Europe’s top 10 players for interceptions

The ability to read a pass, as well as to intercept it, is a very valuable skill to have for a defensive player. Here are the top 10 players from Europe's 'Big Five' leagues for interceptions.

Being able to accurately read a pass and make an interception is a strong skill for a defensive player to possess. A lot of the time, it can directly lead to a counter-attack, and sometimes even a goal.

Here are the top 10 players from Europe's top five leagues for interceptions this season, plus their per game rate.

 

Milan Badelj – 112 

Despite Milan Badelj's defensive heroics this season, Genoa find themselves in 19th place of the Italian Serie A. 

That, though, is more on the fact that Genoa have been underachieving this season, which does not help Badelj in any way look good.

However, if you rank the league by goals conceded, their 54 would have them up in 13th place, so the case there is more that Genoa have been rather disappointing offensively than defensively.

Most impressively, Badelj has the distinction of being one of only two midfielders to make this list.

He averages 3.61 interceptions per game this season. His 112 interceptions so far is the most he has had in his career to date.

 

Gleison Bremer – 110 

The first player to reach 100 interceptions in Europe's top five leagues this season, Gleison Bremer has been putting in a brilliant defensive shift all year to help Torino steer clear of the drop and to their best league position finish in three years.

He averages 3.55 interceptions per game this season. That rate, along with the number of interceptions he has this year, is the most he has achieved in his career.

And at just 25 years old, there might just be a lot more to come for this Brazilian defender.

 

Maxence Lacroix – 106 

Maxence Lacroix is one defender to watch out for in the future. At 22 years old, he is showing signs of becoming a major player in the game.

He has excelled since getting a move to Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga last season. After having a very strong defensive year last season, he is looking to out-do himself this year, and already has in the interceptions department.

Lacroix has beaten his interception total from last season by 30 already, and with a rate of 4.08 per game, he is looking at a very strong year considering he hasn't played every game for his side.

 

Danilo Soares – 102 

Statistically, Danilo Soares is the best defensive player on this list, a fact which has helped his side, Bochum, to a relatively strong first season back in the Bundesliga and looking like they will remain for another year. 

Soares ranks fourth on this list, but also third for most tackles by a player this year with 113. Those two combined has him fairly clear at the top for tackles + interceptions this season with 215.

Looking at just his interception rate, he makes 3.64 interceptions per game.

 

Aurelien Tchouameni – 100 

Aurelien Tchouameni will be one of the most sought-after players this summer, due to the fact that he is only 22 years old and is very capable both offensively and defensively.

He is the second midfielder to make this list, along with Milan Badelj who takes the number one spot.

Last season for Monaco, Tchouameni led the team for tackles with 142. This year, he is leading them for interceptions and will continue to add to his total, as he has a rate of 3.13 interceptions per game.

Tchouameni also comes in third place for tackles + interceptions this season, with his 91 tackles giving him a combined total of 191. 

 

Reece Oxford – 95 

An Englishman abroad and the only English player on this list, Reece Oxford has been with Augsburg for four seasons now and has reached the ranks of starter for them this season.

His interceptions are the second strongest aspect to his defensive game, behind his pressing. 

He has a rate of 3.52 interceptions per game.

 

Omar Colley – 93 

Another Serie A representative, this time from Sampdoria, Omar Colley has been one of, if not the, best defensive player on his team for every side he has played for in his career, which has seen him play for four different teams in four different countries.

Having settled down in Italy with Sampdoria, he has consistently put up solid numbers each season. Last year it was tackles, this year it is interceptions, as he leads the team.

He averages 3.21 interceptions per game.

 

Yunis Abdelhamid – 91 

Yunis Abdelhamid has been at the heart of one of the better defensive sides of Reims in Ligue 1. 

The team ranks seventh in league for goals conceded, which they would sure love if the league was ranked that way, as they actually find themselves down in 13th. Not bad, but could be better.

Abdelhamid is having his best season to date in terms of interceptions. Usually, he leads the team for tackles, but this year he has been strong at winning the ball through interceptions.

He has a rate of 3.03 interceptions per game this season..

 

Jan Bednarek – 88 

The one and only player from the Premier League on this list is Southampton's Jan Bednarek. He narrowly beats out his teammate, Mohammed Salisu, who has 87 interceptions this season.

Bednarek, as well as Salisu, make up the predominant starting two centre-backs for the Saints, and for a part of the season, did look like one of the strongest pairings. Granted, that did not last too long.

The Polish defender averages 3.03 interceptions per game this season.

 

Josko Gvardiol - 88 

The final entry on this list is Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. In his first season with the German club, he has shown an aptitude at being a started, despite never having played in a top-tier league before.

He leads his side for tackles (53) and interceptions, making him their best defensive player. He also comes in at fourth for defensive pressures (326) and successful pressures (122).

He has a rate of 3.14 interceptions per game this season.