The 10 Players With the Most Tackles Since the Recording of Premier League Stats Began in 2006/07

There aren't many better things to witness on a football pitch than a really good crunching tackle. An absolute slobber-knocker, a real cruncher, an out of order hack. Ah yes, fabulous.

Plenty of brilliant tacklers have blessed the Premier League over the years. A number of names spring to mind, but who are the ultimate pit bulls in the history of England's top flight? 

Here's the definitive run down of the Premier League's top ten tacklers, with the statistics taken from the Premier League website . 

*(2006-07 onwards)

10. Antonio Valencia

Creeping his way into the top ten is Antonio Valencia, Manchester United right back and all round terrific footballer.

Starting his Old Trafford career off as a winger, the Ecuadorian has slowly transitioned into the model full back, showing explosive power, great pace and acute positioning to become one of the Red Devils' best players.

As Jose Mourinho pointed out earlier this summer, Valencia may now struggle with injuries as he gets older, but his desire to play and win tackles for his club will remain as strong as ever.

9. James Milner (745)

The signing of James Milner wasn't greeted with universal applause from Liverpool fans back in 2015, but in a world filled with astronomical transfer fees, this free signing definitely holds up.

He has played in midfield, on the wing and at full back but regardless of where he is positionally, Milner is always good for a cheeky tackle here and there.

Look at that picture. That just tells you that Jimmy Milner isn't afraid.

8. Leighton Baines (754)

Leighton Baines is what you would call, 'a proper English defender'. He evens sports a moustache nowadays. What's not to love?

Regrettably underutilised by England due to Ashley Cole's stranglehold on the left back position, Baines has been a consistent performer for the Toffees since joining from Wigan in 2007, even if his appearances have been limited in recent years due to injuries.

Lucas Digne recently joined Everton but that won't deter Baines from attempting to be the Premier League's finest full back with the finest moustache.  

7. Mark Noble (761)

West Ham captain Mark Noble is the tough midfielder every Hammers fan loves. Still with the Irons 14 years after making his debut, the 31-year-old is rightly adored by his supporters, even if the rest of us aren't quite sure what all the fuss is about.

A tally of 761 tackles is impressive for Noble, especially when you account for the former Ipswich loanee's seasons in the Championship.

He still hasn't received that England call-up. Will this year be his year? Meh, we'll see.

6. Lee Cattermole (776)

If you pick up seven Premier League red cards in your career, it's fair to say you've made a few good challenges here, and a few mistimed ones there.

That, in a nutshell, is Lee Cattermole. A player with tremendous energy, Cattermole was never scared to make his presence felt, even if it eventually meant taking his post-match shower half an hour early.

The former England Under-21 international joined Sunderland in 2009 and is still plying his trade with the Black Cats, having previously featured at Middlesbrough and Wigan.

5. Scott Parker (824)

A real terrier in midfield, Scott Parker's best season came during the 2011/12 with Tottenham, which led to his inclusion in England's squad for Euro 2012.

Breaking up play was Parker's forte, and he would regularly win the ball back, smothering attacks in the process, to allow his side's more attacking players to get forward and score goals.

Now a coach at Fulham, Parker also had stints with Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham, and won 18 caps for the Three Lions.

4. Pablo Zabaleta (888)

City fans have so much love and admiration for Pablo Zabaleta, who was perhaps world class at his peak when City won the league title for the first time in 2012.

A really tough tackler with exceptional positional play, the 33-year-old held down the right back spot for a number of years at the Etihad and is seen as a club legend.

He was bought just before the club was purchased by Sheikh Mansour, but proved to be one of the most frugal pieces of business ever done by City at just £6.45m from Espanyol.

3. Gael Clichy (927)

Probably not an all time Premier League, but Gael Clichy's eye for a tackle served him well, earning the former France international third place on this list.

Part of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' and winner of two top flight crowns with Manchester City, Clichy has had more than a decent career, even if he is edging towards retirement with Turkish outfit Istanbul Basaksehir.

With a massive 927 tackles, Clichy is the highest ranking full back on this list.

2. Lucas Leiva (978)

Lucas Leiva was still revered by Liverpool fans towards the end of his stint at Anfield, even if injuries stopped the Brazilian achieving his full potential.

He was used as a utility player under Jurgen Klopp but in his earlier Reds days he was seen as one of the best ball-winning defensive midfielders in the Premier League, complimenting Steven Gerrard's box-to-box style of play.

Now at Lazio, Leiva made 346 appearances in total for Liverpool, scoring seven goals and winning the League Cup in 2012.

1. Gareth Barry (1,028)

Surprised? You really shouldn't be.

Barry holds the record for the most Premier League appearances ever, and he likes to put his foot in for a tackle, hence his position at the top of this list.

The former England international won the Premier League with Manchester City and also had successful spells with Everton and Aston Villa, also showing a decent eye for goal with 66 goals in all competitions throughout his 20-year top flight career.