Experts: Top 5 tacklers in Europe

Midfielders who can defend are pretty much a prerequisite these days for any team with ambitions of making it anywhere, such is the widespread use of false nines, trequartistas and other new-fangled concepts seizing hold of football. So who are the top tacklers in Europe today?

5. Benjamin Andre (Ajaccio), 29 Tackles

The first entry in our top five with 29 successful tackles so far this campaign, Ajaccio’s Benjamin Andre is actually an attacking midfielder by trade but he doesn’t let that get in the way of a good crunching tackle.

An average of eight defensive actions a game hints at an all-action nature, but Andre isn’t all that bad on the ball either – completing an average 74% of his passes.