With the Premier League season officially over, now is a great time to look back at the season. While statistics like goals, assists and clean sheets are very popular, one that is much less so is consecutive starts.
A footballer who spends most of their time receiving treatment is not very valuable to their club, even if they are very skilled. So, the ability to stay fit is crucial, if underappreciated.
While over 12 players played all 38 matches for their clubs this season, only seven have started each of the last 40 or more Premier League games, dating back over one year.
Premier Leauge: Who Has the Most Consecutive Starts Right Now?
Luka Milivojevic – 40
The Crystal Palace midfielder came to the Premier League in January 2017. Since then he has been ever-present for the Eagles, making 93 appearances across all competitions to date.
Amongst those are 40 consecutive Premier League starts. His streak began on 5 May 2018 against soon to be relegated Stoke City.
Martin Dubravka – 50
The first, though certainly not the last, goalkeeper on this list. Newcastle United shot-stopper Martin Dubravka initially joined the club in January 2018 on loan from Sparta Prague.
He made such an impression that the club decided to splash the cash and sign the player permanently that summer. Dubravka earned plaudits on his debut on 11 February 2018 against Manchester United, where he kept a clean sheet.
The player has yet to miss a Premier League start since for Newcastle.
Virgil van Dijk – 51
The Dutch defender has gone from almost unknown with Southampton to player of the season with Liverpool. Following his move last January, there really hasn’t been a more influential player in the Premier League than van Dijk.
His displays are so impressive that Jurgen Klopp has named him in his starting XI for 51 consecutive matches, dating to 4 February 2018.
Nathan Ake – 54
Bournemouth‘s Nathan Ake has had an impressive season. While he already established his quality in the league the previous season, Ake has now added versatility to his game.
Ake has featured recently in midfield for Eddie Howe, as well as at left-back. Regardless of position, Ake has started 54 consecutive Premier League matches, dating to 14 January 2018 against Arsenal.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 62
Eden Hazard tends to dominate headlines around Chelsea. However, as Azpilicueta plays almost every single minute of each match and performs at a consistent level, perhaps the Spaniard should get some plaudits.
One area in which he tops Hazard is consecutive starts. Azpilicueta started against Newcastle on 2 December 2017 and hasn’t missed a start since.
Lukasz Fabianski – 76
If you’re good at mathematics, you probably already know when the Polish shot-stopper last missed a Premier League match. His streak is so long that it spans two clubs.
Fabianski played every single match of Swansea City’s relegation season one year ago. Now, after switching to West Ham, he’s gone and done it again, sans relegation.
His streak began on 12 August 2017 against Southampton.
Jordan Pickford – 89
The player with the most consecutive Premier League starts as of right now is Everton‘s Jordan Pickford. Not only has he not missed a single Toffees league match since joining the club, but his streak also extends back to his Sunderland days.
He earned the job of first-choice ‘keeper on Wearside during their last season in the top flight from incumbent Vito Mannone. His impressive run of 89 consecutive Premier League starts began on 25 February 2017. His opponents on the day? None other than Everton.
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