There are some players who are simply a nightmare to play against, whether that’s for their nimble footwork or physically imposing frames, they just cause havoc across the pitch.
In past seasons, the likes of Luis Suarez and Thierry Henry would induce fear into defender’s eyes and create countless problems by consistently drawing fouls with their neat footwork and incisive running.
On the flip side of the coin, those who constantly concede fouls in an effort to disrupt the flow of play can be equally as annoying to come up against; before the season, those in England’s third-tier would have been quaking in their boots at the thought of Lee Cattermole rampaging across the pitch looking to hack down anyone in his sight.
So with that considered, based on the combined fouls committed and won, who have been the most annoying opponents to play against in the Premier League?
10. Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur)
Fouls won: 13
Fouls committed: 13
Total: 26
Nothing is more annoying than a player full of pace, and Lucas Moura has plenty of it.
After terrorising Man United’s defence at Old Trafford, Cardiff City’s Joe Ralls is the most recent victim of Spurs’ speed demon having chopped him down in a 1-0 defeat at Wembley.
9. Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)
Fouls won: 14
Fouls committed: 12
Total: 26
Some Arsenal fans will tell you Granit Xhaka is more annoying to watch than he is to play against, even suggesting he isn’t annoying to play against at all.
However, the Arsenal midfielder has become infamous for his scything tackles and being on the receiving end of one of them must be a far from enjoyable experience.
8. Troy Deeney (Watford)
Fouls won: 14
Fouls committed: 12
Total: 26
It’s no surprise to see the Watford captain on this list. Famous for his ability to make any defender’s game a living nightmare, Deeney’s physicality has helped him become one of the top-flight’s best target men in recent seasons.
7. Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Fouls won: 15
Fouls committed: 12
Total: 27
The Portuguese star has been an ever-present at the Molineux since moving from Atletico Madrid last summer, and he has been a consistent threat under the tutelage of Nuno Espirito Santo, combining his devastating running with an innate eye for goal.
The 21-year-old has started every league match so far this season and is proving to be a real nuisance on the wing for Wolves.
6. Philip Billing (Huddersfield Town)
Fouls won: 14
Fouls committed: 14
Total: 28
The mountainous Dane is a physically imposing midfielder standing at 6ft 3in, and he has been an integral component of David Wagner’s machine this season, starting all eight league matches.
And despite the Terriers’ woes, Billing has been a shining light, making more tackles (27) and more interceptions (16) than any player at the club, as well as the second-most blocks (7) and the second-most passes (352).
5. James Maddison (Leicester City)
Fouls won: 24
Fouls committed: 5
Total: 29
The 21-year-old has been a revelation since relocating to the King Power Stadium, receiving his first England call-up last week, and already proving indispensable for Claude Puel.
Maddison’s scintillating form has so far seen him win more fouls than any player this season, even sitting above perennial victims Wilfried Zaha and Eden Hazard. What makes this even more annoying for opponents is that Maddison is so dangerous from the dead-ball situations he creates.
4. Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
Fouls won: 14
Fouls committed: 16
Total: 30
Incredibly, Lacazette has so far conceded more fouls than aforementioned hatchet man Granit Xhaka and fellow teammate Shkodran Mustafi. However, the Frenchman can perhaps be forgiven for his ill-timed tackles if he continues in his current rich vein of form, with the marksman netting five goals already this season, as well as providing two assists as the Gunners remain unbeaten in nine games.
Lacazette is blossoming since winning a starting place in Emery’s side. His work ethic up front combined with his clinical finishing is transforming him into a firm fan favourite and the integral spearhead of Arsenal’s increasingly ruthless attack.
3. Will Hughes (Watford)
Fouls won: 18
Fouls committed: 15
Total: 33
The midfield maestro was unlucky to be snubbed by Gareth Southgate for an England call-up last week following his exhilarating start to the season, and the statistics appear to back up the 23-year-old’s fine form.
No player at Watford has made more tackles (28) or won more fouls (18) than Hughes, proving that his industrious and combative nature in the middle of the park is imperative to Javi Gracia’s philosophy.
2. Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Fouls won: 19
Fouls committed: 16
Total: 35
Pogba has been criticised by some for his lack of commitment on the pitch; well his importance to the Red Devils this campaign cannot be understated, as no Man Utd player has made more passes (554), created more chances (12), provided more assists (2), completed more dribbles (22), taken more shots (26) or made more tackles (16) than Pogba.
The World Cup winner is a truly annoying player to come up against given his size and repertoire of skills, both a testament to his brilliant footballing qualities.
1. Glenn Murray (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Fouls won: 14
Fouls committed: 26
Total: 40
Despite being very much in his twilight years, the brutish forward embodies Chris Hughton’s system, playing the lone striker role with expert ability. It must be an ominous consideration for defenders the night before having to clash with Murray on the pitch, as he has proven to be a physically formidable forward over the years.
Even, it is his knack of conceding fouls that propels Murray to the top of this list. No player has committed more than Murray; in fact, the closest to matching the veteran forward is Luka Milivojevic, who has only conceded 17 fouls compared to Murray’s 26.
The five goals on top of his league-topping foul count, however, is perhaps what makes him the most annoying of all.
The post The most annoying opponents to play against in the Premier League this season appeared first on Squawka News.
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