Top 10 Aerial Duel Experts in the Premier League

Ivan Benjamin Elijah Toney, born on March 16, 1996, is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Brentford. Toney is no newcomer to English football, having been in the game for quite some time. At 26 years old, he recently caught the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate thanks to his powerful aerial duels and ability to score from them. During the current season, he has secured an impressive 43 aerial duel victories, contributing crucial goals with his dominant heading ability.

To reach this level, Toney has had to overcome significant challenges. Unlike many England internationals like Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Phil Foden (Man City), or Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Toney started his career from a much lower level. Despite this, he has impressed throughout his journey, particularly during the Premier League 2021/22 season where he netted 12 goals in 33 matches. Most of these goals came from aerial duels, proving his value in set-piece situations and counterattacks. Thanks to his contribution, Brentford finished 13th in the league, 11 points clear of the relegation zone (46 compared to 35 points).

Kieffer Roberto Francisco Moore, born on August 8, 1992, is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for AFC Bournemouth and the Wales national team. There is no better way to make an impact in the Premier League than by scoring a goal and helping your team secure all three points in your debut match. Bournemouth's key forward excelled in this regard, winning an impressive 38 aerial duels and scoring several headed goals to increase his tally.

That's exactly what Kieffer Moore did, scoring the second goal for Bournemouth in their 2-0 victory over Aston Villa last weekend. The Welshman headed in a cross from Lloyd Kelly in the 80th minute, following an early opener by Jefferson Lerma. Moore, 30, was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance. He led the attack superbly, causing major problems for Villa's defense, including making life difficult for the £28 million summer signing Diego Carlos in his Premier League debut. Few would know that the towering forward, standing at 1.96 meters, had to work incredibly hard to reach the top. His aerial prowess and physical presence make him a target for every attacking ball, and naturally, he is a significant threat to the top teams in the Premier League.

Virgil Van Dijk is a Dutch footballer born on July 8, 1991, who plays as a central defender. It was his success with Liverpool and recognition as the best defender in the world that truly brought him to prominence. Known for his headed clearances, tight marking, and ability to win one-on-one duels, Van Dijk has proven to be a dominant force in defense.

His strength, athleticism, aerial ability, tactical awareness, and proactive defending have made him a standout player. A towering and physically imposing defender, coupled with his intelligence and confidence, Van Dijk strikes fear into opposing strikers. With a remarkable 38 aerial duels won, it’s clear that his aerial prowess is second to none. Though his form may not be at its peak currently, he continues to excel in aerial challenges. The 31-year-old finished 5th in this ranking, playing a key role in helping Liverpool climb back to 6th in the league standings.

Robin Koch, born on July 17, 1996, is a professional German footballer who plays as a defender for Leeds United and the German national team. Though primarily a center-back, Koch is versatile and can also play as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder. His playing style is often compared to that of Javi Martínez due to his ability to read the game and his composed approach.

This season, Robin Koch has been a standout performer for Leeds. The 26-year-old has established himself as a key player, providing stability at the back while also being crucial in the team's quick counter-attacks. With 36 aerial duels won, he is only behind top defender Virgil van Dijk. Leeds must consider keeping hold of this aerial specialist, who has become an invaluable asset to the team’s future. Koch’s contributions have helped Leeds reach 15th place in the league standings, with 4 wins so far this season.

Rodri, born on June 22, 1996, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester City. Rodri has solidified his position and reputation through consistently excellent performances. According to FbRef, the 25-year-old is among the top defensive midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for ball progression and defensive actions. This defensive midfielder not only dominates at ground level but also excels when dealing with high balls, often stopping aerial attacks and initiating quick counter-attacks in the process.

