The top 10 most fouled players across Europe

A look at the top 10 most fouled players across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 so far this season.

Drawing fouls from defenders is a unique skill and so we’ve dived into the numbers to find out who the 10 most fouled players have been this season, across Europe’s major five leagues.

As you’d expect, plenty of wingers have made it onto the list, but there are some surprising entries.  

 

10. Bruno Guimaraes 

Newcastle have recently shelled out £40million for Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and he shows up fairly well on this metric, having drawn 61 fouls this season.  

The 24-year-old operates from deep-lying positions in midfield and he’s able to wriggle his way through opposition players with ease.  

 

9. Jude Bellingham 

Jude Bellingham is having an outstanding season with Borussia Dortmund as he has already registered 13 goal contributions across all competitions.  

The 18-year-old has drawn 62 fouls from defenders and is the most fouled player in the Bundesliga this season.  

 

8. Goncalo Guedes 

Goncalo Guedes is currently having the best goalscoring season of his career, having found the back of the net nine times in La Liga for Valencia.  

The Portuguese midfielder has transitioned into a more central role this season, having previously played off the left-hand side, and he has drawn 62 fouls this season. 

 

7. João Pedro 

Cagliari’s Joao Pedro has drawn 63 fouls from defenders this season and he remains to be one of the biggest goal threats in Serie A. For a third consecutive season, Pedro has hit double figures for a goal return and there’s still plenty of football to be played. 

 

6. Nicolás González 

Coming in as the Serie A’s most fouled player this season, we have Nicolás González. The 23-year-old Argentine has drawn 64 fouls from defenders and he has adapted well to life in Italy, having moved over from VfB Stuttgart in the summer. 

 

5. Akim Zedadka 

Coming onto the list as the only defender we have Clermont Foot’s Akim Zedadka. The French full-back has drawn 65 fouls this season, more than any other defender across Europe.  

The 26-year-old likes to get up the pitch and contribute to the attacking third, which can be highlighted by his 1.89 shot-creating actions per 90. 

 

4. Teji Savanier 

Teji Savanier has been one of Europe’s best dribblers this season, having completed 55 successful dribbles and so it’s no surprise to see him on this list. His agility and skill makes him a nightmare for defenders, who are often left with no choice but to foul him.  

The 30-year-old midfielder has been fouled 67 times, more than any other player in Ligue 1. 

 

3. Iker Muniain 

Iker Muniain is the creative hub of Athletic Bilbao, with the Spanish playmaker notching up six assists so far this season. He also ranks as the eighth-best dribbler in La Liga, with 39 successful dribbles this year. 

Muniain has been fouled 68 times throughout the season, with an average of 3.68 fouls drawn per 90.  

 

2. Nabil Fekir 

Nabil Fekir tops the La Liga list for the most fouled players and he comes in at second place on today’s list. The diminutive French star has managed to draw 71 fouls this season for Real Betis. 

The 28-year-old has once again been a key player for Betis, as he has picked up 16 goal contributions throughout the season so far, in all competitions. 

 

1. Wilfred Zaha 

Claiming the number one spot as the most fouled player in Europe, we have Crystal Palace’s Wilfred Zaha. The 29-year-old is among the best dribblers in the Premier League and he cleverly uses his body to get in front of defenders and draw them into fouling him. 

Zaha has been fouled 72 times throughout this season, which is some going. Last season, Zaha was the second most fouled player in the Premier League, just behind Jack Grealish.