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PSG are hoping to fulfill their European ambitions and bring home the UEFA Champions League. With the addition of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum to their squad, they have experienced moments of victory.
The presence of these players has also increased the competition in the PSG squad. As a result many other players have improved their performances to secure their place in the starting XI.
PSG players are playing aggressively this season
Having lost the Ligue 1 title to LOSC Lille last year, the French giants are playing with more intensity and aggression. The stats of the club reflect the tacklers of the squad. These players have taken the risk of getting injured while defending for their team.
Mauricio Pochettino will feel optimistic upon seeing these performances. Hopes will be high in replicating the same success in the big games on Champions League nights. On that note, here are the five best tacklers at PSG this season.
Note: All the stats have been taken from Fbref.
#5 Thilo Kehrer
Now in his fourth season with PSG, Thilo Kehrer has had his problems with injuries. These health issues have hampered his importance in the squad. A centre-back by trait, he has often played as a right-back and given no little to complain about.
The defender has had spells of inconsistency, but overall he fits well in their rearguard and continues to improve. Kehrer has been the fifth-best tackler at PSG this season, having attempted 20 and successfully executed 15 of them in Ligue 1.
The German has only been peripherally involved in the Champions League with all three of his appearances coming from the bench. The defender scored an important equalizer against Olympique Lyon in the French top-flight, coming on as a substitute and saving PSG's blushes.
#4 Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera arrived at the Ligue 1 giants in 2019 as a free agent from Manchester United. He had to deal with fitness issues and injuries in his first season and was mostly seen on the treatment table.
In the previous season, Herrera started games more regularly for PSG and since then he has just gotten better. Under Mauricio Pochettino, the midfielder has put in consistent performances, is playing on the front foot and seems to be enjoying his game.
The 32-year old is not the tallest or bulked up figure, but his great reserve of stamina helps out with the defending bit. Herrera has made 18 successful tackles from his 27 attempted in Ligue 1 this season. The Spaniard has also shown his attacking flare, bagging 4 goals and two assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
#3 Achraf Hakimi
PSG will feel secure as far as the right-back position is concerned for years to come, having recruited Achraf Hakimi in 2021. His name definitely pops up in conversation for the best fullbacks in the world these days. The right-back excels in every department of the game and just keeps getting better.
The 23-year old has definitely added a cutting edge to the already sharp PSG attack, but has been defending with great rigor as well. He is the third-best among tackles in the squad, having successfully executed 25, although he has attempted a much higher number than others on the list (43).
His success rate has been much better in the Champions League, where he perfectly executed 8 of his 13 attempted tackles. The Moroccan is extremely quick and pace is his biggest advantage. Technically, he is gifted with a great right-foot that helps him drop pinpoint crosses and take aim at the goal.
#2 Marco Verratti
The longest serving player in the current squad, Marco Verratti is the architect in chief of the PSG midfield. Many midfielders have come and gone, but the Italian has been a mainstay for the French giants and has never been replaced.
He can start counter attacks with his passing, can negate pressure from the opposition and is great at ball retention. But the defensive part of Verratti's game is equally attractive. He has been one of the most active tacklers in the PSG side, having committed 22 successful tackles out of the 27 attempted.
Pochettino has spoken about how important the Italian is for his side, especially his ability to carry the ball forward and is always looking for a progressive pass. Verratti has spent considerable time on the sidelines due to injuries last season and this one as well.
He has made 17 appearances so far and the manager would like him to be available going forward in the season.
#1 Idrissa Gana Gueye
It is difficult to remember the last time Idrissa Gana Gueye left such a good impact with his performances. The 32-year old really shielded the PSG backline quite well this season. The defensive midfielder joined in the final-third, after been given the license to roam.
He has brought balance to the midfield and continues to churn out disciplined performances. Gana Gueye executed 56 tackles and got 36 of them right. He continues to be a combative presence in the middle of the park and is regularly starting games for PSG, having made 20 appearances this season.
Fans will hope that the Senegal international continues to deliver these performances for the remainder of the season. His goal-scoring abilities have also been on display, with the player finding the back of the net four times already this season.
