In brief
Several of the most notorious hard-men in football history have played in the Premier League.
Among the toughest players of the Premier League era are Vinnie Jones, Roy Keane, and Duncan Ferguson.
Julian Dicks, Mick Harford, and Jaap Stam are among the other players on this list.
Some players have a reputation for playing the game in a deadly and occasionally careless manner. The term “hard-man” is frequently used. There is another title for an enforcer, but one thing is certain: every team requires one.
Over the years, a few Premier League players have earned a reputation as “tough guys,” whether it’s Roy Keane’s raging around Old Trafford, his kicking of any opposition player who gave him a bit of stick, or the aggressive Patrick Vieira stamping his mark on a match.
Some of the most infamous hard-men football has ever produced may be found in England’s top division; players who enjoy a good tackle or a skirmish are common. Who among them, though, was the roughest? Using criteria like their disciplinary record, their character as a player, and the tales that other players have shared that have become part of football legend, we have compiled a list of 25 players that match the “hard-man” archetype. Before we begin, please make sure to put on your shinpads.
The Premier League’s 25 Hardest Football Players, Ranked
Rank
The player
Place
Premier League Teams
One
Ferguson, Duncan
Attacker
Newcastle and Everton
2.
Keane, Roy
A midfielder
Manchester United and Nottingham Forest
3.
Harford, Mick
Attacker
Coventry City, Chelsea, and Wimbledon
4.
Vieira, Patrick
A midfielder
Manchester City and Arsenal
5.
Jones, Vinnie
A midfielder
Chelsea and Wimbledon
6.
Pearce, Stuart
Protector
Newcastle, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest
7.
Jaap Stam
Protector
United Manchester
8.
Adams, Tony
Protector
The Arsenal
9.
Hurlock, Terry
A midfielder
Southampton
10.
Mark Hughes
Attacker
Everton, Blackburn Rovers, Southampton, Chelsea, and Manchester United
11.
Hartson, John
Attacker
Coventry City, Wimbledon, West Ham, and Arsenal
Twelve
Gravesen, Thomas
A midfielder
Everton
13.
Dicks, Julian
Protector
Liverpool and West Ham
14
Keown, Martin
Protector
Everton and Arsenal
15.
Ruddock, Neil
Protector
Tottenham, West Ham, and Liverpool
16
Vidic Nemanja
Protector
United Manchester
17
Muscat, Kevin
Protector
The Crystal Palace
18
Bowyer, Lee
A midfielder
West Ham, Leeds United, Newcastle, and Birmingham City
19.
Batty, David
A midfielder
Newcastle, Blackburn Rovers, and Leeds United
20
Davies, Kevin
Attacker
Blackburn Rovers, Southampton, and Bolton Wanderers
21
Huth, Robert
Protector
Leicester City, Stoke City, Middlesbrough, and Chelea
22
Terry, John
Protector
Chelsea
23
Tofting, Stig
A midfielder
Wanderers of Bolton
24
Jong, Nigel
A midfielder
City of Manchester
25
Barton, Joey
A midfielder
Burnley, Manchester City, Newcastle, and QPR
25
Barton, Joey
Burnley, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and QPR
Joey Barton was notorious for his off-field conduct, but he was also never far from controversy on the pitch. Opponents would be counting their lucky stars to escape a clash with him unharmed, even if he is not your usual intimidating central midfielder.
There were moments when it seemed like Barton had a loose screw, just like other hard-men on this list. For instance, when he was sent off against Manchester City with Queens Park Rangers in 2012, he purposefully kneed Sergio Aguero. For his actions, Barton was later suspended for 12 matches. His participation is supported by numerous previous on-field events, such as the time he punched Morten Gamst Pedersen during Newcastle’s 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Joey Barton
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Man City
130
37
2.
Newcastle
66
16
One
QPR
59
19.
3.
Burnley
14
4.
0
24
Nigel de Jong, City of Manchester
Do you recall his notorious “challenge” in which he put his studs on Xabi Alonso’s chest? Nigel de Jong deserves a place on this list even though Alonso may not thank us for it. The challenge was so difficult that it limited the Spaniard’s ability to celebrate after winning the World Cup final.
