Being fouled regularly can be an indication of how difficult a player is to stop.

Quick wingers attract challenges when they accelerate beyond defenders, creative midfielders are brought down before they can release a pass, and physically strong players earn free-kicks by protecting possession under pressure.

However, the most-fouled rankings are not simply a list of the league’s best dribblers. Players can draw contact through intelligent positioning, sharp changes of direction, effective ball protection and an ability to place their bodies between an opponent and the ball.

The opening weeks of 2026/27 have produced a clear early leader in Bukayo Saka. This ranking combines the current campaign’s preliminary figures with evidence from the completed 2025/26 season, providing a broader picture than the first four matches alone.

Statistics are correct as of 19 September 2026 and will change as the campaign develops.

The Most-Fouled Premier League Players in 2026/27

1. Bukayo Saka, Arsenal
2. Elliot Anderson, Manchester City
3. Alex Scott, Bournemouth
4. João Pedro, Chelsea
5. John McGinn, Aston Villa
6. Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United
7. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland
8. James McAtee, Nottingham Forest
9. Harvey Barnes, Newcastle United
10. Oliver McBurnie, Hull City

1. Bukayo Saka, Arsenal

Bukayo Saka is the most-fouled player in the Premier League during the opening weeks of 2026/27.

The Arsenal winger has drawn 14 fouls across his first four league appearances. He has also started the campaign with three goals, highlighting the attacking threat that opponents are attempting to contain.

Saka’s position on the right wing repeatedly places him in direct contests with opposing full-backs. His ability to move outside, cut onto his left foot or combine with teammates makes it difficult for defenders to predict his next action.

His strength is another important factor. Saka can protect the ball while moving, forcing defenders to make contact if they want to stop him from progressing.

Opponents also understand the danger of allowing him to reach the penalty area. A foul in a wider or deeper position can be viewed as less damaging than permitting him to shoot, cross or create an opportunity closer to goal.

Saka was fouled more than 50 times during the 2025/26 campaign despite not completing every match. His current position therefore reflects an established pattern rather than a brief early-season anomaly.

2. Elliot Anderson, Manchester City

Elliot Anderson was the most-fouled player in the Premier League during 2025/26, drawing approximately 80 fouls while playing for Nottingham Forest.

Following his move to Manchester City, Anderson has drawn another 10 fouls in his first four league appearances of 2026/27. That places him sixth in the current standings.

Anderson’s ability to attract contact comes from his midfield role and his willingness to carry possession. He is comfortable receiving the ball with an opponent nearby and attempting to move forward rather than immediately returning it to a defender.

This invites opposing midfielders to engage him. If Anderson positions his body between the defender and the ball, the opponent may have little chance of winning possession without making contact.

His excellent previous-season total gives him one of the strongest overall cases in this ranking. Although Saka leads the new campaign, Anderson has the most convincing recent full-season record.

3. Alex Scott, Bournemouth

Alex Scott has drawn 12 fouls in the opening four matches of 2026/27, placing him level with João Pedro and behind only Saka and McGinn in the current standings.

The Bournemouth midfielder was also fouled 60 times during 2025/26, placing him fifth in the final Premier League rankings.

That consistency across both seasons makes Scott one of the safest selections in the top 10.

Scott is regularly involved in Bournemouth’s attempts to move through midfield. He can receive possession under pressure, turn away from an opponent and carry the ball into a more advanced area.

His willingness to maintain possession rather than release it immediately creates opportunities for defenders to challenge. Scott’s close control often means that those challenges arrive after he has already moved the ball away.

Winning free-kicks also helps Bournemouth retain territory. Even if a dribble does not create an immediate chance, drawing contact can allow the team to move its players forward and restart possession from a more advanced position.

4. João Pedro, Chelsea

João Pedro has been fouled 12 times during the opening four matches of 2026/27. He has also contributed three goals and three assists, demonstrating why opponents are attempting to disrupt him.

The Chelsea forward drew more than 50 fouls during the previous Premier League campaign, placing him among the competition’s leading players in the category.

João Pedro is difficult to defend because he does not remain in one fixed position. He can drop between the lines, move towards either flank or carry the ball directly into the penalty area.

His balance allows him to absorb contact and continue moving, meaning defenders occasionally need to make a stronger intervention to stop the attack.

João Pedro is also intelligent when protecting possession. He can move across the path of an opponent and prevent the defender from reaching the ball cleanly. If contact arrives from behind or from the side, the result is often a free-kick.

His combination of dribbling, movement and physical resistance makes him one of the league’s most regular foul winners.

5. John McGinn, Aston Villa

John McGinn has drawn 13 fouls in the opening weeks of the season, putting him second in the current Premier League standings.

The Aston Villa midfielder was also fouled 48 times during 2025/26. His early production therefore continues an established trend.

McGinn is not a conventional winger who relies on repeated one-on-one dribbles. His ability to earn fouls is based heavily on strength, balance and body positioning.

He possesses a low centre of gravity and is extremely effective at placing his body between an opponent and the ball. Defenders can find it difficult to make a clean challenge without pushing, clipping or pulling him.

