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Thanks to the thrill-a-minute and largely end-to-end nature of the Premier League, players who can put in a shift week in and week out are vital to every team. The high-octane action can pass you by or knock you out if you can't keep up.
Most Premier League teams have combative defensive midfielders
The easiest way for a team to lose in such an environment would be to have a midfield populated by players who cannot match the rigors of the league. Getting overrun in midfield is a major concern for coaches and unless midfielders can soldier up and fight battles in midfield, their teams will be vulnerable.
That extra bit of cover in front of defence is necessary for every team. Defensive midfield is a position that requires a player who is adept at winning the ball back and distributing it to get their team on the front foot again.
Winning the ball back in midfield is no easy task. Players need to possess the ability to read the game and predict what's going to happen in order to intervene and get in there before the opposition.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the five Premier League midfielders with the most number of interceptions in the 2021-22 season so far.
#5 Christian Norgaard (Brentford) - 13 interceptions
Newly promoted Brentford have been the surprise package of the new Premier League season. They have been fearless and enterprising and have produced some scintillating performances in the opening stages of the new season.
Critical to their fight is Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard, who is a sprightly presence in midfield. Norgaard has made a total of 13 interceptions so far this term. He has been a standout performer for Brentford on a number of occasions already this term.
Norgaard is also a pretty decent tackler and has won nearly fifty percent of his duels so far this season.
#4 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) - 14 interceptions
Tottenham Hotspur got off to an ideal start to the new Premier League campaign beating reigning champions Manchester City in their season opener. However, after picking up a couple more narrow wins, they have wilted.
Spurs have lost four of their nine games so far and are fortunate to still be sitting sixth in the table. Amid all the inconsistency, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been a dependable presence in midfield for Nuno Espirito Santo's men.
Hojbjerg has made 14 interceptions in nine Premier League appearances so far. The Danish international is also tidy in possession and averages close to 70 passes per game with a pass completion rate of 89.3%.
#3 Josh Brownhill (Burnley) - 15 interceptions
Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill is a combative midfielder whose defensive abilities are far superior to his playmaking skills. The 25-year-old has already gained a reputation for being excellent at winning the ball back. He is also adept at both ground and aerial duels.
However, his passing has been far from exemplary and has a 77.6% pass completion rate. The Englishman will need to iron out those deficiencies from his game and if he does so, he could become a well-rounded midfielder. Brownhill has made a total of 15 interceptions in nine appearances so far this term.
#2 Wilfried Ndidi (Leicester City) - 15 interceptions
Wilfried Ndidi has already established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. The Nigerian international adds a lot of bite to Leicester City's midfield and he is a vital cog in Brendan Rodgers' set-up.
Ndidi has made a total of 15 interceptions from just six matches. The defensive side of his game has always been top-notch. He has won 18 tackles so far this term and has won more than half of his aerial duels as well.
The Foxes can always count on the 24-year-old to bring plenty of energy to midfield. He will be vital to their Champions League aspirations this term as well.
#1 Declan Rice (West Ham United) - 18 interceptions
Manchester United were heavily linked with Declan Rice in the summer up until they signed Cristiano Ronaldo. In hindsight, it looks like a terrible decision despite the goals that Ronaldo has scored. The Red Devils weren't lacking in the goalscoring department but their midfield was and continues to be in shambles.
Declan Rice would have been a great signing for them. But for now, he continues to be West Ham United's midfield lynchpin. Rice's excellent reading of the game and workrate makes him a thorn in the neck of the opposition.
He has also made 21 tackles at a success rate of 67%. The 22-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. His passing has improved significantly as well this term with him averaging a pass completion rate of 92.5% in the Premier League after nine appearances.
Rice is one of the most sought-after defensive midfielders in England right now and is now a regular for the Three Lions as well.