De Jong, who is unafraid to take on difficult tasks and is undoubtedly a “midfield enforcer,” was raised in a rough environment and learnt to “stand up for yourself,” so his perseverance on the pitch stems from a deeper source. Perhaps that’s why the hatchetman appeared so natural.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Nigel de Jong
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Man City
104
24
0
23 Stig Tofting, Wanderers of Bolton
One person who never shied away from a battle was Stig Tofting. Known as “The Lawnmower,” he was known for his bold challenges and even forewarned Blackburn Rovers to expect a “war” during their 2000 six-point matchup with Bolton.
The midfielder was a member of one of football’s most dreaded midfield duos, partnered with Thomas Gravesen for Denmark. He also made headlines off the pitch, such as when he was accused of assault following a notorious altercation in a Copenhagen cafe in 2002. On the pitch, the Dane was a formidable opponent.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Stig Tofting
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Wanderers of Bolton
14
2.
0
22 Chelsea John Terry
John Terry was tough as they come, albeit he wasn’t really a hard man in the conventional sense. For nearly two decades at Chelsea, JT set an example as a warrior on the pitch and never shied away from a challenge.
Furthermore, opponents didn’t want to mess with Terry. Terry was perhaps the best centre-back in Premier League history and could compete with any player who desired a physical altercation. The Englishman would have had all he needed to establish himself as one of the best central defenders in football history if he had possessed a little more speed.
The Premier League disciplinary record of John Terry
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Chelsea
492
69
6.
21 Leicester City, Stoke City, Middlesbrough, and Robert Huth Chelsea
The giant Robert Huth would be far higher on our list if we were rating the greatest players of the Premier League era. The former Germany international would definitely be a strong candidate for first place.
Huth was a very tough (but generally fair) combatant, being 6 feet 3 inches tall and built like a refrigerator. He would undoubtedly have been among our top 10 hardest players if he had been on a nastier streak. However, only an idiot would have attempted to provoke him on the pitch. The outcome would have been unfavourable.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Robert Huth
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Chelsea
42
9.
One
The Middlesbrough
49
10.
0
City of Stoke
149
27
One
City of Leicester
82
19.
0
20 Kevin Davies Blackburn Rovers, Southampton, and Bolton Wanderers
Kevin Davies scored 87 goals throughout his tenure in the English top division, fulfilling the role of a center-forward. However, it’s telling that even though his only responsibility was to score, his yellow card rate (99) was higher than his goal total (87).
The former Bolton player had the second-highest number of fouls in league history, after Gareth Barry, with 605 during his tenure in the English top division. After Wayne Rooney and Barry once more, the former striker is ranked third on the list of players who have received the most yellow cards in the history of the competition. To be sure, Davies had no fear of conflict.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Kevin Davies
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Wanderers of Bolton
316
67
One
Southampton
105
25
One
Blackburn
21
5.
0
19 David Batty Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle, Leeds United
After making the difference in the last third of the game, many midfielders don’t mind taking a back seat, performing the grunt work, and letting their teammates enjoy the attention. David Batty, who had 78 yellow cards while playing for Leeds, Newcastle, and Blackburn, was a natural in his position. During his playing career, the man assigned to extinguish engine room fires also received five red cards.
His altercation with Nicky Butt of Manchester United served as another proof of his tough exterior. During Blackburn’s Champions League encounter against Spartak Moscow in 1995, he even got into a brawl with his own teammate, Graeme Le Saux.
The Premier League disciplinary record of David Batty
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Leeds United
130
31
One
Newcastle
83
25
4.
Blackburn
55
9.
0
18Lee Bowyer
Leeds United, Newcastle, Birmingham, West Ham
Getting kicked off after a mid-game altercation with a teammate? Make a tick. Lee Bowyer vs. Kieron Dyer is without a doubt the most memorable case with colleagues fighting, though Le Saux vs. Batty may be noteworthy.
Considering his talent, Bowyer’s fury was frequently his undoing. His fiery character attracted the attention of people around him, and he was one of those players who could start a brawl in an empty room. During his time at Newcastle, Birmingham, West Ham, and Leeds United, the Englishman received seven red cards for attacking both his opponents and teammates.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Lee Bowyer
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Leeds United
203
54
One
Newcastle
79
Twelve
3.
Birmingham
64
15.
0
West Ham
51
17
One
17 Kevin Crystal Palace in Muscat
During his career, Peter Crouch acknowledges that Kevin Muscat was the one player that frightened him. According to all reports, the former Australia international is one of the dirtiest football players English football has ever seen. He is a crazy person on the game. During his 2018 podcast, Crouch admitted, “Kevin Muscat scared me,” “You know people say, ‘I’m going to break your legs’, when he would say it you genuinely believed him.”
