ISL 2016: The meanest tacklers this season

#3 Mohamed Sissoko

Momo Sissoko tackle wins the ball clean (Picture Courtesy ISL)

Having won the UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and La Liga with Valencia and the FA Cup with Liverpool and Ligue 1 with PSG, Mohamed Sissoko came to Indian shores to try new avenues in world football. FC Pune City signed him only after Eidur Gudjohnson was deemed unfit, and the midfielder has taken the league by storm.

Having played 9 out of the 10 matches this season, the well-built midfielder has made 42 tackles, one of the highest in the league. The deep-lying orchestrator has also scored a goal while committing 15 fouls and earning two yellow cards. The former Juventus player has an eye for the forward pass too, making it difficult for opposition midfielders to sit back and let him operate.

Besides the 42 toe-crushing challenges which have instilled fear amongst opposition strikers and midfielders alike, Sissoko has also won 19 aerial duels and has made 12 interceptions, showing his worth for the Antonio Habas’ side every time he’s on the field. If Pune City FC reach the knockout stages of the league, they would have this man to thank for his services in the middle of the park.