Top five players with best dribblers-tackled stats in top five European leagues in 2022-23

Premier League and LaLiga players dominate this list

Defenders are the rock at the back of a team who have to take on every challenge and nullify every threat; however, it is the dribblers who create the problems by sneaking into the flanks and creating goal-scoring opportunities or winning the fouls. Stopping them is something not every defender can do without giving away fouls. Here’s the list of the top five players with the best dribblers-tackled stats in the top 5 European Leagues. Courtesy of FBREF.com, which covers the five major European leagues in 2022–23.

5. Sven Botman (Newcastle United): 22/28 - 78.6% success rate

Sven Botman has made himself one of the strengths in the backline of this energetic Newcastle United. He signed for the Magpies from Lille last summer and turned out to be their ever-present figure, who not only wins aerial balls but also has a knack for stopping the fast-charging players of the Premier League outfit. He has been the missing piece for this Eddie Howie side and one of the reasons for them to finish in the Top 4 after 21 years.

This Danish player has appeared in 36 matches this season in the Premier League, playing a total of 3128 minutes. Sven Botman concedes an average of 0.86 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch, with a clean-sheet ratio currently at 39%. That means Sven Botman has kept a clean sheet in 14 matches out of the 36 that the player has played in. He's made 1.12 tackles and 1.01 interceptions for every 90 minutes he was on the pitch, and he’s also racking up about 3.48 clearances at the same time.

4. Eder Militao (Real Madrid): 26/33 - 78.8% success rate

When he took over at the helm of Real Madrid, he was brought in to take the place of the legendary Sergio Ramos, who was the captain and a leading figure at the club. Since his arrival from Porto, he has made himself at home by winning all the prestigious trophies at the club, including the Copa Del Rey this season. Though they failed to win Europe and LaLiga, he personally made 26 successful tackles against the 33 dribbles he faced.

The Brazilian has appeared in 33 matches this season in LaLiga, playing a total of 2702 minutes, and he concedes an average of 0.93 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch, with a clean sheet ratio of 36%. That means Éder Milito has kept a clean sheet in 12 matches out of the 33 that the player has played in, and he's made 1.47 tackles and 1.33 interceptions for every 90 minutes he was on the pitch. Gabriel Militao is also racking up about 3.33 clearances at the same time and scoring five goals this season in La Liga as well.

3. Daniel Vivian (Athletic Club): 36/45 - 80% success rate

An academy product of Athletic Club, he is turning out to be a potential future prospect after spending his time on loan and being a bench warmer before he was called in to fill the vacant position of centre-back. Now 23 years old, he is probably their first name on the sheet while playing and performing in every match. He was able to contain threats like Vini Jr., Grizemann, Depay, and Pedri when it came to nullifying their dribbles.

The 24-year-old defender, who has appeared in 29 matches this season in LaLiga, playing a total of 2374 minutes, has conceded an average of 0.72 goals for every 90 minutes he’s on the pitch. His clean sheet ratio is currently at 31%, which means Daniel has kept a clean sheet in nine matches out of the 29 that he has played in. He's made 2.12 tackles and 0.91 interceptions for every 90 minutes he's been on the pitch while racking up about 3.15 clearances at the same time.

2. Kim Min-jae (Napoli): 25/29 - 86.2% success rate

Talk about shooting into stardom overnight. This Korean defender was playing for Fenerbahce before he was signed up to replace Koulibaly, who left in a big move to Chelsea. Nobody expected him to be this efficient at the role, but he surprised everyone, including his own coach.

However, all said and done, this defender has not only made his mark on the bigger stages but is also one of the reasons that made Napoli the Champions of Italy. Taking on the fast-paced counterattacks and being a towering presence in front of the offence, he is the potential player Manchester United and other big clubs are looking to pursue away from Naples.

The defender has appeared in 35 matches this season in Serie A, playing a total of 3055 minutes. Min-Jae Kim concedes an average of 0.71 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch, with his clean sheet ratio currently at 46%, which means Min-Jae Kim has kept a clean sheet in 16 matches out of the 35 that the player has played in. He's made 1.62 tackles and 1.24 interceptions for every 90 minutes he was on the pitch, while also racking up about 3.59 clearances at the same time.

1. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United): 23/25 - 92% success rate

Popularly known as Spider-Wan, Aaron's ability to nullify even the most threatening of opponents was evident in the second part of 2022–23, as he largely managed to shut down the likes of Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin, Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma, and, most recently, Jack Grealish, of Manchester City, in his three outings at Wembley.

The only right back on the list that is dominated by the central defenders, he was already showing his skills while at Crystal Palace, and now he has the team and defence around him, which is making him complete 92% of dribbles tackled in such a high-paced league.

The Manchester United defender has appeared in 19 matches this season in the Premier League, playing a total of 1436 minutes. Wan-Bissaka concedes an average of 0.44 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch, and his clean-sheet ratio is currently at 53%, which means Aaron Wan-Bissaka has kept a clean sheet in 10 matches out of the 19 that the player has played in. He's made 2.44 tackles and 1.25 interceptions for every 90 minutes he's been on the pitch and is also racking up about 2.19 clearances at the same time.