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In the ever-changing world of football, the role of a defensive midfielder has more or less been the same. Despite its stagnant nature, their job is probably the most important one in a flourishing team. With forwards hogging all the credit for scoring goals, deep-lying outfield players are often left underappreciated.
Some notable defensive midfielders of the past
With theatrics becoming a larger part of modern football with each passing day, defensive midfielders are tasked with all the dirty work. While their errors are grossly exaggerated, their constant hard work ends up being neglected most of the time. Despite this state, defensive midfielders like Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira have etched their names in the history books for their invaluable contributions.
Another gem, plying his trade at the base of midfield was French stalwart Claude Makélélé. All-time legend Zinedine Zidane famously called him the engine of a star-studded Real Madrid side. However, Lothar Matthäus gives Makelele close competition for being the best defensive midfielder of all time. The German smoothly transitioned into a deep-lying player from his box-to-box role over the course of his career that spanned over two decades.
From retrieving the ball to pressing the opposition relentlessly, defensive midfielders have a wide range of responsibilities. Having said that, putting in rock-solid tackles is one of the most important aspects of their game.
On that note, let's take a look at five defensive midfielders with the best tackling ability in the world right now:
#5 Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)
Following a stunning 2020-21 Serie A campaign, coupled with some impressive showings at Euro 2020, Manuel Locatelli secured a much-deserved transfer to Juventus. Primarily a loan deal, the Bianconeri have the mandatory option to make this move permanent for an initial €25m.
Having played for AC Milan in his younger years, the Rossoneri will be kicking themselves for letting Locatelli slip through their hands. Locatelli is especially seasoned in dictating the tempo of his team's play, all the while participating heavily in the retrieval of the ball.
However, one of the best aspects of the defensive midfielder's style of play is his efficiency in tackling. The 23-year-old Italian prodigy produced 81 tackles last term, with a whopping 275 ground duels. In Locatelli, Juventus have a certified gem on their hands. The defensive midfielder is also expected to grow in stature with age on his side.
#4 Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid's star defensive midfielder Casemiro is another specialist when it comes to tackling. The 58-time capped Brazilian has single-handedly restricted a player like Fabinho to the national team's bench due to his superior skills at the base of the midfield. Bought from Sao Paulo as a 21-year-old, Casemiro has turned out to be a revelation at the Bernabeu.
While Casemiro is neither a flashy player nor the best from a technical point of view, he is the person you call when you need to get something done. His strong and mobile stature, coupled with his excellent defensive capabilities, has made him one of the best tacklers of the ball, period.
Brilliant in sensing the flow of the game, Casemiro also has great positioning. Last term, while Real Madrid disappointed as a whole, their defensive midfielder kept everything secured at the back with 84 tackles and 148 successful ground duels. He even maintained an impressive 53.62 per cent success rate in the latter aspect. Overall, Casemiro is arguably the best defensive midfielder of the present time.
Also read: 5 full-backs with the best crossing ability in the world right now
#3 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
N'Golo Kante has quickly cemented his place among the best defensive midfielders the world has ever seen. Cutting down opposition attacks with the brightest smile in all of football, Kante has been a constant thorn in the eyes of Premier League forwards. Playing in the third tier of French football as recently as 2013, he has now added two Premier League titles, one Champions League title and a FIFA World Cup to his trophy cabinet.
Deservedly at the center of one of the best feel-good stories across all sports, Kante has earned so many accolades solely due to his hard work and determination. His usual work rate in a match remains unmatched by any other active player.
The diminutive defensive midfielder is especially capable of winning the ball and making exceptional tackles. The Frenchman maintained a 55.17 per cent success rate in ground duels last season when Chelsea finished fourth. In two games of the current campaign, Kante already boasts a 77.78 per cent success rate in the same department.
#2 Yves Bissouma (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Graham Potter is one of the most innovative managers in the Premier League at the moment, trying relentlessly to revamp a talented Brighton side. Having said that, the crowning jewel of his skilful midfield has to be the talented 25-year-old Yves Bissouma.
Even though Bissouma has been used in different positions by his current club, he has thrived whilst playing as a defensive midfielder. The masterful Malian has recently been deployed alongside Adam Lallana in a two-man midfield. Predictably, most of the screening work has fallen upon Bissouma as a result, and the defensive midfielder has performed his duties brilliantly.
Due to his gritty display in midfield for Brighton, Bissouma has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester United as well as Arsenal. Such was his consistency that the defensive midfielder played in 36 Premier League games last season, making 104 tackles and contesting 324 ground duels. A serial tackler indeed.
While these stats are among the best in the English top division, the African stalwart backs them up with a 58.33 ground duel success rate. If he continues to maintain his top form, Bissouma is destined to become one of the best defensive midfielders at an elite club.
#1 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
A relatively unknown commodity at the time of his transfer to Leicester City, Wilfred Ndidi has quickly become one of the best defensive midfielders of the modern generation. His monumental contributions in recent years land him in first place on this list.
Due to some consistent and jaw-dropping performances at the heart of Leicester's midfield, Ndidi has seen his market value skyrocket to €60m at the time of writing. The Foxes have done a remarkable job in transforming Ndidi into such a capable and adept defensive midfielder.
In his fourth season with the 2016 Premier League winners, Ndidi managed to make 96 tackles, ranking him very high in this department in the English top-flight league. At 24, the Nigerian is yet to enter his prime years. However, with 17 successful ground duels already this season, as compared to 127 in the entire 2020-21 campaign, his peak will definitely be something to look out for.
Also read: Most valuable Premier League XI at the moment (September 2021)
