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The Premier League and its referees often stay in the headlines for controversial calls and unfair bookings. Since the arrival of VAR, the margin of error has gone down but we still see 50-50 decisions going the wrong way. VAR technology has influenced players into making more cautious challenges.
Players are aware that their chances of getting away despite playing ugly have diminished and fair play will get more encouragement. However, some players cannot help but play recklessly. The Premier League is not new to instances where dangerous and injury-inducing tackles have both been punished and let go of in some instances.
But committing fouls is a part of the game which, when used judiciously and thoughtfully, can provide a team with a critical advantage. Sometimes players foul to take one for the team, sometimes they are drawn to make a rash challenge because of their own mistake.
Many Premier League players are known for committing nuisance fouls
For fans it does get irritating at times to see constant fouls being made and the crowds in Premier League games are vocal enough to express their discontent. It can't be denied, though, that some fouls can turn out to be as crucial as a goal itself.
On that note, we take a look at five active players in the Premier League who have committed the most fouls in the league's history.
#5 Ashley Young
After two successful seasons in Italy with Serie A champions Inter Milan, Ashley Young returned to the Premier League, joining Aston Villa on a free this summer. The 36-year old is a veteran of the Premier League and first featured in the competition for Watford in 2006/07.
This is going to be Young's 16th season in the English top-flight and he has used all these seasons to commit a cumulative 399 fouls. Maybe he's returned just to take that tally across the 400 mark.
In his early days with Watford and Aston VIlla, the England international was a winger who had the versatality to play behind the striker as well.
When he joined Manchester United in 2011, he signed mainly as a winger, but under manager Louis van Gaal discovered his new position as a full-back/wingback. Young was known for his explosive pace and being a winger turned fullback, there was a cutting edge to his contribution in the final third.
A major criticism of Young was that he was never really confident in one-on-one situations. He surely had the intensity to cover ground quickly but that often left him needing to step out of the line and hence the high number of fouls.
Young was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's last Premier League winning squad in the 2012-13 season. He also won the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Europa League with the Red Devils.
So far this season, Ashley Young has committed two fouls and is just one foul away from his 400th target.
#4 Christian Benteke
Another player who raised his stock while performing for Aston Villa just like Young was Christian Benteke. Currently in his tenth season in the Premier League, the Belgian has seen many highs and lows in his career but has continued to respond in pressure situations.
Benteke has also committed the same number of fouls (399) in the Premier League as Young. One of the biggest strengths of the Belgian centre-forward has been his ability to use his frame really well and it is no surprise that it got him on this list.
He is a fierce competitor who loves to go shoulder to shoulder with defenders. His willingness and hard work to help his team out in winning back possession has been lauded by various managers he worked under.
Liverpool signed Benteke from Villa for a price tag of £32.5 million but the striker failed to justify that tag. A mere nine goals in 29 appearances in the Premier League left the Reds' camp unhappy. He was also a misfit in Jurgen Klopp's style of play and was sold to Crystal Palace.
Benteke has made 146 appearances for the Eagles in the Premier League with a rather poor return of 33 goals, but he is capable of producing one odd winning moment. He has collected 24 yellow cards and has received marching orders twice.
#3 Shane Long
Now in his 14th season in the Premier League, many would say Shane Long has always been short of the standards needed to lead the line for a Premier League club. Yet somehow the 34-year old has managed to stay at a Premier League club for the better part of his career.
Long only ever managed to take his goal-scoring tally in the league to a double-figure mark in the 2015/16 season, his second at Southampton, with 10 goals.
The Irishman is not the most physical figure in attack and his fouls aren't quite as robust either. These are just silly instances of him not being tidy enough to take the ball away from the opponent.
The centre-forward has a poor goal-per-game ratio in the Premier League with only 0.16 goals per game and a grand total of 55 goals in 332 appearances.
However, his rate of fouling opponents is pretty high at 1.20 fouls per game, and that takes his tally to 401 fouls. The striker, though, has never really acted out of conduct and as a result has never been sent off.
#2 James McArthur
We are nine games into the Premier League and James McArthur is behaving as he usually does. 12 fouls committed already and three yellow cards received, Patrick Vieira is aware he has a risky player in his ranks. McArthur has committed the second-most fouls among active players in the Premier League.
In his eighth season with Crystal Palace, he continues to be a regular starter. He started the season with a total foul count of 400. So far he has added 12 more to that number, taking his total to 412 fouls committed.
In their game against Arsenal that ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, McArthur, in his desire to volley the ball, booted Bukayo Saka's calf. The England international was hurt and had to be substituted at half-time.
Interestingly, even the VAR did not turn his yellow into a red and let go of the situation which baffled many. Talk about more encouragement to commit fouls.
He has made 224 appearances for Crystal Palace in the Premier League and has contributed with 17 goals and 20 assists. He has collected a total of 50 yellows in the Premier League but luckily has never been sent off. After last week's challenge it looks like he's clearly riding his luck.
#1 James Milner
A true veteran of the Premier League and a candidate to enter Liverpool's Hall of Fame, James Milner has been playing in the Premier League since 2002. He has made an aggregate of 569 appearances in the English top-flight, which is the fifth highest, and will soon overtake David James, who has 572 league appearances to his name.
Milner's versatality and talent have been a delightful combination to witness over the years. His tenacity and ability to read the game has been crucial for the Reds. He's a devoted team man and doesn't think twice before committing a foul that will give his team an advantage.
That self-less character and nearly 570 appearances mean Milner is the Premier League player with the most fouls to his name, 468. He has also received 70 yellow cards and has been sent off three times.
At 35, Milner has made eight appearances for Liverpool in all competitions this campaign and has provided two assists. His dedication and professionalism are evident on the field and it is clear he's training really hard to keep himself fit.
He has played in almost every position on the field except as a centre-back and a goalkeeper. Understandably, playing out of position on frequent occasions does lead to the Liverpool man committing the odd foul.
Milner is a serial winner, having won the Premier League thrice, twice with Man City and then with Liverpool. Additionally, he has also won the FA Cup and Champions League once.
