After the last game against Arsenal, N’Golo Kante reached the landmark of becoming the first player to reach 100 interceptions this season according to EA Sports. The Frenchman's exploits have been well documented in Leicester's amazing title charge.
He has been a silent performer for Leicester in 2015/16 while Vardy and Mahrez have been grabbing the headlines with their goal scoring records. Kante was all over the pitch on Sunday’s game and strangulated Arsenal’s passing game for most periods.
Even when they were down to ten men Arsenal found it difficult to create too many clear-cut chances.
In the list of top 10 interceptors this season, seeing a player from Aston Villa in second is the most surprising. Villa have been in a downward spiral this season and their most recent capitulation against a rampant Liverpool side has only justified their position in the table.
But amidst all the gloom, Idrissa Gueye seems to be their bright spark by making 94 interceptions this season, only 9 less than Kante. If it weren’t for the Senegalese Villa’s goal difference might have been much worse.
Arsenal have two entries on this list with both Laurent Koscielny and left back Nacho Monreal occupying the third and ninth positions in the list. Tony Pulis’ style of football might not satisfy the neutrals but it seems to be getting the job done for West Brom who have three players in the top 10.
Cabaye is also probably a surprising name given he is more known for his attacking but he comes in fourth and Etienne Capoue of Watford completes the top 5.
The Top 10 list is given below in detail:
Player | Team | Nationality | Appearances | Minutes played | Interceptions | Interceptions per 90 minutes |
N’Golo Kante | Leicester City | France | 26 | 1960 | 105 | 4.82 |
Idrissa Gueye | Aston Villa | Senegal | 23 | 2005 | 94 | 4.21 |
Laurent Koscielny | Arsenal | France | 23 | 1946 | 88 | 4.06 |
Yohan Cabaye | Crystal Palace | France | 23 | 1920 | 79 | 3.71 |
Etienne Capoue | Watford | France | 26 | 2284 | 76 | 2.99 |
Claudio Yacob | West Bromwich Albion | Argentina | 23 | 1907 | 75 | 3.53 |
Ashley Williams | Swansea City | Wales | 26 | 2340 | 73 | 2.81 |
Jonny Evans | West Bromwich Albion | Northern Ireland | 21 | 1783 | 72 | 3.63 |
Nacho Monreal | Arsenal | Spain | 26 | 2258 | 71 | 2.82 |
Gareth McAuley | West Bromwich Albion | Northern Ireland | 22 | 1979 | 70 | 3.18 |