The 2020/21 Premier League season may only be a couple of months old, but we are already beginning to see plenty of interesting statistics emerge in England’s top-flight.
Son Heung-min and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are leading the race for the Golden Boot, while Rui Patricio sits at the top of the Golden Glove charts.
But who has won the most tackles in the Premier League this season? Here are the top five tacklers in the division.
It feels like Everton have been crying out for a tenacious defensive midfielder for years, doesn’t it? The Toffees have lacked bite in the middle of the park in seasons gone by, but Allan seems to have solved that problem.
Carlo Ancelotti poached Allan from former club Napoli for £22.5m during the summer transfer window, and the Brazilian has made an instant impact. He has started six of Everton’s seven Premier League games this term but has still managed to rack up the most tackles in the division.
Southampton’s attacking players have been getting a lot of attention lately. Danny Ings has started the season in fine goalscoring form, while James Ward-Prowse has caught the eye with his free-kicks. But Oriel Romeu is somewhat of an unsung hero for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
The combative Spaniard is closing in on a double century of appearances for Saints, and he just keeps on getting better. Romeu’s tackles have helped Southampton to achieve four wins in their last five outings and keep the pressure on the early frontrunners.
Andros Townsend has generally featured on the right side of a front three for Crystal Palace this season, but remarkably, the hard-working winger is still among the top five tacklers in the Premier League.
Roy Hodgson's side are known for their relentless work-rate, with every player expected to track back and help the defence, regardless of their position. Townsend contributed one goal and two assists across the opening three matchdays, yet his defensive efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.
Stuart Dallas played every second of Leeds’ first six Premier League games this season, before being substituted late on against Leicester last time out. It’s safe to say the versatile 29-year-old is an integral part of Marcelo Bielsa’s team.
Dallas has predominantly featured at left-back this term, although he has played at right-back and also in defensive midfield. His willingness to adapt and throw himself into challenges makes him one of the top tacklers in the division.
The fact that Tyrick Mitchell is the second Crystal Palace player on this list speaks volumes about Hodgson’s side. The young left-back has been a revelation for the Eagles this season, starting all but one of their league games so far.
At just 21, Mitchell plays with a maturity well beyond his years. If he keeps putting in solid performances, it will surely only be a matter of time before the country’s top clubs come calling.