Statistics from the Premier League website reveal that the Spanish midfielder has been impeccable in aerial duels, successfully winning 35 aerial challenges throughout the season. Clearly, Pep Guardiola relies on midfielders like Rodri, who are tactically aware of the right moments to intervene and capable of making key passes to break through opposition lines. Rodri, in particular, has been pivotal in Man City's pressing game, regularly intercepting balls in the opponent's third and clearing aerial threats. In his third season with City, Rodri continues to grow in importance, with constant improvements in his game. According to Guardiola, one of the key reasons for Rodri's standout form this season is his newfound composure.

Maximilian William Kilman, born on May 23, 1997, is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. The 25-year-old center-back has become a key figure in one of the league's most solid defensive units.

In his natural position, Maximilian Kilman has excelled this season, winning 34 aerial duels to strengthen his team’s aerial defense. Despite being a young talent, Kilman has been instrumental in helping Wolverhampton withstand relentless attacks, particularly in high-stakes matches against the league's top clubs. Under the defensive strategy of manager Julen Lopetegui, Wolverhampton has proven to be a tough opponent for many. With Kilman’s impressive aerial abilities, he has been a crucial player in guiding Wolverhampton away from the bottom of the table, securing two wins so far this season.

Fabian Lukas Schar, born on December 20, 1991, is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Newcastle United and the Swiss national team. Schar has represented Switzerland in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 2016 and 2020.

Fabian Schar has earned the status of a hero after scoring twice against Norway, both goals coming from aerial duels. His performances this season have been impressive, with Newcastle benefiting from a very promising defender. At 31 years old, Schar has won 34 aerial duels this season, making a significant impact in the Premier League. The Swiss international has appeared 22 times in the league, scoring 3 goals with his head. Schar's ability in the air, coupled with his intelligence in positioning and linking up with teammates, has made him a key player for Newcastle.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, born on September 16, 1994, is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Fulham and the Serbian national team. At just 18, Mitrovic was named one of UEFA's top 10 talents under 19 in Europe. About 15 months ago, Aleksandar Mitrovic was thought to struggle in the Premier League. However, the Serbian striker has steadily proven everyone wrong, especially with his aerial dominance against taller Premier League defenders. With 62 successful aerial duels, he tops the list in this category.

Mitrovic has been in sensational form, and it’s hard to deny that he is one of the most in-form forwards in Europe right now. He cemented his legendary status at Fulham last season, scoring 43 goals in 44 Championship games and providing 7 assists. This season, his excellent form has continued in the Premier League, with 6 goals in 7 matches under manager Marco Silva. Mitrovic's clinical finishing has helped Fulham rise to 6th place in the standings with 11 points. The striker shows no fear when facing defenders, with Virgil van Dijk being one of his victims in the season opener.

Benjamin Thomas Mee is a professional footballer from England, currently playing as a defender and serving as the captain of Premier League club Brentford. The 32-year-old, who came through Manchester City's youth academy, spent most of his career at Brentford. Known as the rock-solid backbone of the team, Mee has consistently dominated in aerial duels.

As Burnley’s captain for the last three seasons, Mee made over 200 Premier League appearances and played a pivotal role in helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League in 2014 and 2016. This season, he has been a key figure in Brentford's defense, winning an impressive 50 aerial duels. His leadership has helped the newly-promoted team settle comfortably in 10th place in the Premier League table, with 19 points earned so far this season.

James Alan Tarkowski is a professional footballer from England, playing as a central defender for Everton and the England national team. Despite not being part of a 'Big Six' club, Tarkowski has emerged as one of the brightest defensive talents in English football. With his ideal physical attributes and excellent aerial ability, he is a prime example of the classic Premier League centre-back.

The 29-year-old has become a pillar of strength in Everton's defense. He ranks first in the Premier League for blocked shots, second for clearances, and is among the top 10 players for aerial duels won. Tarkowski led the league in aerial duels last season and remains one of the standout defenders in the competition. With an impressive total of 45 aerial duels won, Tarkowski played a key role in helping Everton stay afloat with a 17th-place finish. Although the team has struggled recently, Tarkowski's dominance in the air continues to stand out.