EPL: Ola Aina Becomes First Defender To Win Over 100 Possessions In 2024/2025 Season So Far
There are many top defenders in the English Premier League (EPL). However, the first one to win possession more than 100 times in the 2024/25 season is a Nigerian defender as per Stathead. Who is this player and how did he do it?
This top ball-winning defender is Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest. The Super Eagles star won possession 101 times in his first 18 Premiership matches of this season. Aina made 2 recoveries when the Tricky Trees hosted Bournemouth on match day 1. In the second game week, the England-born full back won the ball 11 times I the clash against Southampton. He was even fouled 3 times in the encounter. His total tally in August became 21 after the encounter with Wolves. Curiously, he was deployed as a left-back in his three EPL appearances during the month.
In Septemnber, Ola Aina made a total of 18 recoveries beginning. He started with 7 in the game week 4 encounter with Liverpool. In his next two matches, the right-footed defender got credited with 2 and 9 respectively against Brighton and Fulham. The 28-year-old player added another 14 in October. The following month, this guy took credit for 18 over 4 Premier League encounters. Over the first 5 appearances of December, he took credit for 30 more recoveries.
The defender that comes closest to Aina is Diogo Dalot of Manchester United. This Portugal international has made a total of 99 recoveries so far this term. It should be noted that the only game in which the 25-year-old star did not win possession was match day 16 when he was deployed as a winger.
