'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A football team tries to do everything in its power to win the ball back from the opposition as soon as possible. The quicker the ball is won, the more time they get to stitch passes together and eventually find the back of the net.
One of the techniques to retrieve the ball is called 'pressing', in which a team applies constant pressure on the players in possession of the ball. By chasing doggedly and cutting out passing lanes, teams force the opposition to play a loose pass or simply give the ball away.
When done effectively, a good pressing system can dismantle any team in the world and greatly increase the chances of a victory.
Today, we will take a look at some Premier League teams who have mastered the art of pressing.
Here are six Premier League teams with the most successful pressures in the 2021-22 campaign:
#6 Liverpool - 870 pressures
Jurgen Klopp’s famous 'Gegenpressing' system has gotten the better of some of the most decorated teams in the world. Klopp’s system does not only press the opposition out of possession, but it also tends to help Liverpool win the ball back in advanced positions.
This makes sure the Reds can create goalscoring opportunities with only a couple of neat passes.
Liverpool have attempted 2722 presses in the Premier League this season. Out of their attempts, 870 have been successful. With a success rate of 32 percent, Liverpool are currently the most efficient pressing team in the Premier League.
#5 Brighton & Hove Albion - 879 pressures
Brighton & Hove Albion have not been able to make their chances count as well as Liverpool, but they have certainly made life difficult for opponents.
The Seagulls like to put the opposition under pressure across the pitch and make a break for it as soon as possible.
This season, Brighton have attempted a total of 2805 presses, completing 879 of them. As expected, most of their presses have come in midfield and in their own half.
They have only attempted 737 presses in the attacking third of the pitch in the Premier League this season.
#4 Southampton - 897 pressures
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton are unfortunately in the bottom half of the Premier League table. However, that does not mean they have not been an exciting team to watch this season.
They have tried their best to keep the opposition on their toes and be as adventurous as possible.
Southampton have attempted 2904 presses this season, winning 897. While 748 of those have come in the final third, the mid-third saw 1239 pressing attempts, which is impressive for a 14th-placed team.
#3 Chelsea - 927 pressures
Despite enduring some hiccups in the Premier League, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea have done fairly well for themselves. They are currently in second position and are leading third-placed Liverpool by a solitary point, having played a game more than the Reds.
Thomas Tuchel’s 3-4-2-1 system is heavily dependent on pressing. The Blues love to win back possession as quickly as possible, which is evident by the number of presses they have attempted in the Premier League this season.
Out of their 2976 pressing attempts, 793 have come in the attacking third, hinting at their knack for winning back possession in the opposition half. Overall, they have won 927 presses, attaining an accuracy of 31.1 percent.
Chelsea have heavily benefitted from the energy of Reece James and Mason Mount this season. So whenever the duo don't feature, Chelsea’s intensity and shape take a massive nosedive.
While Mount should be a regular in Tuchel’s team over the remainder of the season, James’ hamstring tear could rule him out for weeks.
The Blues are currently assessing the situation and could even look for a capable deputy in the winter transfer window.
#2 Crystal Palace - 932 pressures
Former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira has taken it upon himself to turn Crystal Palace’s fortunes around.
Palace, who are 11th in the table, are still far from being one of the Premier League’s elites, but the early signs seem to be quite promising.
Crystal Palace’s brand of football has starkly improved and they have evolved into a lean, mean pressing machine. They have attempted the most presses in the Premier League this season (3126), completing 932 of those.
As expected, a big chunk (1116) of those presses have come in the defensive third, but that’s hardly embarrassing for an up-and-coming mid-table team.
#1 Leeds United - 951 pressures
Marcelo Bielsa’s football philosophy was enough to conquer the Championship for Leeds United. Unfortunately, the Premier League has turned out to be a whole different ball game for the Argentine mastermind.
Leeds United’s football is still one of the most entertaining in the division, but their high-pressing is leaving them vulnerable against the top dogs.
The 16th-placed team may be lagging behind in the most important metrics, but they can surely take heart from their pressing statistics. The Whites have won 951 of their 3118 attempted presses in the Premier League this season, which puts them at the very top of our list.
If they can just find a way to plug the holes in their defense, they could at least guarantee another season in the English top-flight.
