Squawka’s January Transfer sale: Uncovering the bargains across Europe

Midfield Steel

England

Claudio Yacob (West Bromwich Albion): 57 tackles (50% success).

Only Crystal Palace’s Joel Ward (64) has made more successful tackles than Claudio Yacob throughout the 2013-14 Premier League season, so if it’s a midfield enforcer you’re after, the Argentinian could be safe bet.

France

Benjamin André (AC Ajaccio): 50 tackles (66% success).

Benjamin André has attempted to control Ajaccio’s midfield with 50 tackles (66% success) in Ligue 1 – only three players have won more. Ajaccio are bottom of the table however, which will undoubtedly have played a part in allowing the former France under-21 international to attain such a notable statistic.

Spain

Víctor Sánchez (Espanyol): 56 tackles (73% success).

Víctor Sánchez has helped guide Espanyol to a relatively safe mid-table position via six wins, four draws and eight losses. The 26-year-old has previously worked under Pep Guardiola as part of Barcelona’s B team.

Germany

Daniel Baier (Augsburg): 60 tackles (59% success).

Augsburg currently sit eighth in the German Bundesliga, 10 points above the relegation places and 20 points behind the league leaders. A position made far more comfortable thanks to the tireless midfield work of Daniel Baier. The ex-1860 München player has achieved the greatest number of successful tackles this season in the Bundesliga.

Italy

Allan (Udinese): 56 tackles (58% success).

Udinese’s Brazilian midfielder has protected his team’s defence with 56 tackles – second-highest total behind Juventus’ Arturo Vidal – in addition to driving past his opposite man 35 times. A player who’s comfortable throughout both transitions would be a welcome addition to any side.