Leicester trio and teenage Real Madrid target make Top Tackling XI

Having looked at assists, goals, key passes, dribbles and the most clinical XI, attention turns to Europe's best ball winners in Europe's top five leagues this season. The most tackles XI features 11 players who, between them, have made 809 tackles this term. 

This side would undoubtedly boast a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'stealing the ball from the opposition', and it's highly likely that in itself would be deemed to be Very Strong... 

Goalkeeper: Rune Jarstein (Hertha Berlin) - 4 tackles 

To kick off this tackles XI, Rune Jarstein is the goalkeeper with the most tackles in Europe's top five leagues this season having made four across his 21 league outings this season. Those came in meetings with Mainz, Augsburg, Hoffenheim and Fortuna Duesseldorf and 0.2 tackles per game is level with strikers Luis Suarez and Ciro Immobile this season. 

Right-back: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) - 119 

Having made more tackles (119) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues this season, and 21% of Leicester's total, Ricardo Pereira occupies the right-back spot in this XI ahead of Premier League counterpart and Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka (99 tackles). This return highlights a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'tackling' and has contributed towards his fine WhoScored rating of 7.50. 

Centre-back: Andrei Girotto (Nantes) - 76 

Reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'tackling', Nantes centre-back Andrei Girotto has been a top performing ball winner at the back in Europe's top five leagues this season. The Brazilian has chipped in with 76 tackles, that more than any other centre-back and at least 18 more than any other Nantes player. 

Centre-back: Boubacar Kamara (Marseille) - 67 

Sticking with France, 20-year-old defender Boubacar Kamara has attracted a legion of admirers in France this season and for good reason, too, with the Marseille ace impressing at the back for the Ligue 1 outfit. Indeed, he occupies the second centre-back spot in this XI having made 67 tackles in France's top tier this term. 

Left-back: Jonny (Wolves) - 77 

The final defender in this team is Wolves man Jonny, who continues to put in a number of solid shifts for the Champions League chasing side. The Spaniard has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of 'likes to tackle' and it's for good reason, too, with his 77 tackles enough to feature at left-backk. 

Central midfield: Baptiste Santamaria (Angers) - 91 

Switching back to France to kick off the most battling midfield in Europe. Baptiste Santamaria was linked with a move to Aston Villa last summer, yet the Villans couldn't get the deal over the line and Angers retained the Frenchman's services, much to their delight. His 91 tackles is enough to make the grade in a tenacious midfield three. 

Central midfield: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) - 91 

The second of three Leicester representatives in this XI, the Foxes' performances have been sub-par in Wilfred Ndidi's absence this season and for good reason, too. The all-action Nigerian has the knack of alleviating pressure on the defence with ease as his 91 tackles suggests. 

Central midfield: Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes) - 107 

The final midfielder and Ligue 1 representative is highly-rated Rennes teenager Eduardo Camavinga, whose 107 tackles is second only to Ricardo Pereira in Europe's top five leagues. The 17-year-old is enjoying a fine breakthrough campaign in France and his excellent performances have attracted interest from a number of Europe's elite sides, including Real Madrid and Liverpool. 

Right wing: Emiliano Buendia (Norwich) - 65 

Working hard from the front, Emiliano Buendia's best efforts to help Norwich stave off relegation may yet be in vein, yet the Argentine boasts a statistically calculated strength of 'defensive contribution' and deservedly so. Buendia has 65 tackles to his name and he has done his reputation no harm in a fine a Premier League debut campaign. 

Striker: Richarlison (Everton) - 59 

Spearheading the charge on the frontline is Everton star Richarlison. The Brazilian ranks second for tackles (59) of all Toffees players in the Premier League this season and his defending from the front to go with his 10 league goals has not only endeared him to supporters, but helped justify his inclusion in the Premier League best XI. 

Left wing: James Maddison (Leicester) - 53 

The third and final Leicester representative rounds off the XI as James Maddison makes the cut with his 53 tackles. The Foxes boast a strength of 'stealing the ball from the opposition' and it's evidently deserved with each of Leicester's top three tacklers featuring.