Ball possession has long been a strong tactic for fatiguing the opponent, breaking down defences and ultimately scoring goals.
Latest research found that even the biggest names in football can be unreliable on the ball, with some of the Premier League’s most renowned teams also among those most frequently dispossessed.
As the 2019/20 season drew to a close, the team at Compare.bet were intrigued to reveal exactly which figures fared worse on the ball and suffered the most dispossession, thus qualifying them as the most ‘wasteful’ Premier League clubs and players.

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Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United is challenged by Dwight McNeil of Burnley during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley FC at St. James Park on February 29, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

. Crystal Palace
Total ball dispossessions: 479 Give the ball away every (average): 7 minutes and 8 seconds Photo: Catherine Ivill

. Tottenham Hotspur
Total ball dispossessions: 437 Give the ball away every (average): 7 minutes and 49 seconds Photo: Adam Davy

. Chelsea
Total ball dispossessions: 414 Give the ball away every (average): 8 minutes and 15 seconds Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas

. Norwich City
Total ball dispossessions: 405 Give the ball away every (average): 8 minutes and 26 seconds Photo: Peter Powell

. Brighton & Hove Albion
Total ball dispossessions: 399 Give the ball away every (average): 8 minutes and 34 seconds Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas

. Manchester United
Total ball dispossessions: 396 Give the ball away every (average): 8 minutes and 38 seconds Photo: Carl Recine

. AFC Bournemouth
Total ball dispossessions: 384 Give the ball away every (average): 8 minutes and 54 seconds Photo: Catherine Ivill

1. Crystal Palace
Total ball dispossessions: 479 Give the ball away every (average): 7 minutes and 8 seconds Photo: Catherine Ivill

2. Tottenham Hotspur
Total ball dispossessions: 437 Give the ball away every (average): 7 minutes and 49 seconds Photo: Adam Davy

3. Chelsea
Total ball dispossessions: 414 Give the ball away every (average): 8 minutes and 15 seconds Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas

4. Norwich City
Total ball dispossessions: 405 Give the ball away every (average): 8 minutes and 26 seconds Photo: Peter Powell