The Championship is renowned for being a physically demanding, draining league given its physicality and that it is 46 games long. The tackles fly in and Leeds United’s loss to Burnley was proof.
Nine yellow cards were awarded by referee James Bell, who was criticised by the Leeds faithful for not giving The Whites a penalty. Two of those yellows saw on loan Burnley man Bashir Humphreys sent off.
But it is another advert for the Championship’s tough-tackling reputation, it is not for the feint-hearted. Sitting top of the list for tackles in the division, or even in the top 10, is a big accolade in the second tier.
Sheffield United’s Brazilian star Vinicius Souza leads the way as per WhoScored, making a whopping 24 tackles in the Championship. He is far ahead of the next two on 19, and way above Leeds’ best showing.
Ethan Ampadu has most Leeds tackles, but Ayling has more
Leeds tabled a £4m offer for Kenny McLean a year ago and he sits alongside on-loan Derby man David Ozoh with 19 apiece. £10m Ampadu has made 15 tackles, having attempted to make a total of 18 so far.
He might be wishing it was one less, coming off worse after a brilliant tackle to deny Hannibal Mejbri getting away on Saturday. It eventually saw the Wales star substituted on 67 minutes, which is a rarity.
But interestingly, Luke Ayling sits ahead of Ampadu on 16 tackles and has only been dribbled past on two occasions according to WhoScored. A player of course that left Leeds permanently in the summer.
Leeds’ top three tacklers so far as Daniel Farke ponders changes
The defeat to Burnley was certainly a blow for Farke and Leeds, and an indication as to where Leeds are at. Come Cardiff City on Saturday, it is likely that Farke will have considered some changes to his side.
One of those could be Jayden Bogle, who is actually sitting in second in terms of Leeds tackles. He has clocked up 14 successful tackles, but worryingly he has been dribbled past on seven occasions already.
Ilia Gruev rounds off the top three, making 13 successful tackles but impressively, has only been beaten twice. Gruev’s status as an underrated part of this side continues, but it is Ampadu that leads the way.
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