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Some show their strength in a tackle, others are always first on the scene when things flare up.
Then there are those players who need to say or do nothing and yet you still know they are not to be messed with.
We wanted to know which player from down the years you felt was your club’s undeniable tough nut or hard man so we asked the BBC Sport fan community to offer up some selections.
ArsenalCharlene Smith, AFTVexternal-link
The toughest player to have played for Arsenal was Martin Keown. His love, passion and winning mentality was evident on and off the pitch. I would regard Keown as a formidable defender that opposition teams feared coming up against. Both he and Tony Adams were a solid, formidable and dominating centre-back pairing.
Fan views, news and analysis on our Arsenal pageAston VillaRichard Sutherland, The Villa Park Podcastexternal-link
Once upon a time Dion Dublin was one of Aston Villa’s toughest players. In December 1999 the striker sustained a potentially life-threatening broken neck, but was back just a few months later to score the winning penalty in an FA Cup semi-final. During the derby against Birmingham in 2003, he was sent off for headbutting Robbie Savage, knocking him to the ground and initiating a 20-man brawl.
All your Villa analysis, fan views and opinion in one placeBournemouthTom Jordan, Back of the Netexternal-link
Harry Arter was known for his tough tackling, commitment and heart – a warrior who would give everything. More poignantly, Arter produced a stunning display in a win over Manchester United in 2015, just days after he and his partner tragically lost their daughter at birth. Now that goes beyond tough.
Get all the best Bournemouth contentBrentfordIan Westbrook, Beesottedexternal-link
Brentford’s toughest all-time player must surely be Terry Hurlock.
His fierce tackling, as well as his long hair and beard, struck fear into opponents. But he could play a bit too, appearing in both the Premier League and Scottish Premier League and winning three England B caps during his career.
All the latest Brentford news and analysisBrighton & Hove AlbionScott McCarthy, We Are Brightonexternal-link
Danny Cullip. Whether it was finishing 90 minutes at Forest in 2004 with blood pouring out his shiny head, swearing at team-mate Robbie Pethick so loudly the whole of Withdean heard, or his war cry of “let’s ‘ave a winner” whenever the opposition took a goal kick that was more a threat than encouragement, he was a captain who led by a mixture of inspiration and fear. It worked, as he won three promotions in five years as a Brighton player.
Check out our Brighton page for more fan viewsChelseaRoss Mooring, Chelsea Fancastexternal-link
Ron Harris was a hard-nosed defender who led the Blues to FA Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup glory in the 1970s, famed for his uncompromising style of play.
Most modern fans would understandably choose John Terry as the toughest ever Chelsea player, but if your club’s top all-time appearance maker’s nickname is “Chopper”, the award has to go to Harris.
Visit our Chelsea page for analysis, latest news and more supporter viewsCrystal PalaceJay Crame, The Eagles Beakexternal-link
Damien Delaney became a fan favourite for his full-blooded commitment on the pitch. There are a couple of iconic images which summed up his time at the club; one at Reading in the FA Cup where he is fending off several opposition players, the other he is face-to-face with a certain Diego Costa at Stamford Bridge.
Go straight to all the best Palace content EvertonBriony Bragg, This Fan Girlexternal-link
It would be comical of me to offer any other answer to this than Duncan Ferguson. He was every defender’s worst nightmare, an absolute powerhouse, scaring not just the opposition but a few referees in his time. With such a presence, he will be forever an Everton legend.
Go straight to our Everton page for fan views, analysis and the latest newsFulhamDan Crawford, Hammy Endexternal-link
Fulham fans had only a single season to appreciate Terry Hurlock’s tackling but opponents regularly ducked out of tackles he contested. He earned a record 61 disciplinary points before having to retire after breaking his leg in a friendly, a word that would not have featured in Hurlock’s personal dictionary.
Visit our Fulham page for more analysis and supporter viewsLeeds UnitedJess Furness, Her Game Tooexternal-link
Gaetano Berardi, the toughest Leeds player since Billy Bremner. The word ‘warrior’ in the dictionary is written about him! Berardi was so passionate about the club and that showed through his physical fight on the pitch. If I had to pick any modern-day Leeds player to be my bodyguard, I would pick Gaetano without any hesitation!
Check out our Leeds page for more fan viewsLeicester CitySam Holloway, LeicesterFanTVexternal-link
For me it has to be Wes Morgan. He always seemed like a gentle giant off the pitch, but as soon as he hit the grass his mentality changed from a footballer to a skipper. He never cut corners, a straightforward defender and no-nonsense player.
Go straight to the Leicester page for fan opinion, analysis and latest newsLiverpoolHarriet Prior, The Anfield Wrapexternal-link
Despite not being the most imposing in stature, Andy Robertson has the mental toughness and physical toughness to match. He is always the first to rile up the opposition fans and players – you only have to ask Jordan Pickford. Mentally, too, he shows his toughness
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