Study Shows The Dirtiest Players In The History Of Premier League

Watford defender Jose Holebas is officially the dirtiest player ever to play in the Premier League.

Taking into account players who had played 38 or more games in the top flight since it began in 1992, website betting-directory.com did a study on the number of yellow cards and red cards received by players.

And Greek international Holebas came on top, with his 39 yellow cards from 106 top-flight games - giving him an average of a yellow card every 2.72 games.

Image: PA

The former Roma man is renowned for being a serial offender in fouling his opponents but when his record was brought up last season, Holebas said it was a big overreaction.

"I don't get why people are so focused on yellow cards," he said prior to the FA Cup semi-final win over Wolves, as per Watford Observer.

"If you make a tackle and you start moaning it is emotional - that is football and that is what we're living for.

"It doesn't annoy me. It's just a yellow card, I don't know why there is such a big deal about it. If I get 20, I get 20, that's it."

Holebas is one of three players to have average a booking less than every three games, with Harry Arter on 2.84 and Igor Stimac on 2.86.

Former Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole, who probably has more cautions than he's had hot dinners, is in fourth on 3.08, with his former colleague Billy Jones occupying fifth on 3.28.

Diego Costa and Joey Barton average a yellow every 3.42 and 3.47 games respectively, while Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu completes the top ten.

Here is the list in full:

José Holebas - 1 every 2.72 games

Harry Arter - 1 every 2.84 games

Igor Stimac - 1 every 2.86 games

Lee Cattermole - 1 every 3.08 games

Billy Jones - 1 every 3.28 games

Seth Johnson - 1 every 3.36 games

Billy McKinlay - 1 every 3.4 games

Diego Costa - 1 every 3.42 games

Joey Barton - 1 every 3.45 games

Oriol Romeu - 1 every 3.49 games

Luka Milivojevic - 1 every 3.52 games

John Moncur - 1 every 3.6 games

Granit Xhaka - 1 every 3.62 games

Danny Mills - 1 every 3.63 games

David Thompson - 1 every 3.71 games

Tomas Repka - 1 every 3.73 games

Gary Caldwell - 1 every 3.78 games

Ivan Campo - 1 every 3.82 games

Robbie Savage - 1 every 3.89 games

Claudio Yacob - 1 every 3.9 games

The same outlet have also compiled data regarding red cards. And out of all of those to have played 20 or more Premier League games, Portsmouth's Ricardo Rocha has the worst record by far - averaging a dismissal every 12 games.

Darren Purse, Danny Tiatto, Chico Flores, Mario Balotelli and Vinnie Jones are among those to make the cut.

Here is the list of red card receivers in full:

Image: Betting Directory

Topics: Watford, Football News, Football, Granit Xhaka, Premier League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@https://twitter.com/JoshLawless_