his total of 52 fouls, resulting in seven yellow cards and no reds, puts him fourth on this list, alongside Kluivert. His willingness to engage in challenges in pressure situations is a reflection of the Swede’s aggressive style of play.
7. Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
Fouls committed: 51
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz can be forgiven for having featured in all but one of his side’s Premier League games so far. In 2,574 minutes of playing time, he has committed a total of 51 fouls, but it’s worth noting that he has only received three yellow cards to “show off” his fouls. However, two of those yellow cards have come in the final minutes of the game – one in the 93rd minute and one in the 100th minute.
This clearly shows that Diaz has mastered the use of “tactical fouling”, a technique that can help stop counter-attacks or keep the team in a good position at crucial moments. This makes him a valuable asset to Liverpool, especially as it demonstrates the Colombian’s willingness to help the team’s defensive duties. Despite occasionally making mistakes, Diaz has remained a key part of Liverpool’s overall play, with the ability to maintain focus and intensity until the final minutes of a match.
8. Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur)
Fouls committed: 51
The second Tottenham Hotspur player on this list, defender Destiny Udogie, has committed 51 fouls so far in the 2023/24 campaign, which is quite an impressive number considering his injury record. As a left-back, the 21-year-old has to deal with some of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers, including Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka. With these challenges, it’s understandable that he’s on this list.
However, for the Italian, there’s no chance of him increasing his foul count this season, as he’s on Spurs’ treatment list and will not play for the rest of the campaign. It can be easy for Premier League strikers to let their guard down in the final weeks of the season, but Udogie can still look ahead to next season to improve his place on this list. Still, the fact that he faced strong opposition at left-back shows that he has given it his all, and there is room for improvement in the future.
9. Abdoulaye Docoure (Everton)
Fouls committed: 50
Playing under the tutelage of veteran manager Sean Dyche, Abdoulaye Doucoure has been faced with huge expectations. One of those demands is to be a strong attacking player who is not afraid to commit fouls when necessary. And Doucoure has delivered on that, although he has made his fair share of errors this season. The Mali international has impressed under Dyche, featuring in 31 Premier League games for Everton so far.
Doucoure has often been deployed further forward than his midfield counterparts at Goodison Park. In this role, he is constantly on the move and involved in attacks, but he is also not short of tackling. In 2,552 minutes of league play, he has committed a total of 50 fouls, and given his fast-paced style of play, it is likely that this number will surpass 50 by the end of the season. This reflects Doucoure’s dynamism and aggression, although he is a bit clumsy in controlling foul situations.
10. Joao Palhinha (Fulham)
Fouls committed: 50
That Joao Palhinha, revered in the Premier League and Europe for his strong tackling, does not top this list is a testament to his talent for winning back possession. However, his exploits on the pitch have seen him pick up 13 yellow cards, the most in the league so far in the 2023/24 season.
However, despite not topping the list, Palhinha’s name is always there, reflecting both his growing reputation and his aggressive style of play. He has committed a total of 50 fouls in 2,619 minutes of playing time this season. Despite his tendency to foul, Palhinha remains an invaluable asset to Fulham and is undoubtedly one of the team’s most important players, particularly with his strong defensive abilities and influence in attack.
Final thoughts
In the high-octane environment of the Premier League, fouls are as much a part of the game as goals and assists. Players like Conor Gallagher, who leads the chart with most fouls committed in Premier League this season, demonstrate how physicality often defines midfield battles. With 80 fouls in nearly 3,000 minutes for Chelsea, Gallagher epitomizes the relentless nature of English football. Alongside him are players like Joao Gomes and Ryan Yates, whose tactical fouls reflect their critical roles in breaking up opposition play. While such stats might seem undesirable, they highlight the tactical nuance and intensity required to compete in one of the world’s toughest leagues. As the season concludes, these numbers reveal the unsung, gritty side of football, where every foul counts toward team success.
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