“Tottenham’s Red Card Kings: Heung-min Son Jumps to Joint Second in All-Time Rankings”

“Tottenham’s Most-Booked Rebels: Heung-min Son Climbs to Joint Second in All-Time Red Card Rankings”

Here’s a rundown of the top five Tottenham players with the most red cards in the Premier League era, including a current Spurs star among them.

Tottenham’s Red Card Record
Traditionally, Tottenham have not been known as a dirty team. Throughout the Premier League era, the club has been home to more technically gifted players who excel with the ball at their feet rather than those who focus on crunching tackles.

In fact, this perception has fueled an enduring criticism of Spurs over the years—that the team often lacks grit and a fighting edge, instead being labeled as having a “soft underbelly.”

This view is reflected in their red card statistics, which are relatively modest compared to those of more combative teams.

Only one player holds the dubious distinction of being sent off four times for Spurs, while four others have seen red on three occasions during their Tottenham careers—one of whom is still part of the current squad.

Here’s a look at the players with the most red cards in Tottenham history.

Michael Dawson – 3 Red Cards
Dawson’s name on this list won’t raise many eyebrows. While he was a solid, aerially dominant defender, he occasionally struggled against elite forwards like Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero, who often exposed his lack of agility. Dawson was never one to hold back in a challenge, which sometimes led to trouble.

That said, Dawson was far from a dirty player. His record of three red cards in 236 Spurs appearances reflects a defender committed to his craft rather than recklessness.

Colin Calderwood – 3 Red Cards
For older Spurs fans, Colin Calderwood’s inclusion is no surprise. Much like Dawson, the Scotsman was a no-nonsense defender whose robust style of play often brought him into conflict with officials.

Joining Tottenham from Swindon Town in 1993, Colin Calderwood spent six years at White Hart Lane, making 163 appearances and receiving three red cards.

Notably, all three dismissals were the result of two yellow cards rather than straight reds, highlighting that Calderwood wasn’t prone to reckless or malicious challenges.

Mauricio Taricco – 3 Red Cards
Mauricio Taricco, another fan favorite at White Hart Lane, carried on the proud tradition of Argentine stars donning the iconic white shirt.

The Argentine left-back joined Spurs from Ipswich Town in 1998, spending six years at the club and making 130 appearances. However, three of those outings were cut short as Taricco received his marching orders and an early trip to the showers.

Since retiring, the 51-year-old has carved out a successful coaching career and is currently the assistant manager at Bordeaux. One can only hope he instills greater discipline in his players than he occasionally displayed during his playing days.

Heung-min Son – 3 Red Cards
Perhaps the most surprising name on this list is Heung-min Son. The current Spurs captain, known for his skill, sportsmanship, and positive demeanor, has been sent off three times during his ten-year stint at the club—something many fans may not have realized.

What makes Son’s red card record even more intriguing is that all three of his dismissals came in the same year, 2019, when he was sent off against Bournemouth, Chelsea, and Everton.

The red card he received against Everton was particularly memorable, as it was the tackle that led to Andre Gomes’ horrific injury, a moment that left Son visibly distraught. Despite the severity of the injury, it was clear that Son did not intend to hurt Gomes, with the momentum from teammate Serge Aurier pushing him into the challenge.

All three of Son’s red cards for Tottenham have been straight reds, which doesn’t reflect well on the South Korean forward’s discipline. So, the next time the Spurs captain advises players like Yves Bissouma or Cristian Romero to stay on their feet and keep their cool, they might just cheekily remind him to follow his own advice.

Younes Kaboul – 4 Red Cards
Younes Kaboul holds the unfortunate distinction of being the only player to be sent off four times for Tottenham in the Premier League era.

The French defender made 110 appearances for Spurs across two separate stints, but his red card record is the worst on this list. His minutes-to-red card ratio is particularly dismal. According to Stat Bunker, Kaboul was sent off roughly once every 1,430 minutes of football, which equates to one red card every 15 matches, assuming 90-minute games.