McGinn is also willing to receive possession in congested areas. This attracts immediate pressure but can create space elsewhere if he retains the ball or wins a free-kick.

His foul-winning ability is particularly useful when Villa need to relieve pressure. McGinn can accept a pass, protect it and draw contact, allowing teammates to move forward and the team to regain its shape.

6. Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United

Yoane Wissa has drawn 11 fouls across his first four Premier League appearances of 2026/27.

The Newcastle United attacker presents several different problems for defenders. He can run behind the defensive line, move into wider areas or receive possession with his back to goal.

His acceleration makes him particularly dangerous during transitions. Once Wissa begins moving into open space, defenders may decide that committing a foul is preferable to allowing him to approach the penalty area.

He can also use his body to protect possession while waiting for support. A centre-back attempting to reach around him risks making contact before touching the ball.

Wissa’s current ranking is based primarily on the opening weeks of 2026/27 rather than a leading full-season total from the previous campaign. A larger sample will be required to determine whether he can maintain his present rate.

7. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland

Granit Xhaka has been fouled nine times during the opening four matches of the new season.

The Sunderland midfielder draws fouls differently from the direct attackers near the top of the ranking.

Xhaka is regularly responsible for receiving possession from defenders and moving the ball through midfield. Opponents may attempt to pressure him immediately to prevent Sunderland from establishing control.

His experience helps him recognise where that pressure is coming from. Xhaka can adjust his position, protect the ball and force the approaching opponent to challenge from an unfavourable angle.

Winning a foul in these areas can be particularly useful. It gives Sunderland an opportunity to keep possession, move players forward and prevent the opposition from beginning a counterattack.

Xhaka’s total could decrease as the season progresses, but his central role ensures he will continue receiving possession in areas where opponents are encouraged to engage him.

8. James McAtee, Nottingham Forest

James McAtee has drawn nine fouls in the opening stages of the 2026/27 campaign.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder has also emerged as one of the league’s early creative leaders. His ability to receive between the lines and turn towards goal makes him a natural target for defensive pressure.

When McAtee receives possession between the opposing midfield and defence, opponents must decide whether to allow him to advance or step forward and challenge.

That second option carries a significant risk. McAtee’s close control and ability to move the ball quickly can cause a defender to arrive late, producing a foul in a dangerous central position.

His current total is based on a small number of matches, but it reflects the attacking responsibility he has accepted at Forest.

If he continues to receive possession in advanced areas, he is likely to remain among the division’s more frequently fouled players.

9. Harvey Barnes, Newcastle United

Harvey Barnes has drawn nine fouls during Newcastle’s opening four league matches.

Barnes is most dangerous when he can receive the ball facing forward and accelerate towards the penalty area. His direct running forces defenders to make decisions quickly.

A defender retreating towards their own goal may attempt to slow him down with contact before he reaches shooting range. This can result in tactical fouls around the edge of the final third.

Barnes can also cut infield from the left, bringing him into areas occupied by central midfielders and centre-backs. The increased traffic creates further opportunities for contact.

His ranking is currently based more heavily on early 2026/27 evidence than on a leading previous-season total. Nevertheless, his pace and directness make his appearance unsurprising.

10. Oliver McBurnie, Hull City

Oliver McBurnie completes the ranking after drawing nine fouls during his first four Premier League appearances of the season.

The Hull City forward attracts fouls in a different way from Saka, Barnes or Wissa.

McBurnie is regularly involved in physical contests with central defenders. When the ball is played directly towards him, he attempts to establish position, protect possession and provide a platform from which Hull can advance.

Defenders may concede free-kicks by pushing him in the back, pulling his shirt or attempting to challenge through his body.

His height also makes him a major target for aerial passes. Physical contact is unavoidable in many of these situations, and officials must determine whether either player has gained an unfair advantage.

McBurnie’s ability to win free-kicks can provide Hull with valuable relief when the team is under pressure. It allows teammates to move forward and gives the promoted side an opportunity to establish possession higher up the pitch.

Honourable Mentions

Bruno Guimarães

Bruno Guimarães was fouled approximately 75 times during 2025/26, placing him second in the final rankings behind Anderson.

His strength, balance and willingness to receive possession under pressure have consistently made him difficult to dispossess cleanly.

Jérémy Doku

Jérémy Doku was fouled more than 60 times in the 2025/26 Premier League season despite playing considerably fewer minutes than many of the other leaders.

His quick feet and repeated one-on-one dribbling made him one of the league’s most difficult players to challenge legally.

Gabriel Gudmundsson

Gabriel Gudmundsson drew 56 fouls during the previous campaign. The Leeds United defender’s running and willingness to carry possession helped him earn contact in both defensive and attacking areas.

Neco Williams

Neco Williams was fouled more than 50 times during 2025/26 and has drawn another seven fouls at the beginning of the current campaign.

His ability to advance from full-back regularly brings him into direct contact with opposing midfielders and wingers.

Iliman Ndiaye

Iliman Ndiaye has been fouled eight times during the opening weeks of 2026/27. His balance, dribbling and willingness to operate in crowded attacking areas make him a strong candidate to rise through the rankings.

