Want to know which current defenders make the most tackles on average per Premier League game? Well, here we reveal the identity of the top 10 ….
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10) Chico Flores (Swansea City) – 2.5 Tackles Per Game (TPG)
The imposing former Spain Under-21 international is one of the Premier League’s real hard men, so it is no great shock to find the centre back appearing in this particular top 10 list, with the 26-year-old’s average of two-and-a-half tackles per Premier League game just seeing him sneak in here at No 1o.
9) Gael Clichy (Manchester City) – 2.6 TPG
The skilful France international’s game may be best characterised by the forward runs that he often makes from the back, however, the left back is also a sound defender too with a penchant for tacking, as evidenced by the 2.6 that he makes on average in every top-flight fixture so far this season.
8) Angel Rangel (Swansea City) – 2.8 TPG
The experienced Spanish full back has been a reliable presence on the right-hand side of the Swans’ back four for the past seven years, while this season has been no different from the 31-year-old, who has averaged 2.8 tackles per game in the Premier League for the South Wales strugglers.
7) Leighton Baines (Everton) – 3 TPG
The reliable England international is renowned for his stability and calmness at the back, and this season has been no different from the attack-minded left back, however, Baines is certainly not afraid to put his foot in either when called upon.
6) Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) – 3.1 TPG
No real surprises to find the name of a Stoke City defender here in this top 1o list, with the 28-year-old United States international renowned for his no-nonsense tough-tackling style of play at the Britannia stadium.
5) Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United) – 3.2 TPG
Again, a rather expected name to be appearing here, with the Magpies’ French right back one of the more aggressive defenders currently plying their trade in the Premier League, as signified by the number of sending-offs that the player has had so far in his short career at St James’ Park.
4) Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) – 3.5 TPG
The Eagles have really given themselves a chance of staying in the Premier League following the arrival of Tony Pulis in the Selhurst Park dugout last November, with the Welshman having introduced a defensive solidity to the south-east London club, a feature epitomised by Ward’s average tackle count per league match standing at three and a half.
3) Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) – 3.5 TPG
The Spanish full back has been an absolute revelation at the back at Stamford Bridge so far this season, but in an unfamiliar left-back role, and one of the many reasons that Blues boss Jose Mourinho is so fond of the player is because he is a defender first and foremost, with Azpilicueta loving nothing better than a good old-fashioned tackle.
2) Erik Pieters (Stoke City) – 3.7 TPG
The Potters’ Netherlands international left back has slipped seamlessly into the club’s back four since first arriving at the Britannia stadium from Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven last year, and that is partly because the 25-year-old loves to put his foot in, which Pieters does on average 3.7 times per league match.
1) Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City) – 3.9 TPG
The Blues’ marauding right back may be best known for his attacking runs down the right flank, however, the highly rated Argentinian is also a fine defender too and an extremely hard man to get past, especially the 29-year-old absolutely relishes the physical side of the game too.
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