Fouls in football are easy to count and record, but the real dirty deeds are often only caught on camera: the stamps, the pokes into the ribs, the tricky tackles. While these actions are not always caught by the referee, there are still players who stand out with a surprising number of fouls. Below, Bestsoccertips.com shares the ten most fouls committed in Premier League 2023-24 season, as the season draws to a close.
Top 10 most fouls committed in Premier League
1. Douglas Luiz: 49
In the 2023-24 Premier League season, Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz has proven his excellence in the midfield. With an ideal physique and a calm style of play, he is one of the best holding midfielders, not only participating in attacks but also being particularly strong in intercepting and controlling the midfield area. Although there are many fouls in the matches, this does not reduce Luiz’s value but on the contrary, it proves his fierceness and strength when participating in ball disputes.
However, what is worth noting is the number of fouls committed by Douglas Luiz. With 49 fouls, he is one of the players with the most fouls in the season. This can be explained by his fierce playing style and fearlessness in contact, especially when facing strong midfielders such as Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes. However, his defensive ability and ball control have helped Aston Villa hold on to their advantage in difficult situations.
2. Dejan Kulusevski: 50
Dejan Kulusevski is a winger with impressive strength and size, which makes him a notable element in Tottenham Hotspur’s squad. Although his role is to create in attack and support the attack, Kulusevski’s foul count, at 50, is surprising for a player who tends to focus on moving quickly and taking on opponents. This can be explained by his willingness to take on contact and use his strength to maintain control in challenging situations.
Another factor is the tactics adopted by Spurs under the manager. The team plays with a very high midfield, which can often leave Kulusevski in situations where he needs to make saves or push the tempo of the game. As such, he not only plays a disruptive role on the wing but also gets involved in fierce battles in the midfield. This partly explains why he can commit more fouls than other wingers, as challenging defenders is an essential part of Spurs’ style of play.
3. Joao Palhinha: 50
João Palhinha, the Portuguese midfielder, is the epitome of a midfield “destroyer”. With his strong and fearless style of play, Palhinha is always ready to disrupt any attacking play. His ability to read the game and spot opportunities to disrupt the rhythm of the opposition makes him one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the Premier League. While he is not the type of player who attracts attention with his goals or assists, his role in disrupting the opposition’s play is indispensable.
However, there is a notable difference when compared to a player like Dejan Kulusevski. While Kulusevski has the ability to create havoc on the wing, Palhinha stands out thanks to his unique style of play. Despite playing fewer minutes than Kulusevski, Palhinha has stood his ground and has been a major influence in intercepting and stopping dangerous attacks. With his tenacious and uncompromising style of play, Palhinha deserves to be on this list, even if his presence is somewhat subtly and skillfully destructive.
4. Abdoulaye Doucoure: 50
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré is a player with a fierceness and strength that is unmatched. Under the guidance of coach Sean Dyche, Doucouré has not hesitated to rush into every challenge, whether in the midfield or close to the opposition defence. He is the type of player who goes all out, plays with passion and is not afraid of confrontation. Although his main role is defensive, Doucouré also often pushes forward and joins in attacks, leading the way in putting pressure on the opposition defenders.
With 50 fouls committed in 2,484 minutes of play, Doucouré impresses not only with his tenacity but also with his decisiveness in every challenge. Although he may have committed fouls due to the aggressive nature of his play, he has played a key role in defending Everton’s midfield. However, these fouls also demonstrate a relentlessness in stopping opponents, regardless of who they are, and go some way to explaining why Doucouré is on the list of players with the highest number of fouls in the Premier League.
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5. Justin Kluivert: 50
Dutch winger Justin Kluivert probably never expected to be on this list. At 5’7″, Kluivert isn’t the type of player who excels in tackles, and given his style of play, one might think he would shy away from committing unnecessary fouls. However, he has a remarkable record of committing 50 fouls in 1810 minutes of play, which makes him a big surprise to many.
Kluivert’s inclusion on this list may come as a surprise to many, especially when compared to his father, the legendary Patrick Kluivert, who had a great career but was never known for committing such fouls. However, Justin, despite being an attacking player, has shown that he is not afraid to get into tackles and intervene aggressively when necessary. This is partly a reflection of his character on the pitch – a player who is constantly trying and sometimes, his determination in winning the ball leads to unwanted fouls.