Why Are Certain Players Fouled So Frequently?

Players tend to attract fouls for several different reasons:

• Dribbling ability: Defenders can be forced into late challenges after the ball has moved beyond them.
• Acceleration: Quick players may be stopped before they can reach full speed.
• Ball protection: Strong players can position their bodies between an opponent and possession.
• Close control: Players who keep the ball near their feet can draw contact without losing it.
• Positioning: Receiving possession in congested spaces increases the likelihood of a challenge.
• Attacking importance: Opponents may deliberately prevent a dangerous player from starting a counterattack.
• Unpredictability: Two-footed or highly agile players are difficult to direct towards a safe area.
• Game intelligence: Experienced players recognise when a defender is committed and move across the opponent’s path.
• Playing role: Target forwards and central midfielders are involved in frequent physical contests.
• Reputation: Defenders may engage certain players more cautiously or aggressively based on their established threat.

There is therefore no single profile shared by every player in the rankings.

Saka attracts fouls through dribbling and attacking danger. McGinn uses his body exceptionally well, while McBurnie contests physical passes against central defenders. Anderson and Scott draw pressure by carrying the ball through midfield.

Why Total Fouls Drawn Can Be Misleading

A player’s foul total is influenced by minutes, position, playing style and team tactics.

Someone who starts every match has more opportunities to draw contact than a substitute. A winger facing defenders in repeated one-on-one situations is also likely to be fouled more often than a centre-back circulating possession.

Per-90 figures can help account for differences in playing time, but they also create potential distortions. A player with limited minutes can record an unusually high rate after drawing several fouls in one appearance.

The location and value of the fouls also matter. Winning a free-kick inside the attacking third can create a scoring opportunity, while drawing contact near a player’s own penalty area may simply relieve pressure.

The best assessment therefore combines total fouls, rate per 90, minutes played and tactical context.

Does Being Fouled Regularly Indicate a Good Player?

Being frequently fouled is often a sign that opponents consider a player dangerous, but it does not automatically prove quality.

A skilful winger may attract fouls because defenders cannot stop them cleanly. A midfielder may draw contact because of excellent ball protection. A target forward can win free-kicks through physical contests without producing significant attacking output.

The value lies in what the free-kick achieves.

If a player draws contact after beating an opponent near the penalty area, the foul may create an excellent set-piece opportunity. If they win a free-kick while their team is under pressure, it can provide time to reorganise and move up the pitch.

Players must also recognise when staying on their feet is more beneficial. Drawing contact is useful, but continuing towards goal may create an even greater advantage.

Tactical Fouls and Dangerous Players

Some opponents are fouled deliberately.

When a quick player receives possession during a transition, the defending team may have limited protection behind the ball. Allowing the attack to continue could create a clear goalscoring opportunity.

A defender or midfielder may consequently commit a relatively minor foul near the halfway line. The resulting yellow card can be viewed as an acceptable cost for preventing a more dangerous situation.

Saka, Wissa and Barnes are particularly capable of creating these moments because they can accelerate into space. Anderson, Scott and João Pedro can produce similar problems by carrying possession through central areas.

Frequent tactical fouling is therefore evidence of the threat a player poses during transitions, although not every foul is deliberate.

Why Previous-Season Data Matters

The 2026/27 rankings are based on only four matches, making them highly vulnerable to individual performances.

A player could draw five fouls in one unusually physical fixture and immediately move towards the top of the table. Another may face opponents who deliberately avoid direct challenges.

The completed 2025/26 season offers a more dependable sample.

Anderson led the league with approximately 80 fouls drawn, while Alex Scott, João Pedro and Saka also appeared among the leading players. Those totals demonstrate that their current positions are supported by a longer-term pattern.

The opening weeks of the new campaign can then identify players whose roles or circumstances have changed. McGinn, Wissa, Barnes, McAtee and McBurnie have all attracted contact at particularly high rates.

Who Is the Most-Fouled Player in the Premier League in 2026/27?

Bukayo Saka is currently the most-fouled player in the Premier League.

The Arsenal winger has drawn 14 fouls across four appearances, placing him one ahead of John McGinn and two ahead of João Pedro and Alex Scott.

If evidence from both seasons is considered, Elliot Anderson and Alex Scott have especially strong claims. Anderson led the 2025/26 rankings, while Scott finished fifth last season and sits joint-third in the current campaign.

Saka nevertheless leads the 2026/27 standings and has an established record of drawing frequent contact. For now, he is the strongest overall choice.

Final Thoughts

The Premier League’s most-fouled players attract contact in very different ways.

Saka uses close control, strength and changes of direction. Anderson and Scott carry the ball through midfield, while João Pedro combines movement with intelligent ball protection. McGinn’s low centre of gravity makes him extremely difficult to dispossess, and McBurnie competes through direct physical confrontations.

The current rankings will change significantly as the season progresses. Four matches provide a useful early picture but not a definitive conclusion.

For now, Saka leads the way. His attacking importance, ability to beat defenders and willingness to receive possession under pressure ensure that opponents are repeatedly forced to choose between allowing him to advance and conceding a free-kick.