Nigeria international defender Ola Aina leads the way in the top five leagues in Europe when it comes to winning the ball back in defensive areas according the stat based website WhoScored.
Aina who has surpassed all expectations this season with his performances for high flying Nottingham Forest has won the ball back in defensive areas a full 13 times more than any other player putting him top of the list across the continent.
The former Torino defender is part of the Forest back four that has helped goalkeeper Matz Sels to 12 Premier League clean sheets this season, the most in the division, and the joint-most of the full back’s career to date.
In addition, the 28-year-old had made 30 interceptions in 2024/25, the most in the Forest squad and the joint-26th most across the Premier League.
Aina has put in 58 tackles in all competitions with 53 of those coming in the Premier League putting the defender joint-38th in the division. Indeed, his tackle on Omar Marmoush against Manchester City on Saturday put the ball back in the Reds possession to go and net the winner against the champions.
On Saturday, Aina won four ground duels against Jérémy Doku, who he lined up against from the start at The City Ground, making three clearances, two headed clearances and four ball recoveries against City.
