The Premier League's top 10 most dominant players in the air

When you’re coming up against certain players, you just know you’re not going to win anything. Here are the Premier League’s best when it comes to win their aerial duels (minimum of 50 duels won).

10) Liam Cooper (Leeds) - 68.5%

Leeds sorely missed their captain in the first few months of 2022.

They only won 4 of the 15 Premier League games he was absent for and it led Marcelo Bielsa’s departure.

The Yorkshire side are yet to lose since the 30-year-old returned to action, and that’s in no short part down to his leadership and dominance in the air.

9) Lewis Dunk (Brighton) - 69.9%

The Seagulls are the only side to feature two players on this list and of course one of them was going to be Mr Brighton.

Born and raised in the city, he’s had chances to move away but continues to wear blue and white, as well as the captain’s armband.

8) James Tarkowski (Burnley) - 70.4%

A Clarets player was always going to feature on this list and it’s no surprise to see the ever present Tarkowksi be that player.

Only Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock has won more Premier League headers than the 29-year-old.

7) Shane Duffy (Brighton) - 70.6%

If you’re an opposition striker and you come up against Brighton, you know you’re not going to have much luck in the air.

Only four Premier League defenders have won more headers per minute than the 6’3” Irishman.

6) Jan Bednarek (Southampton) - 71.1%

The Polish international is enjoying his 5th season in a Saints shirt and has only missed 3 Premier League games.

He’s also chipped in with 4 goals showing he’s doing it at both ends of the pitch.

5) Harry Maguire (Manchester United) - 71.7%

It’s been a turbulent season for the United captain and he’s come in for plenty of criticism.

However, there can be no debate about his ability in the air which is often regarded as his key strength.

His future at the Red Devils will continue to be a cause for speculation though.

4) Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle) - 73.3%

With the injection of cash from the new owners at St. James’ Park, players previously regarded as ever presents like Lascelles could be heading out the door in the near future.

The Magpies captain has been in and out of the side in 2022 but might interest a few sides who are looking for a solid defender with a brilliant record in the air.

3) Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea) - 75%

The German international looks likely to be playing his last season in a Chelsea shirt but will depart off the back of a brilliant campaign.

In the 28 matches he’s played in, he’s only lost 17 aerial battles.

But his overall game is the reason why many are including him in their team of the seasons.

2) Grant Hanley (Norwich) - 75.4%

It’s been a rather miserable season for Norwich who are set for another return to the Championship after failing to pull up any trees.

The big Scotsman at the back has been a consistent figure for the Canaries though, with only five Premier League defenders winning more headers.

1) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 77.1%

Is there anything this man can’t do?

An incredible reading of the game, pace to burn, strong as an ox, superb passing range and now officially the best Premier League defender in the air.

The Dutchman is the only player to have been involved in fewer than 150 aerial duels and still win more than 100 of them.

He’ll undoubtedly go down as a Premier League great and will also be the main cause of headaches for plenty of opposition strikers.