Premier League is known for its thrilling matches and world-class players. However, Premier League players from various teams including Arsenal, Leeds United, Manchester City and more have been fouled more than others. Referees are currently under a microscope with the aid of VAR, so the safest option for officials is to blow the whistle for fouls whenever possible. This is done to prevent angry managers from shouting expletives at them. Nonetheless, certain players receive greater unwanted attention from their opponents than others.
Even with the support and assistance of VAR (video assistant referee), controversial fouls in football seems to have increase and intensify. With some Premier League referees even resigning. Check in-depth guide of what you need to know about VAR.
Premier League players seem to be annoy at the referee at times as well of not taking action sooner.
| Premier League Players | Foul On |
|---|---|
| 10. Ezri Konsa | 39 |
| 9. Bukayo Saka | 40 |
| 8. Brenden Aaronsen | 41 |
| 7. Ryan Yates | 42 |
| 6. Bruno Guimaraes | 42 |
| 5. Jarrod Bowen | 43 |
| 4. Ivan Toney | 47 |
| 3. Jack Grealish | 49 |
| 2. Jordan Ayew | 50 |
| 1. Wilfried Zaha | 57 |
Thanks to the consistent efforts of WhoScored data we have the list of top 10 most fouled players in the Premier League for the 2022-23 season. To qualify for this list, players must have played at least 500 minutes this season.
Top 10 Premier League Players Most Fouled
Some of the Premier League players you see on the list might surprise. As they are not the usually suspect of players who you think get foul a lot. As most players in the Premier League we think get fouls committed are speedy wingers. Most of the time the first player name coming on everyone is Jack Grealish. Who is actually down in the top 5, but we are going to start from descending order.
Let's begin with the with our first top 10 football player in the Premier League!
10. Ezri Konsa
Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa comes in at number 10 on our list with 39 fouls committed against him. The defender has made 23 Premier League appearances this season and has been on the receiving end of four times as many fouls as he’s committed. This impressive feat is something to talk about with your mates over a pint at the pub.
9. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is in ninth place on the list with 40 fouls committed against him. Saka is regularly targeted for rough treatment from opposition defences. Mikel Arteta and Oleksandr Zinchenko have both called for referees to give the Arsenal star greater protection. Arteta even went so far as to say, "We need to protect him.”
8. Brenden Aaronsen
Brenden Aaronsen of Leeds comes in at number 8 on the list with 41 fouls committed against him. Despite their lowly league position, Leeds is full of slippery young talents that regularly run rings around their opponents. Aaronsen, a summer arrival from Red Bull Salzburg, is their most fouled player.
7. Ryan Yates
Ryan Yates of Nottingham Forest shares sixth place on the list with 42 fouls committed against him. Nottingham Forest players have been fouled more than their counterparts at Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham this season. Yates has taken to top-flight football like a duck to water, and opponents wouldn’t feel obliged to foul him if they didn’t recognize his talent.
6. Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle also shares sixth place on the list with 42 fouls committed against him. Guimaraes has become the toast of Tyneside for his imperious displays from midfield. He almost never moved to Newcastle in January 2022, but he chose to come to Newcastle because he wanted to play in the Premier League one day. The fans have embraced him and his family, and he never expected to enjoy the experience as much as he has.
5. Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen of West Ham is in fifth place on the list with 45 fouls committed against him. Bowen remains arguably West Ham’s biggest goal threat, ensuring defenders regularly use his shins as target practice. Although he hasn't lived up to last season’s exploits, he remains a significant player for West Ham.
4. Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney of Brentford is in fourth place on the list with 47 fouls committed against him. Toney has been a shining light for Brentford this season, scoring 14 times and providing assists. Given his status as Brentford’s main goal threat, it’s not too much of a shock to learn Toney has been fouled the most.
3. Jack Grealish
It's hardly surprising to see the England international so far given Grealish's propensity for tangling defenders up in knots.
After winning a penalty against his previous team Aston Villa last month, the Manchester City forward faced the most criticism for his tendency to trip up.
Jack Grealish doesn't require much of an invitation, according to Gary Neville, who later added on Sky Sports. "He's smart, and he played the defender, in my opinion.
"Grealish has given it his all in that regard. He is acting with complete knowledge.
2. Jordan Ayew
Who would have guessed that since last August, defenders have fouled Palace forward Jordan Ayew 50 times, making him the second-most fouled player in the Premier League.
1. Wilfied Zaha
Zaha is miles ahead of his Premier League competitors because of his quick feet and cunning footwork, which lead defenders to leave stud marks on his thighs.
This has always been the case with the talisman of the Palace. After one especially nasty game at Huddersfield in 2018, he questioned, "Why am I getting different treatment from other players? I have tried to speak to officials. There is nothing more I can do.
"I feel like my leg would have to break for someone to earn a red card," the speaker said.
Final Thoughts
Staying up-to-date with the latest Premier League news, scores and analysis is essential for any football fan who doesn't want to miss out on the most thrilling matches. With the right information, fans can be prepared for every game and enjoy seeing their favorite players perform at their best.
Basic understanding of football rules for fouls committed. For an in-depth analysis on understanding basic of football 101 is here.
