The 2025-26 Premier League season felt like a very long campaign, but attention quickly turned to the World Cup.
There was plenty of mostly fair “discourse” across the campaign from all quarters surrounding the style of play in England’s top-flight. It has been countered by the suggestion the league is far more competitive and gruelling than its equivalents on the continent.
It’s hard to argue against when Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga by 16 points, breaking the scoring record in the process, and Paris Saint-Germain picked up yet another Ligue 1 title despite Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele making just 11 starts.
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Minutes on the clock and wear and tear on the body are likely to be a big factor this summer, particularly in the scorching North American and Mexican heat.
With respect to goalkeepers, which Premier League outfield players have played the most this season across all competitions?
1. Virgil van Dijk
- Club: Liverpool
- Minutes: 4,941
Virgil Van Dijk was the Premier League’s ironman this season, being the only outfield player to play all 3,420 minutes and making post-1992 history as the oldest to do so at 34 years and 320 days.
He didn’t feature in either of Liverpool’s two League Cup games but otherwise missed just nine minutes across the Champions League and FA Cup.
It’s been a season to forget for Liverpool but their captain has stood up to be counted throughout even if he is not quite at his imperious best anymore.
He will lead the Netherlands this summer, hoping to finally end the country’s long wait for a World Cup victory.
2. Maxence Lacroix
- Club: Crystal Palace
- Minutes: 4,752
Maxence Lacroix was an absolute rock for Crystal Palace throughout the campaign, both before and after Marc Guehi’s departure.
The centre-back has racked up a remarkable 49 starts, helping the Eagles to the Conference League final and himself to a spot in an absolutely stacked France squad.
He will be looking to mark his 50th start by lifting another trophy with the club before joining up with Les Bleus.
3. Malick Thiaw
- Club: Newcastle
- Minutes: 4,641 minutes
The origins of Newcastle United’s disastrous season can be traced back to their shambolic summer recruitment plan.
One signing they did get right was Malick Thiaw, with the German defender quickly establishing himself in an ever-changing back four, making a total of 48 starts across all competitions.
His performances have earned him a place in Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad, where he’ll look to add to his five caps.
4. Morgan Rogers
- Club: Aston Villa
- Minutes: 4,564
Amid all the debate around the England squad, Morgan Rogers’ place was never in doubt.
The Aston Villa star has become a firm favourite of Thomas Tuchel and it’s easy to see why. On top of double digits in goals and assists, the attacker is always available, making 51 starts this season.
Having scored in Villa’s Europa League final success, could he now be a key man for the Three Lions this summer?
5. Declan Rice
- Club: Arsenal
- Minutes: 4,336
Declan Rice was an integral cog for Arsenal across all competitions and finished later than most on the list, due to the Champions League final.
It’s was a season of dreams for the midfielder, playing a key role in all aspects as the Gunners ended their 22-year wait for the league title.
Fatigue may be a concern for Tuchel in the summer but Rice’s engine is near-unparalleled.
Top 10 Premier League outfield players with the most minutes in 2025-26
| Player | Minutes |
| Virgil van Dijk | 4,941 |
| Maxence Lacroix | 4,752 |
| Malick Thiaw | 4,641 |
| Morgan Rogers | 4,564 |
| Declan Rice | 4,456 |
| Enzo Fernandez | 4,379 |
| Martin Zubimendi | 4,299 |
| Ibrahima Konate | 4,280 |
| Chris Richards | 4,221 |
| Ezri Konsa | 4,170 |
6. Enzo Fernandez
- Club: Chelsea
- Minutes: 4,379
A controversial figure at times granted but no one can doubt Enzo Fernandez’s availability. That is when he is not suspended by Chelsea for toying with a move to Real Madrid.
Following on from a key role in their Club World Cup victory last summer, and with little to no break, the midfielder has played more minutes for the Blues than anyone in a truly wretched campaign.
Will he be around for the Xabi Alonso era or will it be adios after he looks to win another World Cup with Argentina?
7. Martin Zubimendi
- Club: Arsenal
- Minutes: 4,269
Martin Zubimendi was heralded as the key to Arsenal’s success in the first half of the season before fading badly after Christmas.
The Spanish midfielder started all of the Gunners’ first 34 league games, and the vast majority of games elsewhere, with Christian Norgaard barely getting a kick.
Myles Lewis-Skelly supplanted him in the lineup during the run-in and Zubimendi only added 30 minutes in the Champions League final.
8. Ibrahima Konate
- Club: Liverpool
- Minutes: 4,280
One of the many issues at Liverpool this season has been their lack of defensive options following the failure to sign Marc Guehi and Giovanni Leoni’s untimely injury.
Ibrahima Konate’s form has been average at best but he’s played more for the Reds than anyone bar Van Dijk.
He will be looking for an uplift in both form and team success with France.
9. Chris Richards
- Club: Crystal Palace
- Minutes: 4,221
Another of Palace’s ironmen alongside Lacroix, Chris Richards has helped the Eagles soar to the Conference League final.
The American defender has played in 50 games across all competitions with his only absences due to a small foot injury and rotation ahead of the Leipzig showpiece.
Richards will look to pick up another winners medal before representing his country on home soil.
10. Ezri Konsa
- Club: Aston Villa
- Minutes: 4,170
Ezri Konsa has been the foundation on which so much of Villa’s brilliant season has been built on.
The defender has played in 48 games, making 34 league starts, and confirming himself as Unai Emery’s no.1 centre-back.
He is likely to be viewed similarly by Tuchel with the 28-year-old the favourite to partner Guehi at the World Cup.
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