Man City Square
Fansided

Manchester City Should Target Jonathan Tah

By Dan Larsen

UDINE, ITALY - JUNE 30: Jonathan Tah of Germany in action during the 2019 UEFA U-21 Final between Spain and Germany at Stadio Friuli on June 30, 2019 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY - JUNE 30: Jonathan Tah of Germany in action during the 2019 UEFA U-21 Final between Spain and Germany at Stadio Friuli on June 30, 2019 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Jonathan Tah’s defensive skills are also elite.

MAINZ, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 08: Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen reacts after their victory at the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Opel Arena on February 08, 2019 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
MAINZ, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 08: Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen reacts after their victory at the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Opel Arena on February 08, 2019 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images) /

Jonathan Tah is more than just a physical force. He’s also an excellent defender who demonstrates an exceptional feel for the game.

In 28 league games this past season, Tah averaged 1.3 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 4.1 clearances, and 0.8 blocks per game. His interception numbers, however, have often been even better in past seasons. Tah has averaged over two interceptions per game during his career, including averaging an absurd 3.1 interceptions per game in 29 league games in 2015-16.

Tah is a very composed player at all times. He rarely commit fouls (he averaged 0.5 fouls per game this past season) or puts himself in a position where he leaves the defense exposed. His execution on tackles and interceptions is also superb.

Over the course of his career, Tah has consistently rated out as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. He’s posted a form rating of a 6.9 or greater in every league season he’s played so far in his career, a very solid mark for a defender to have.

You can see his whole range of defensive skills on display here.

And here.

Tah shows all of the requisite defensive skills that a team is looking for in an elite center back.