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The English Premier League is known for producing high-octane football week in and week out. The action is relentless throughout the 90 minutes and rarely disappoints. The pace and intensity of the English top-flight has seen many established players struggle after moving from foreign leagues.
Some teams love to press relentlessly in the Premier League
The most successful teams in the Premier League are the ones that can sustain pressure and when the opportunity comes, press with even higher intensity. Many teams like to play out from the back, but when you have an opposition that presses high and comes right on to catch you, the resilience is truly tested.
Some players in the English top-flight have used their great reserves of stamina to help their team in successful pressure situations. They might not have impressive numbers otherwise, but their contribution to the goal stands out in this manner.
Here are the rankings of the five players with the most successful presses in the Premier League this season.
#5 Jack Grealish
Manchester City broke the bank for Jack Grealish in the summer last year and signed him for a Premier League transfer record of €117.5 million.
He was the center of attraction when he played for Aston Villa and everything flowed through him. Grealish carried the ball, used to string clever passes and progress play, create chances, provide assists and even score goals.
But at the Etihad, he joined a star-studded team where the competition is high and every player is world-class. As a result, the 26-year-old has not had the impact many expected. At least in terms of numbers, he hasn't.
Despite playing on his preferred left wing, Grealish has only struck two goals and has provided two assists in 17 Premier League appearances this season. Given the price tag the former Aston Villa man has been signed for, this is quite disappointing.
However, the versatile forward is helping his team in one other department. Grealsih is Manchester City's most successful player when it comes to pressing the opposition in the English top-flight. His pressures have been successful 73 times and with a success rate of 38.6 per cent.
This is exactly why Pep Guardiola keeps giving him regular opportunities. He sees the impact the winger makes when he's on the pitch and how the team benefits from it. Now it's up to Grealish to start stacking numbers and shushing his doubters and critics.
#4 Alexis Mac Allister
It has taken some time for Alexis Mac Allister to find his feet in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion. He was signed by the English club in January 2019 from Argentinos Juniors. He spent the rest of the season on loan before joining Brighton in June.
Another loan move to Boca Juniors followed, before the attacking midfielder became a part of the squad in January 2020. He was a bit-part player last season but has become a prominent member of Graham Potter's squad this campaign.
The Argentine has shown an impressive work rate and is among the best pressers in the Premier League. Out of his 270 press attempts, Mac Allister has been successful on 105 occasions.
The 23-year old has repaid his manager's faith and has found the back of the net four times in the League along with two assists.
#3 Pascal Struijk
Liam Cooper, Leeds United captain, believes Pascal Struijk has every quality to become one of the best centre-backs in world football in the future. The 22-year old has had his struggles with injury this season, but has still managed 16 Premier League appearances.
On every occasion that he has played, Struijk has been extremely impressive and has shown versatality by playing as a left-back and in defensive midfield as well. He has a great leap which helps the player win a lot of aerial duels.
While isolated one-on-one against the attackers, Struijk has shown that he can hold his ground extremely well too. The Premier League demands a certain physicality and the Dutchman has shown he is up for the challenge. The Leeds defender is extremely composed with the ball at his feet and is a great passer.
This attribute allows him to actively get involved with his team's pressing tactics despite playing in the rearguard. Struijk boasts a success rate of 39.9 per cent when he applies the press and has 97 successful attempts at pressing in the Premier League.
#2 Grant Hanley
Norwich City are the bottom-placed side in the Premier League and seem destined for a drop to the Championship this season. They have only managed to gather 17 points from 25 games.
Captain Grant Hanley is the commander-in-chief of the rearguard that has the worst goal difference in the Premier League (-38). They have conceded 53 goals so far in the English top-flight.
While the club's overall stats are abysmal, the captain has done his bit to help the team and help his own reputation.
The 30-year-old has made 20 appearances in the Premier League and also scored in Norwich's 2-1 victory against Southampton earlier in the season. The Scot is among the most successful players when it comes to pressing with a success rate of 40.1 per cent. From his 167 attempts at pressing the opposition, he has been able to convert the pressure 67 times.
Dean Smith has steadied the ship since taking charge of the Canaries, but saving them from relegation is a different ball game.
#1 Mohamed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu is finally getting to show his quality in the Premier League and has emerged as a colassal figure in the Southampton backline. He arrived at the English club in 2020 from Real Sociedad but suffered serious injuries that limited him to only 12 appearances in the English top-flight.
The Ghanian has sustained his fitness this season and has only missed one Premier League game so far. Salisu is at the top of the charts when it comes to creating pressure and boasts a 40.3 per cent success rate. He has attempted 243 presses and has converted 96 times for his team.
The centre-back has emerged as a rock at the back and has established a reputation as a tough tackler. This is not the only list he tops.
Salisu has made the most interceptions (58) in the English top-flight as well. The defender has been extremely successful so far and stands out while marking his man.
He suffocates the space and gives very little freedom to the attackers. The Saints are heading towards a top-half finish in the Premier League and Salisu deserves as much credit as anyone else in that team and even more. The question is, for how long will Southampton be able to keep him in their ranks?
