Having looked at the best full-backs for their attacking contribution, it seemed only fair for WhoScored to analyse the best wingers going in the other direction.
We looked at wide midfielders who constantly help out their full-back and don't shirk their defensive responsibilities, judging candidates based on their combined figure of tackles and interceptions per game. All 7 players analysed completed an average of over 5 tackles and interceptions per game combined, with Spain's La Liga represented highly.
Top Tacklers
Lars Stindl - 6.3 tackles and interceptions per game combined
Hannover's Lars Stindl tops a pile that includes 6 players plying their trade in Spain, while there are no representative's from England, Italy or France in our leaderboard. The 23-year-old has started 10 of his 12 appearances in right midfield, though his defensive contribution is significantly greater than his attacking threat.
With 3.7 tackles per game he wins more challenges than any other winger in Europe, supplemented by an excellent 2.6 interceptions per game. A combined figure of 6.3, therefore, leads the way, though the young midfielder needs to improve when going forward having failed to score, from 1.2 shots per game, or pick up an assist. The German has, however, completed 1.8 dribbles per game, proving that it is his end product that needs work.
Arda Turan - 6.2 tackles and interceptions per game combined
A summer signing from Galatasaray; it is fair to say that Turkish playmaker Arda Turan was bought by Atletico Madrid due to his ability to create rather than defend. However, in his 10 league appearances thus far, Arda has proven just as capable of winning and breaking up possession, with 3.6 tackles per game only bettered by Stindl. The 24-year-old is considerably more of an attacking threat than the German, picking up 4 assists in the league in just 7 starts, though he is yet to open his account in Spain.
Oscar Trejo - 6.2 tackles and interceptions per game combined
Gijon winger Oscar Trejo often plays high up the pitch, and has even played up front on 1 of his 8 league starts this season. However, it is the Argentine's willingness to help out defensively that has caught the eye, making the third most tackles per game (3.3) and the third most interceptions per game (2.9) of any wide man in Europe. The 23-year-old's defensive responsibilities - much like Stindl - have taken away from his attacking threat, having failed to register a single goal or assist this season.
Invaluable Interceptors
Botelho - 5.8 tackles and interceptions per game combined
Another young midfielder who is doing more than his fair share defensively is Rayo Vallecano's Botelho. The 21-year-old operates on the left side of an attacking midfield three for his side and has made 3 interceptions per game - joint best of any winger. An impressive 2.8 tackles per game is also of great benefit to his side, though the youngster has mistimed his challenges at times, picking up 4 yellows and 1 red in just 7 starts.
Juanlu - 5.2 tackles and interceptions per game combined
Experienced wide man Juanlu has been a crucial player in Levante's superb start to the season, at either end of the field. As well as being the side's top scorer from the left with 5 goals, he has also managed 3 interceptions per game, starting 10 of his sides 11 matches this season. A tally of 2.2 tackles per game on average is equally impressive due to the advanced position in which the Spaniard plays, and the 31-year-old will need to keep up his form to ensure his side's great start doesn't continue to unravel.
Axel Bellinghausen - 5.2 tackles and interceptions per game combined
28-year-old German Axel Bellinghausen is the top rated player for struggling Bundesliga outfit Augsburg (6.88). On the left of an attacking midfield three Bellinghausen has a goal and 2 assists to his name, though it is his defensive contribution that stands out. Scoring 2.6 for both tackles and interceptions per game, Bellinghausen, along with list-leader Stindl, is the only other non Spanish-based player on our leaderboard.
Gonzalo Castro - 5.1 tackles and interceptions per game combined
His namesake at Leverkusen made the leaderboard for attacking full-backs, but one mustn’t get Mallorca's Gonzalo Castro mixed up with the German defender. Playing from the left-side of the Spanish side's midfield, Castro has started 7 games and notched 2 goals. While impressing in front of goal, the 27-year-old has not forgotten his defensive duties, registering 2.7 interceptions and 2.4 tackles per game.
An interesting feature from our leaderboard shows that the top 4 for tackles and interceptions per game combined are all 24 and under. With age on their side, a phenomenal work rate up to now will only stand them in good stead for the future, though some must start to hit the goal trail if they are to become utlimate all-round winger!
