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#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.
