It’s not easy to be tackler in football these days.

The laws are increasingly moving towards protecting attacking players, and some would argue contact is in danger of being taken out of the game altogether.

But, these five men are still (mostly) getting away with it. Their stock is in tackles and interceptions and winning the ball for the creative players ahead of them to exploit.

We start with Liverpool’s Brazil international Lucas Leiva, who has been sorely missed in their midfield this season.

Next up is Daniele De Rossi, who has been biting into tackles at Roma for as long as we can remember.

At three is Chelsea enforcer Michael Essien, followed by another Premier League scrapper plying his trade in London—Tottenham’s Scott Parker.

Completing the list is Barcelona’s water carrier par excellence, Javier Mascherano.

 

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