Wanyama vs Kante: Who is the Premier League’s best anchorman?

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The Tottenham Hotspur star has been sensational since arriving from Southampton while Chelsea’s former Fox is finally finding his form.

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama’s performances since arriving at White Hart Lane make him nigh on undroppable for Mauricio Pochettino, even with Eric Dier now returned from injury.

Particularly in the recent matches against Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen, the former Saint was unplayable, breaking up play in midfield and ensuring Spurs kept clean sheets in both games.

Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama celebrates with manager Mauricio Pochettino after scoring

The Kenyan’s performances have seen him build on his already impressive displays for Southampton. With Wanyama helping Spurs into the top four once again, and ensuring they are the only team yet to taste defeat after eight games of the season, as well as impressing in their Champions League performances, there is a major case for the 25-year-old already being in with a shout of being the league’s best defensive midfielder.

Last season his Spurs teammate Eric Dier would have arguably been mentioned as the league’s top anchorman, alongside Leicester star N’Golo Kante, now at Chelsea.

Below we compare Wanyama and Kante’s Opta data so far this season, to see who has been the most impressive statistically:

The statistics indicate that Wanyama is certainly posting impressive performances, with there little between his stats and the player who was vital in the Foxes Premier League triumph last season. Though both players can be defined as defensive midfielders, it is clear each has their strengths.

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante in action with Hull City’s Adama Diomande

Kante just edges passing accuracy with 90% (no midfielder has more than 91%), and is ahead when it comes to getting on the ball, with more touches than the Tottenham man.

However, Wanyama is outstanding when it comes to physical confrontations, and has won more ground duels and aerial duels for possession than the France international, even though he has played fewer minutes than the former Leicester star.

Wanyama has also won more tackles than Kante – whose mobility and agility make him more of a terrier style of defensive midfielder. The Chelsea midfielder has made 18 interceptions of the ball, double that of Wanyama, while he has also dribbled past his man more often.

In all honesty, both players could make a case for being the top anchorman in the division, and it is likely that the answer will be easier to answer in May.

Who do you think is the better player of these two – who would you pick as your defensive midfielder if you had the choice and why? Or is there someone else in the Premier League you would go with?

Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama in action with Liverpool’s Adam Lallana