6. Alexis Mac Allister: 51
Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is not only famous for his talent on the pitch but also for the way he shows his aggression in the game. With exquisite technique, great creativity and impressive goalscoring ability, Mac Allister is one of the most notable central midfielders today. However, he is not short of fouls or controversies on the pitch, which has led many to see him as a “troublesome person” in the eyes of opponents.
One of the most notable situations of the season was when Mac Allister had his red card overturned early in the season and continued to have controversial clashes. With a strong competitive spirit and a fearlessness for confrontation, he often confronts referees and challenges their decisions. Although his actions can be annoying at times, Mac Allister is undeniably a talented player. His World Cup triumph with Argentina in particular has only served to highlight his importance and mental strength on the pitch.
7. Udogie’s fate: 51
Destiny Udogie, an Italian full-back for Tottenham Hotspur, is a player known for his strong and decisive playing style, always ready to join in on both attack and defence. With the versatility to play in a variety of positions, from left-back to trequartista, Udogie is not afraid to play an important role in both defence and attack. However, he has also had his fair share of controversies on the pitch, as his determination and fearlessness in contact have sometimes led to fouls.
However, Udogie’s career has been cut short by a serious injury this season, which has left him unable to continue playing and hurting opponents. This may come as a relief to Premier League strikers, who will not have to face a player as strong and fearless as Udogie for a long time. His absence will give strikers a breather, at least for the next few weeks.
8. Ryan Yates: 51
Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates has stood out not just for his goalscoring prowess but also for his intensity. After 59 Premier League appearances, Yates finally scored his first goal, but what really stands out is the amount of fouls he has committed. With 101 fouls in the 2023-24 season, Yates has set an impressive record – he has committed one every half hour or so. This shows how intense he is in every challenge and defence.
Although not Nottingham Forest’s main attacker, Yates has played a key role in stopping opposition attacks and defending the midfield. However, his strength and willingness to tackle has made him one of the most fouled players in the Premier League this season. Despite his notable fouls, Yates remains a key part of the team’s tactics, although his style of play can sometimes draw criticism.
9. Joao Gomes: 62
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ young Brazilian midfielder João Gomes can be proud of his achievements in the 2023-24 Premier League season. With 11 fouls committed, Gomes is well ahead of his pursuers and sits firmly in second place in the rankings of players who commit the most fouls. However, this is also a reflection of his aggressive style of play and his willingness to get involved in defensive situations. Gomes’s strength and fighting spirit have made him a key stopper in Wolves’ midfield, although he has also picked up a few yellow cards.
Gomes also finished second in the league’s yellow card rankings, behind fellow Fulham player João Palhinha, a player renowned for his “destructive” style of play. While Gomes is only 23 and still has plenty of potential to develop, he will need to improve his game to overcome more “troublesome” players next season if he is to establish himself as a top midfielder in the Premier League.
10. Conor Gallagher: 78
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has certainly made an impression in 2023-24 with a remarkable record for fouls. With 16 more fouls than the next highest scorer, Gallagher is not only a “destructive” machine in midfield, but also one of the most aggressive players in the Premier League. Despite playing in an attacking and possession-based position, Gallagher has shown a strong ability to stop opponents, which has led to a high number of fouls.
The likes of Joelinton and Moisés Caicedo, with 65 fouls each, may have stood out last season, but Gallagher has impressively outdone them. With three games left in the campaign, Gallagher could well hit the 100 foul mark, which would only add to the attention given to his aggressive and aggressive style of play. Despite his critics, Gallagher remains an integral part of Chelsea’s tactics and is a key player in defending and disrupting opposition attacks.
To Wrap It Up
In the end, the most fouls committed in Premier League are not only names that stand out for their fierce play, but also for their ability to create tension and controversy on the pitch. Although their fouls may not always be detected by the referee, these actions have partly formed their own brand in the eyes of fans. The 2023-24 season may be almost over, but these players will still be remembered as “specialists” in creating unforgettable collisions in Premier League history.
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