How do we identify who are the dirtiest players in the Premier League? The obvious route would be to simply check out the disciplinary statistics and see who has accrued the highest number of bookings. Yet while that may seem the most scientific method, any fan will know fine well that often the dirtiest players are those who get away with their infractions. Throw in the fact that no matter how much they claim it doesn't influence their judgment, referees are always going to have an eye out for players with 'reputations' for gamesmanship. 

Is a dive as bad as a dangerous tackle? Is timewasting a valid and pragmatic tactic or indicative of a lack of sportsmanship? People are never going to fully agree on what amounts to being a dirty player, but we'll take a look at a few individuals who would more than likely be placed on any supporters list. We'll mostly refer to stats from the 2016/17 season and only include players still appearing in the EPL this season. 

Miguel Britos (Watford) 

Sometimes there's some truth in stereotypes - and Britos is the perfect example of a tough Uruguayan defender open-minded towards practicing the darker arts. True to form, he was sent off when making his first appearance for Watford against Preston NE in the League Cup last season - while also accruing a further two red cards over the course of the season. Curiously, he was only modestly placed for yellow cards which may suggest he's perhaps more of a spontaneous hot-head than a truly dirty player. This is supported by various issues throughout his career - he was sent off for headbutting Alvaro Morata when playing for Napoli back in 2015. 

José Holebas (Watford) 

Another veteran defender representing Watford with a reputation for earning a place in the Ref's black book - who would have thought it? If we're going on yellow cards alone Holebas deserves a mention. He picked up 14 in last seasons Premier League campaign - two more than anyone else - an impressive achievement considering it took him a while to settle into becoming a regular starter. Curiously no red cards though, suggesting that Holebas is perhaps more of a professional and controlled dirty player than most. 

Fernandinho (Man City) 

The Brazilian hard man has been around long enough to have earned his reputation as one of the toughest tacklers in the game. Two red cards last season could be taken to suggest that he's lost a little of the impeccable timing that singled him out as a world-class talent a few years ago. The fact that he is no longer an automatic first choice and has subsequently had less time on the pitch explains a merely average number of yellow cards, with the reds perhaps also indicating he's trying a little too hard to reestablish himself in Pep's plans. 

Leroy Fer (Swansea) 

Another defensive minded midfielder with a knack for getting booked, Fer has maintained a poor disciplinary record with each of the clubs he has represented in the EPL. Already this season he has 4 yellow cards (shared with 3 others) and is well ahead of schedule to surpass the 9 he collected last season. Need more evidence that he's a proper tough man? During his youth career, he went by the nickname of 'the bouncer'! Throw in being involved in some highly controversial incidents - taking advantage of an injured opposition player to score an open goal back in 2013 being perhaps the most indicative that Fer is a truly dirty player. 

Etienne Capoue (Watford) 

Noticing a suspicious trend yet? Not many would argue that playing in the combative Watford team has certainly brought out the edge in Capoue's game - and also for the better. First signed by Spurs to add an extra playmaking option, it appears that Capoue is at heart an all-action player who has a skill of committing fouls to disrupt a game but rarely deliver a proper booking. It is certainly a talent that has taken some developing - when playing for Toulouse before moving to North London he amassed 17 yellow cards in his final season - more than any other player in Ligue 1. 

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