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How important are tackles in football?
The main objective of football is scoring more goals than the opposition team and goalkeepers have the responsibility of preventing such goals by keeping the ball out of the net. However, it is not feasible to let the goalkeeper face endless shots on goal. The ball must be recovered by the outfield players as much as possible.
Tackles, along with interceptions and pressure, are the primary forms of winning the ball back. Among them, tackling is by far the most visually pleasing form of defending. Any defensive player loves making a standing or sliding tackle to regain possession of the ball.
Midfielders lead the way for most tackles in 2021
Contrary to popular belief, midfielders make more tackles than defenders. Centre-backs tend not to risk getting beaten by opposition attackers, as that would leave the goalkeeper stranded in a one-on-one situation. Defensive midfielders are usually the ones who fly into challenges.
The five players who made the most challenges among the top five leagues in 2021 are all midfielders. Four of these footballers ply their trade in Ligue 1. Without any further ado, let’s find out who these tackling machines are.
#5 Wilfred Ndidi (67 tackles)
Wilfred Ndidi has earned a reputation for being one of the best ball-winning midfielders across Europe. The midfielder’s absence is hugely felt by Leicester City when he is suspended or injured. He made 67 tackles last year, the most by any Premier League player.
Despite missing a few matches through injury, Ndidi still made enough tackles to warrant a place on the list. He made a tackle every 40 minutes, which is a better metric than the four players on the list with more overall tackles than the 25-year-old.
His partnership with the more industrious Youri Tielemans is one of the best in the Premier League. Leicester may have slid down the table this season due to their defensive woes. However, Ndidi’s tackling has still been top-notch.
#4 Laurent Abergel (68 tackles)
Laurent Abergel is one of several French players who made numerous tackles last year. The Lorient midfielder made a total of 68 tackles, with an average of two tackles every match. He was one of the best defensive-minded midfielders in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign.
Abergel won a whopping 108 tackles last season, the most in the French league. The 28-year-old also applied pressure to opponents 958 times, more than any other player in Ligue 1 this season.
The Marseille youth academy graduate was joint-highest with AS Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni in terms of tackles + interceptions. Lorient's vice-captain has been a nailed-on starter for Christophe Pélissier and will be critical in their relegation battle.
#3 Mahdi Camara (69 tackles)
Mahdi Camara is a French footballer who plays for Saint-Etienne. The Ligue 1 midfielder made 69 tackles in 2021, averaging around one tackle every 47 minutes. Since the appointment of Claude Puel as manager, he has established himself as a first team player.
Camara attempted over 100 tackles last season and won 71 of them. He is equally adept at making tackles in the defensive third and center of the field. At the tender age of 23, he captains Saint-Etienne, which is one of the most historic clubs in French football.
Saint-Etienne are currently bottom of the table and have lost their last six Ligue 1 games. If the record 10-time Ligue 1 winners get relegated this term, Mahdi Camara will surely be snapped up by a club that plays in the top flight.
#2 Benjamin Andre (69 tackles)
Benjamin Andre was simply brilliant during the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season. His exploits earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season. Although his main attributes are his defence and stamina, his passing ability makes him an all-round midfielder.
Andre has been even better this season. The Frenchman has won 41 of the 63 tackles he made, with an outstanding success rate of 65%. He also ranks high in terms of applying pressure and making interceptions, which ranks him among the best defensive midfielders in the league.
The Lille midfielder is in his early 30s now. The Ligue 1 winner has been a consistent performer over the years. Given his versatility and utility in midfield, it will be a shame if he hands up his boots without earning a national cap for France.
#1 Aurelien Tchouameni (71 tackles)
French wonderkid Aurelien Tchouameni is the fourth Ligue 1 midfielder to earn a spot on this list. The exciting talent won 71 tackles last year in what was a breakthrough year for the 21-year-old. He is on the wishlist of several European clubs.
The talented Frenchman has been touted as the next N’Golo Kante due to his workrate and defensive prowess. Standing at 6’2”, Tchouameni has a tall presence in midfield. If he keeps doing the right things, he can go on to become a world class midfielder.
Tchouameni won 97 tackles during the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, which is a major reason why he topped the yearly charts for tackles. He has already won 36 tackles in the on-going season. He will be keen to help Monaco secure Champions League football by finishing in the top four this campaign.
