FEW things satisfy football fans like a perfectly-executed tackle.
This season, players are able to earn Dream Team points through tackles - one for every two registered in the context of any given fixture.
This improvement means greater recognition for the individuals who excel in the defensive side of the game.
Dream Team gaffers shouldn't centre their strategy around tackles but they should be aware of which players are performing best in that particular metric so far this campaign.
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Without further ado...
MOST POINTS FROM TACKLES THIS SEASON:
- Marvelous Nakamba (£1.9m) - 16 pts
- Joao Palhinha (£3.1m) - 15 pts
- James Garner (£2m) - 14 pts
- Conor Gallagher (£2.9m) - 13 pts
- Lucas Paqueta (£3.7m) - 13 pts
- Casemiro (£4.2m) - 12 pts
- Yves Bissouma (£2.9m) - 11 pts
- Solly March (£3.4m) - 11 pts
- Amadou Onana (£2.4m) - 11 pts
- Matty Cash (£3.1m) - 11 pts
- Vitaliy Mykolenko (£2.3m) - 11 pts
Much has been made of the newly-promoted clubs' struggles this term so it's perhaps not a surprise to see Luton's Nakamba at the top of the pile.
He leads the way with 37 tackles in 2023/24 with the Hatters' defensive midfielder often worked off his feet in the middle of the park.
In fact, over half of the 29-year-old's total points (31) have come through tackles.
Those who like their stats will have expected Palhinha's lofty ranking too.
Fulham's midfield general was in a league of his own in terms of Premier League tackles last season and he's right up there again this campaign despite missing the first couple of games while sidelined.
However, the Portugal international's overall tally of 39 points is modest.
The same can't be said for Garner, Paqueta and Casemiro, who are all among the top 15 midfielders in Dream Team at this stage.
This trio have topped up their returns with tackles while also registering the necessary goal involvements to reach that next level.
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As for Gallagher, he's mustered just one assist and is yet to score this season but he's quietly done a lot of the donkey work for Chelsea.
The England international's efforts are reflected by his respectable tally of 12 bonus points and his healthy tackle total.
If the Blues' homegrown midfielder can improve his tangible attacking output he may well be a smart bargain option somewhere down the line - he's relatively viable now.
March is another notable inclusion as, like Paqueta, his primary job is to provide a spark in the final third but he's supplementing those attacking returns with a steady stream of tackle points.
Cash is Dream Team's fourth-most popular defender at the time of writing and with good reason.
Aston Villa's No2 is a potent attacking threat - he leads the way with eight shots on target among assets in his position - but that doesn't mean he shirks his defensive duties.
The Poland right-back is like two players in one and still affordable at £3.1m.
Keep an eye on the tackle stats as the season progresses - every little helps!
