They’ll bite yer legs, this bunch. Hard but fair. They love throwing themselves into a tackle and don’t give two hoots if that sounds a bit camp. After all, Ron Harris was nicknamed ‘Chopper’ and you wouldn’t laugh about it to his face. Anyway, here are Sport.co.uk’s Top Ten ball-winning Premier League midfielders…
1. Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)
It’s alarming to think what Rafael Benitez would do if his Argentine pitbull incurred a bad injury as the Reds’ midfield would get completely overrun without him. He has shown leadership qualities of late when they have been badly-needed.
2. Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Honduran’s all-action style and lust for combat has been key to Spurs’ charge for a Champions League place. His presence has also been key to Tom Huddlestone’s recent progress.
3. Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
Previously, the young Belgian could be characterised by trotting folornly after a man who’d just beaten him and bringing him down for yet another niggly yellow card. Over this season, however, he has become arguably the best in the league at retrieving the ball in such situations, continuously sticking in a long leg and swivelling back around like Patrick Vieira in his pomp.
4. Scott Parker (West Ham United)
It may have been a dire season for the Hammers but the man even commentators like to call ‘Scotty’ has yet again been a revelation. A perpetually buzzing presence in Gianfranco Zola’s midfield, Parker is back to his best following his period of gardening leave at Chelsea.
5. Michael Essien (Chelsea)
John Obi Mikel is doing ok in Essien’s continued absence through injury, but the Ghanaian offers much more than his ability as a midfield encorcer (which is considerable in itself). Had Essien been available, Chelsea might have had the title wrapped up by now.
6. Alex Song (Arsenal)
The Cameroonian has improved to such an extent this season that his long-term presence in the holding role is widely considered by Gunners fans to be vital in conjunction with Cesc Fabregas and Aaron Ramsey. They’ve only got one Song, but he’s a good ‘un.
7. Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers)
As long as he’s partnering someone competent enough to come and collect the ball off him and get a move going, Muamba will win the ball back for you all day long and seems to relish games against top opposition.
8. Mohamed Diame (Wigan Athletic)
Teammate Hendry Thomas may top the ‘tackles made’ charts, but Diame is the more effective player. When he wants to be, he looks capable of being an adequate replacement for Wilson Palacios. Consistency, however, remains elusive.
9. Karl Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Wolves’ captain has had a good season in a struggling side, winning it and keeping possession with metronomic reliability. He has stepped up to the plate to earn his side some valuable points at the grounds of teams like Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
10. Lorik Cana & Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
Now, if Steve Bruce can find some creativity to fill out his midfield with then he could really be onto something. In the meantime, Cana and Cattermole will keep snapping away as the Black Cats slowly ease their relegation worries.