Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara has made an impressive start to the Ligue 1 season, emerging as the division’s leading tackler after four matchdays.
The 22-year-old has recorded 24 tackles for AS Monaco, putting him four ahead of Toulouse midfielder Cristian Cásseres Jr, who has made 20.
Camara’s latest performance came in Monaco’s 1-1 draw with Strasbourg, where his contribution in midfield earned him a place in the Ligue 1 team of the week for Matchday 4.
Operating alongside Denis Zakaria, the Senegal international was particularly effective in Monaco’s defensive work.
He recovered possession 10 times and won eight duels against Strasbourg, while completing all four of his attempted tackles for a 100% success rate.
Camara also made an impact when Monaco had possession, completing 92% of his passes during the match.
His passing display included eight long passes and five progressive passes, while he also supplied the assist for Paris Brunner’s equalising goal.
The performance further strengthens Camara’s position among Monaco’s leading players at the start of the campaign.
His rise to the top of Ligue 1’s tackling standings comes shortly after he came close to leaving the French club during the transfer window.
The Senegalese midfielder was nearing a move to Chelsea in a deal worth around £47.1m after completing his medical examination.
However, the transfer failed to go through despite negotiations progressing towards the final stages of the window.
Monaco had initially rejected two offers from Chelsea before eventually relaxing its demands as the deadline approached.
The French club’s decision was made in the context of uncertainty over the potential departure of Folarin Balogun.
By the time Monaco changed its position, though, there was not enough time for Camara to complete the move.
The midfielder therefore remained at Monaco and has responded by returning to the form that has made him one of the club’s standout performers.
His 24 tackles currently place him at the top of the Ligue 1 rankings, with Cásseres Jr second on 20.
Olympique Lyonnais have two players among the next positions, with Mads Bidstrup recording 14 tackles and Zachary Atekame registering 12.
Paris FC’s Pierre Lees Melou, Antoine Mille of Troyes, Le Havre midfielder Simon Ebonog and Auxerre’s Kevin Danois have each made 12 tackles.
Monaco have another player in the top 10, with Vanderson having recorded 11 tackles.
Stade Brestois defender Bradley Locko also has 11.
Camara’s numbers demonstrate his importance to Monaco in both defensive and attacking phases of the game.
