The five most effective tacklers so far in 2024/25
In the rough and tumble world of central defenders, there's an art to knowing when - and how - to make sure your opponent doesn't get the ball. bundesliga.com runs the rule over the five players who have proven most effective in challenging so far this season.
1. Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), 68.4 percent
Jonathan Tah is not only the Bundesliga player who wins the highest percentage of duels, he also has the best pass completion rate - having additionally topped the league for percentage of successful passes last season. This season, the accomplished Germany international has added significantly improved duel performance to his resumé, taking his success rate from 61.3 percent (not even in the top 10 in the league) to an unsurpassed 68.4 percent (among players to have played at least two-thirds of possible playing time). Incredible stats from the dependable defender, who is once again leading from the back in a team that has lost just once this season - and which went into the winter break in second on the back of a five-match winning streak.
2. Eric Smith (St. Pauli), 66.2 percent
An integral part of the St. Pauli side that claimed Bundesliga 2 gold last season, Eric Smith is proving in the current campaign that he has the quality to mix it in the top flight. Smith has been particularly efficient in challenges since August and his performances have helped the Hamburg club to precious clean-sheet away wins over Freiburg and Hoffenheim, boosting their bid to avoid relegation in their first top-flight campaign in 13 years.
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