They say tackling is a dying art, yet it still takes pride of place here in the Premier League. Indeed, nothing quite gets bums off seats in a local derby like a full-blooded tackle, taking the ball and a fair chunk of the man with it.In recent years, deep-lying playmakers have ruled supreme over the dog-like ball-winners of yesteryear. But we're now seeing a reversal of that trend and N'Golo Kante has played a key role.His dynamism and potency in the tackle helped transform Leicester City from relegation battlers into title winners and has had a similar effect on a Chelsea side that finished tenth last season.Of course, more than just tackling won the France international this season's PFA Player of the Year award, but it nonetheless highlights how the importance of tenacious midfielders of the Kante mould has become more recognised since the start of last season.Perhaps surprisingly, therefore, it's not actually Kante who has finished the season on top of the Premier League's tackle charts. In terms of challenges per-match, that honour goes to Everton's similar-in-style Idrissa Gueye.Also worth a noteworthy mention is fourth-placed Oriol Romeu, who has been absolute rock at the base of Southampton's midfield. 3.3 tackles per match pays testament to that, while he also ranks in the Premier League's top twenty for passes per match.

It's those returns that could well make the Spaniard the next star to leave St. Mary's for a huge transfer fee. You heard it here first!

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/record-transfers.mp4