Ramsey, Al Ahmadi, Claudio Yacob And 2 Palace Stars Feature In The Top 5 Tacklers In EPL

In modern football, the attackers take most of the plaudits owing to the goals or assists that win games, or on the odd occasion, a defender or a goal keeper gets a mention thanks to their match-saving heroics, but the players who go most unnoticed are the battlers in midfield who help keep danger at bay owing to their timely interceptions. Here’s a look at the top five tacklers in the Premier League this season.

Stats Source: Squawka

5. Karim Al Ahmadi (Aston Villa): 51

The Moroccan has been impressive for an Aston Villa side that currently lies in 11^th place. Playing as a defensive midfielder or as an orthodox one, he has shied away from a challenge this season, and has won 51 of the 89 tackles he has attempted this season (57% success). He has committed 33 fouls and collected 3 yellow cards so far this season, but with so many tackles flying in, he is bound to have made a few mistime ones.

4. Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace): 55

The Crystal Palace skipper has been their best player in the middle of the park this season by far. He has led the side from the front and has been a tough presence in midfield. An improvement in his performances has coincided with an uptick in the points haul for the team. He has won 55 of the 102 tackles he has attempted this season (54% success) but has committed 28 fouls and collected 4 yellow cards so far this season.

3. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal): 56

While the Welshman may have garnered the headlines for his goals this season, an aspect which has largely been overlooked has been his tackling. The arrival of Mesut Ozil has meant that he has had to play a deeper role in midfield this season, and the numbers suggest that he has done pretty well so far. He has won 55 of the 109 tackles he has attempted this season (51% success) but has committed 27 fouls and collected 2 yellow cards so far this season.

2. Claudio Yacob (West Bromwich Albion): 57

The Argentine defensive midfielder has been a revelation this season and has consistently put in performances of the highest order. His superb performances have seen him linked with a move to Liverpool in December. While he may not be moving this January, if he continues to impress for Albion, a move to one of the Premier League’s big boys will come sooner rather than later for the 26-year old. He has won 57 of the 113 tackles he has attempted this season (50% success) but has committed 28 fouls and collected 3 yellow cards so far this season.

1. Joel Ward (Crystal Palace): 64

The young Englishman is perhaps the surprise presence atop this list, but Ward has been outstanding in his role as the right back of a team fighting for survival. The team’s performances have picked up over the course of the last 10 matches, and Ward has been a major contributor to that with his tough tackling, giving little joy to wingers and full backs down his side of the pitch. He has won an astounding 73% of the 88 tackles he has attempted this season, and has committed only 11 fouls so far and hasn’t collected any yellow cards in 18 appearances so far. If he continues in the same vein, Palace surely will have hope in their fight for survival.