It’s doubtful that Muscat, who has been called “the most hated man in football” and a “lowlife” among many other things, would have become so successful in the present day. In 2014, a contemplative Muscat told The Guardian, “I’ve realised looking back on my own time what was right and what was wrong.” “If [something] ever occurs, it puts me in the best position to offer guidance. I’m simply focused on the future, but I can appreciate that curiosity [in my history]. My coaching career is my main priority. It’s a completely new chapter, and I want my performance and that of my staff to be evaluated.”
The Premier League disciplinary record of Kevin Muscat
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
The Crystal Palace
9.
3.
0
Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United, 16
Although he was generally dependable, the intimidating Serb’s playing career was interspersed by the occasional “lost his head” tackle. He was a classic no-nonsense enforcer at the back. Nemanja Vidic, who is frequently depicted playing with a bleeding skull, evoking Terry Butcher, truly personified the fear-no-man mentality.
Although he was never very irritable, he embodied the saying, “I’ll put my head where others are afraid to put their boot.” Mario Balotelli discovered in 2011 that few people bothered to mess with the Manchester United star, who was not hesitant to approach an opponent over a problem on the pitch.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Nemanja Vidic
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
United Manchester
211
41
6.
15 Ruddock Neil “Razor”
Tottenham, West Ham, and Liverpool
When Neil Ruddock was on the pitch, he famously got into fights with both Patrick Vieira and Eric Cantona because he didn’t hesitate to confront other tough guys. He was known as “Razor” because he was the quintessential brute who didn’t hesitate to use his size to rough up opponents for the entire ninety minutes.
Ruddock was once asked who he liked to kick the most, which summed up his figure. In response, the retired defender said:
“Andrew Cole.” I know it’s not very large or smart, but I broke both of his legs in a single tackle. Why? since I was irritated by him. I had no intention of breaking both of his legs. I only intended to shatter one.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Neil Ruddock
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Liverpool
115
22
0
West Ham
42
Twelve
One
Tottenham
38
9.
One
14 Everton, Arsenal, and Martin Keown
Forget about Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry; it was Martin Keowns who could lead a team to victory in those crucial games by surviving hardships. The defender was one of Arsenal’s mainstays during their most prosperous period as a football team. Every team needs someone like him.
Whether it was pursuing Ruud van Nistelrooy in the ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ or persevering through agony when Newcastle’s Alan Shearer elbowed him in the head, Keown was as tough and combative as they came in the north London ranks. He was one of the numerous enforcers for the Gunners at the time, accruing 82 yellow cards and nine red cards during his club playing days.
Martin Keown’s Premier League disciplinary record
The Club
Play games
Cards in yellow
The Red Cards
Arsenal
310.
53.
Six
The Everton
13
1.
Zero
13 Liverpool, West Ham, and Julian Dicks
“I played aggressively, but I was also skilled. I wasn’t only hostile. It was a time when you had to take care of yourself. Ruel Fox, Franz Carr, and Tony Daley were quick wingers that I faced.
“Fortunately, I was able to kick people back then. If I didn’t kick them, they would ruin my ninety minutes. I doubt I would play many games if I were alive in this day and age. You’re in the book after one ill-timed tackle. It’s absurd.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Julian Dicks
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
West Ham
110
22
One
Liverpool
24
One
0
12 Everton, Thomas Gravesen
The list has to include the bald Dane, especially with his double-dealing partner Tofting. Mike Tyson, yes, Mike Tyson, was photographed wearing a Denmark shirt with Thomas Gravesen’s image on the back after being so impressed by his resilient demeanour on the pitch.
Yep, that's Mike Tyson wearing a Tommy Gravesen *Hummel * Denmark Shirt… pic.twitter.com/O0ai7LwI30
— Ed (@Dixies60) January 10, 2020
You deserve a place in this ranking if you can make such an effect on someone like Tyson, as Gravesen gets into fights with both teammates and opponents. When he was at Real Madrid in 2006, he notoriously got into a brawl with Robinho on the training pitch and said that he intended to “kill” the Brazilian. Gravesen must be at the top of this list given that he was known as “Mad Dog” and everything else we’ve discussed.
The Premier League disciplinary record of Thomas Gravesen
Club
Games
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Everton
149
34
2.
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