5 defensive midfielders with the best tackling ability in the world right now

#3 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)

Kante is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League

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.

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#2 Yves Bissouma (Brighton and Hove Albion)

Bissouma is linked with many top European clubs

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.

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#1 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)

Ndidi will be crucial to Leicester's season

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.

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