Ranking the 5 best tacklers at Chelsea right now 

Who is the best tackler at Chelsea right now?
Who is the best tackler at Chelsea right now?

Chelsea started the season on a strong front and have capitalized on the momentum as they have progressed through the campaign. They sit at the summit of both the Premier League table and their Champions League group. Thomas Tuchel's side have not exposed any substantial weakness to be exploited.

Last season, Chelsea were criticized for not scoring goals with free flow. Their strike rate wasn't exactly worrying but sources of goals were limited in the squad, with Jorginho being their top scorer last season with seven to his name.

Chelsea have been very disciplined while defending under Thomas Tuchel

So far this season, goals have come in from all parts of the pitch for Chelsea, especially with their wingbacks in a rich vein of form. Yet Paris Saint Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino described them as a "defensive team." Chelsea's fitting reply to the Argentine came in the form of a 4-0 thumping victory against Juventus.

Pochettino wasn't wrong with what he said, in fact Chelsea have performed their defensive duties with great fervor and that's wrong by no means. They have struck the right balance between attack and defense and their transitions have been well on point.

Great credit goes to the efficiency with which they have been able to stop opponents from building counter-attacks. Let's take a look at the five players responsible for giving Chelsea the defensive edge with their precise and decisive tackles:

Note: All stats via FBref and are based purely on the current season


#5 Trevor Chalobah

Chelsea FC v Juventus: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Chelsea FC v Juventus: Group H - UEFA Champions League

From being in conversation for his fourth loan spell since 2018 to becoming Tuchel's regular rotation player, Trevor Chalobah deserves lots of praise. The 22-year old has admitted that this has been quite a dream-like experience for him.

Chalobah has already featured for Chelsea in 12 games so far, completing full 90 minutes on seven occasions. He made the perfect debut for Chelsea in the Premier League by scoring against Crystal Palace.

In his most recent game, he scored his first Champions League goal in his first start in the competition against Juventus.

But his goal-scoring instinct is only an additional bonus to what his capable defensive abilities are. The English defender, despite playing games in rotation, is Chelsea's fifth best tackler with a total of 15 tackles made. On eight of those occasions, he recovered the ball for his side.

With Thiago Silva in the twilight of his career, Tuchel will be happy to find a perfect replacement without spending huge bucks. The Brazilian and Antonio Rudiger are great company to have for any young centre-back and Chalobah will make the most of their presence.


#4 Antonio Rüdiger

Chelsea FC v Juventus: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Chelsea FC v Juventus: Group H - UEFA Champions League

With each passing game, it is becoming more perplexing as to why Chelsea are delaying Antonio Rudiger's new contract. The German has been a vital cog for the Blues in their defense and his galloping runs from the back while progressing the ball have been very effective.

He has missed only one Premier League match for Chelsea this campaign and has been contributing in the offensive part of the game as well. The 28-year old has registered two assists in the Champions League and scored two goals in the Premier League.

But the enhancement in his attacking game has not come at the cost of his defending abilities. He has only been dribbled past thrice in the Premier League by an opposition player, the least of all, in Chelsea's rearguard. He has made 16 tackles and 11 interceptions so far.

Latest reports have suggested that both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are weighing their chances of luring the Chelsea defender. The Blues better hurry and get the negotiations sorted or it will be too little too late.

#3 Cesar Azpilicueta

Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League

Many call him the bargain of the decade from Chelsea's point of view and it's difficult to argue against that claim. Cesar Azpilicueta has been nothing short of a soldier for the Blues for almost a decade now. He's rallied at various positions in the back-line, in different systems and given his best.

The Spaniard is still going strong for the Premier League giants at 32 and has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season. There's one thing that you always get from Azpilicueta in abundance and that is crosses low and high, drilled from the right flank. His ability to find the target man remains top-notch, having already assisted on three occasions this season.

The Spanish international has also been significantly better at defending than many regulars in the squad despite less game time. He has made the most blocks for Chelsea (20) and has also registered 19 tackles. Azpilicueta has also been impressive with his pressing, and has recorded higher numbers than both Ben Chilwell and Reece James in the department.


#2 Jorginho

Malmo FF v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Malmo FF v Chelsea FC: Group H - UEFA Champions League

It has been a great year for Jorginho as far as personal glory is concerned. A Champions League medal and a Euro 2020 winner's medal in the same year have seen him enter the conversation for a Ballon d'Or podium finish. Only time will tell if his exploits will favor him with the biggest award of the year, but Jorginho isn't one to sit on past achievements.

He continued his job in midfield for Chelsea, just where he left off last season. He has been the best player for Tuchel's team in terms of pressing the opposition, although he has also been dribbled past the most (24) this season. But Jorginho made up for his lack of attention at times by putting in 26 tackles.

He has also made an impressive 20 interceptions and, just like always, the Italian has not let his team down from the penalty spot, scoring thrice. Chelsea may soon start thinking of finding a successor to Jorginho, who's now 30 and may not be starting every game next season onwards.


#1 Mateo Kovacic

Chelsea FC v Zenit St. Petersburg: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Chelsea FC v Zenit St. Petersburg: Group H - UEFA Champions League

Arguably an early contender for Chelsea's Player of the Season come the end of the campaign, Mateo Kovacic has shown his best version in a Blues shirt this term. He has been a complete midfielder for Tuchel this season, providing creativity, cutting edge and even physicality in defense.

He has registered the most Premier League assists in the squad (5), a part of his game that was lacking in the previous few seasons. However, it is important that he continues to do this and his midfield partners provide him with the necessary cushion.

Kovacic has also shown a sturdy and rough side to his game, managing 26 tackles, the most by a Chelsea player in the Premier League. He has been as effective as Jorginho in pressing higher and winning the ball in advantageous areas. The Croatian also tops the list for creating the most chances for a shot.

The Chelsea No.8 has been out of the squad since the end of October due to an injury and will likely miss a few more games. Tuchel will hope he's back in the squad with a busy December period approaching.

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Edited by Nived Zenith