5 players who have struck the woodwork the most in Premier League history

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Both, Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard hit the post way more than they would have liked

Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, a number of top players from around the world have plied their trade in England's top flight.

Widely considered to be one of the quickest most competitive leagues in the world, the Premier League bears witness to some of the game's finest moments. As a result, the league garners attention and viewers from across the globe just increasing its global audience.

The Premier League has witnessed countless strikes from various players hitting the woodwork over the last 26 years. On that note, we now take a look at the top 5 players who have struck the woodwork the most in the league's rich and colourful history:


#5 Jermain Defoe

Slovenia v England: Group C - 2010 FIFA World Cup
Defoe will be eager to represent his country in Russia

England and AFC Bournemouth striker Jermaine Defoe sits fifth on the list of Premier League players to have hit the woodwork the most number of times, with 23 attempts bouncing off the frame.

Having played for numerous Premier League clubs and scored many many goals, Defoe has earned a fierce reputation over the years for being a clinical finisher. With a host of goals to his name and controversial transfer moves throughout his career, Defoe's impact in the league has been immense.

The veteran English forward has made more than 450 Premier League appearances and counting, since his debut for West Ham United over 16 years ago.

Defoe moved back to Bournemouth at the start of the ongoing season, and has slowly found his feet after a tough start to life, under Eddie Howe.

The England international made his debut for England in 2004, and the 35-year-old striker is still vying for a place in Gareth Southgate's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.

#4 Steven Gerrard

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Gerrard applauds the Liverpool faithful

Former England and Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard is fourth on the list of Premier League players to have struck the woodwork the most number of times, with 26 attempts finding the woodwork, during his career with Liverpool. Gerrard spent 17 seasons at the club before moving to LA Galaxy before retiring a year later.

Currently, back in Liverpool as the academy head coach, Gerrard is going through the ranks of becoming a future manager at the club, he calls home. The former England international is also the fourth most capped player for his country and was one of the best box-to-box midfielders the league has seen.

A UEFA Champions League winner and multiple-time FA Cup winner, Gerrard is an experienced player and an aspiring coach with great knowledge about the game at the highest level, with an interesting challenge in front of him as the U-18 team manager for the club.

Widely considered as one of the greatest English midfielders to ever play in the Premier League, Gerrard is an idol at Liverpool and will be eager to take charge of the club in the future and lead the club to a Premier League title.

#3 Luis Suarez

Everton v Liverpool - Premier League
Suarez during his time at Liverpool

Uruguayan and Barcelona forward, Luis Suarez, during his time with Liverpool in the Premier League, struck the woodwork 26 times. He spent 3 seasons as Liverpool's talisman upfront, creating a fierce legacy as one of the most lethal strikers in world football.

A prolific goalscorer, Suarez began his career with Nacional in 2005 before moving to Groningen a year later.

After a year with Groningen, Ajax signed the Uruguayan, where he developed into the player he is today and spent 4 seasons at the then Amsterdam Arena, before Liverpool recruited him.

Although he sits third on this list, he scored a bunch of goals during his time at the Merseyside club, and with 26 efforts bouncing off the woodwork in just three seasons, Suarez, quite clearly, was and still is a big threat in front of goal.

Suarez joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2014 and has gone on to win numerous trophies with the club including the UEFA Champions League.

#2 Wayne Rooney

FC Twente v Everton FC - Preseason Friendly
Everton FC captain Rooney

England's all-time record goalscorer and former captain, Wayne Rooney sits second on the list of players to have struck the woodwork the most number of times during his Premier League career so far. With 470 odd appearances and counting, Rooney also holds the record for scoring the most number of goals with a single Premier League club.

He struck the woodwork 29 times in his career and is second to only Alan Shearer on the all-time Premier League goalscorers list.

Rooney began his career at Everton at a tender age of 16, before moving to Manchester United, aged 18. After over a decade at United, in 2017, the 32-year-old moved back to join his boyhood club Everton.

Rooney seems to have settled at the club and is playing football rather freely, notching 10 goals thus far in the season. As Everton strengthen their squad and attacking options in the window, Rooney and co. are in for a good shot to make the European places.

#1 Robin van Persie

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League
van Persie during his time at Manchester United

Former Arsenal and Manchester United talisman, Robin van Persie tops the list of players who have struck the woodwork the most number of times with an astonishing tally of 44 attempts hitting the framework of the goal.

He began his career with Feyenoord in 2001, before Arsene Wenger signed the player in 2004, taking him to Arsenal, where he continued to develop and better his technique and game.

In 2012, he moved to Manchester United, where he made a total of 105 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils. After over a decade in the Premier League, the Dutchman joined Turkish club Fenerbahce in 2014 and continues to ply his trade at the club.

One of the most lethal strikers the Premier League has ever seen, Robin van Persie scored goals from everywhere, using either foot or using his head. A fantastic player, the 34-year-old also made 101 appearances for his country and was part of the Netherlands team that lost the FIFA World Cup final in 2010.

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Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh