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The English Premier League is known for being one of the best and most intense leagues in the world. This fact can be proven by the performance of English teams in the UEFA Champions League last season, when Chelsea and Manchester City squared off in Porto in the final.
It is quite a regular sight to see tackles flying all over in a Premier League match as the game is being played at breakneck speed. The Premier League is home to many terrific ball winners and tacklers who leave no stone unturned in their bid to regain possession for their side.
Keeping this in mind, here are the five best tacklers in the Premier League so far this season.
Note: All stats via FBref
#5 Pierre Lees-Melou
French midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou was signed from OGC Nice after Norwich gained promotion to the Premier League. The 28-year-old became a fixture for Daniel Farke's team at Carrow Road before his sacking, starting nine of 11 league matches.
His tough-tackling style has made him no stranger to the referee's notebook as he has already been booked three times this season. The Frenchman has attempted 25 tackles and won 16 of them, at a success rate of 64 per cent. 11 of his 25 tackles were attempted in the defensive third, 13 in the middle third, and just one tackle was attempted high up the pitch in the attacking third.
Despite Norwich City's disappointing start to the Premier League season that has seen them pick up only one win so far, Lees-Melou has proven to be a quality addition.
#4 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Tottenham Hotspur midfield destroyer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is one of the most tenacious players in the Premier League. The Denmark international was an important player for Southampton before moving to Tottenham ahead of the 2020-21 Premier League season. To his credit, Hojbjerg has kept the same form he showed at the St. Mary's Stadium in north London as well.
Hojbjerg has attempted 32 tackles for Tottenham in the Premier League this season with a success rate of 65.6 per cent. What makes this statistic even better is that the 26-year-old has only been booked once in the league this season, showing the efficiency of his methods.
Hojbjerg prefers to keep opponents far from his box. Notably, he attempted 22 of his 32 tackles in the middle third, two in the attacking third and just eight in the defensive third.
#3 Sean Longstaff
Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has been one of the best tacklers in the Premier League this season. The 24-year-old has appeared for the Magpies 10 times this season in the Premier League and has attempted 30 tackles with a 70 per cent success rate.
A smooth operator, Longstaff has only been booked once this season and has committed just 11 fouls in the league. The English midfielder is adept at shielding his defenders and has done a good job for himself despite the dire position Newcastle find themselves in.
In the Premier League, 13 of his attempted tackles have come in the defensive third and another 13 have come in the middle third. Only four of his tackles were attempted in the attacking third, an indicator of a player who plays for a team that does not like to press.
#2 Declan Rice
When West Ham United slapped a £100 million price tag on Declan Rice, a lot of people felt that it was too huge a fee for a young defensive midfielder. The 22-year-old may well cost more than £100 million if his performance this season is anything to go by.
The West Ham academy graduate has established himself as one of the best midfield players in the Premier League and helped his side reach third position in the table. Rice has been the side's captain for most of this season, with Mark Noble playing a limited role.
The England international has attempted 30 tackles in the Premier League this season and won 21 of them at a success rate of 70 per cent. A chief disruptor of opposition rhythm, Rice pounces on opponents in the defensive third of the pitch most times, with 18 of his tackles coming in the region. Nine tackles were attempted in the middle third and three in the attacking third by him.
#1 Allan
Brazilian midfielder Allan has unsurprisingly come out on top of the list of the best tacklers in the Premier League. The 28-year-old joined Everton from Napoli and quickly became an important member of the team at Goodison Park.
With his shirt diligently tucked in, Allan has completed the most tackles in the Premier League this season with 28 of 34 tackles won. The midfielder has only been booked once this season, despite committing 14 fouls in the Premier League.
Allan has a tackle success rate of 82.3 per cent, the highest in the entire division. He hardly pressed high, with only three of his tackles attempted in the attacking third, while 18 were attempted in the defensive third and 13 in the middle third.
Allan and Everton made an exceptional start to the Premier League season before injuries set in. The Toffees are expected to reignite that form once their squad is back at full strength.
