The game of football has had several calibers of players both mentally and physically. Figuratively, there are players who are able to carry the whole team along in terms of battles and brawls. These same players are hard in the way they tackle and commit fouls on oppositions. Consequently, the lovers of the game are aware of the rules but these players are stubborn to their studs and will do anything to obstruct play and even graze the blades of grasses on the pitch. The good old days remind me of hard men in the world’s most watched league since its inception in 1992/1993. Here is a list of those ‘gladiators’ that will ‘take one for the team’ when called upon:

Patrick Vieira


The Frenchman was very tall and a maestro in the middle park at Arsenal. The former captain comes on the least as he cumulated ten (10) Red cards in his Arsenal F.C. career with many yellow cards. The man will always be remembered for his outburst at Roy Keane during a match day fixture against Manchester United.

Roy Keane


Captains are built for the responsibility and Roy wasn’t less. Roy was one of the most committed and hardest players in the league who gathered a total of nineteen (19) trophies in his career at Manchester United. Roy Keane was also known to be rough and aggressive in his style of play – a character that should be in place when representing Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Alan Shearer


It’s normal for strikers to unleash their dry spells on defenders and this legend is one of those strikes. With his record goals in the Premier League still intact and yet to be dethroned, Alan Shearer will never be forgotten as an aggressive and dirty centre forward who was always forgiven by referees.

Thomas Gravesen


Probably one of the controversial players ever in the ranks of Everton F.C, The Danish player was popular as member of a Danish gang and was always quick to confront his teammates whenever he felt it was needed. Thomas was very dirty to his opponents on and off the pitch.

Nemanja Vidic


The Serbian International is arguably one of the best centre backs in the premier league history, forming a solid partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the defense line of Manchester United. A United legend at that, he racked up quite a number of trophies at the club during their glory days. He was able to endure pain on the pitch, strong in the air and a hard tackler on his opponents.

Julian Dicks


Julian was a tough tackler at West Ham United. He was the type that never shied away from going in on opponents even if it meant getting sent off. Not long after, he was named ‘The Terminator’. Julian always got into the books of referees and that eventually cost him the captain armband. He was really a dirty ball player. He was named player of the year at West Ham four different times before finally retiring due to the injuries sustained from his style of play.

Neil Ruddock


He was named ‘Razor’ after the famous boxer for the way he cuts opponents on the pitch. Neil played for four different teams including Liverpool F.C. He was really a ruthless defender robust in his position. Neil will always be seen in the heat of brawls and will swing an arm whenever he got provoked. Let’s put it this way: Neil was simply a gangster.

source: http://tushmagazine.com.ng/the-toughest-players-ever-in-the-english-premier-league-history/

Add Van Dirk

Most of these players were defensive midfielders.

lol....funny then u should add bakayako

Vinnie jones

Share for Vidic Like for Keane

The list is not complete yet

This list get as e be, many dirty players missing, I remember joey barton, Robbie savage.

Even the EPL player with the highest yellow card in the history of the league did not make the list.

ballotelli fa?
that one wey de fight him coach

Diego Costa own.. him whole salary FA de chop am as FINE..

If Diego Costa is not on the list, wetin you gain?


I can buy your used gadgets, Phones, Laptop, Copier, printer, etc. Let's chat for prices

Ashley Cole & Drogbq

Add Dicanio of Westham

Ok

Where is James Milner the machine?

What about Dicanio of Westham

That list isn't complete without Bobby Savage.

Indomi pikins no sabi Vinny Jones.

ednut1:
Vinnie jones

Paul Scholes
Joey Barton
Robbie savage
John hentinga
Eric Cantona
Poulo dicanio

Where's Joey Barton

Where is van nistelrooy

everybody wan create thread.

Obi Mikel no dey ? The silent killer

Vinnie jones

Nonsense

Wetin you wan make we carry old school footballers do?

All Stoke City players especially Shawcross....

Where's Dicanio and Cantona??

DCONE1:
Where is Gatuso

did gatuso play epl Indomie kid sighted ... You self wan form say u sabi oldie soccer

...and how will you omit Michael Essien?
At a time he was the most versatile Chelsea player.
Deployed everywhere and anywhere there was a shortfall..
Be it as a defensive midfielder which happen to be his natural niche, central defender when John Terry was out injured, Central midfield to partner either of Lampard or J.Cole...He drives forward into the heart of opponent's midfield. offensive and defensive. He tackles, won back balls..He shoots long range efforts..He scored important goals... He dribbles....Lest I forget, he bullied too...He was a beast#
He was all round for chelsea....Injury cut him out so early....
Michael Essen was rugged those days.
He was the engine room. A general###

Fernandinho (that guy is ruthless, forget)...

Ferdinand nko