The end of the first International break is a good time to check point where we are as regards key defensive performance indicators.
The chart below maps Defensive Action Success Rate (DASR%) against Possession Won / Lost per 90 m.

A reminder: DASR is an aggregate of core defensive actions such as tackles, aerial challenges and interceptions, and assess the extent to which those were won or lost. To give you an idea of what “good” looks like, the best recorded in the last 5 seasons is Van Dijk at 81%. But the range tends to be narrow. Read more in The Problem Position Revisited.
Possession Won and Lost is simply the difference between the occasions a player wins possession back compared to the number of occasions they lose possession. It does NOT include passing. Forwards will generally lose possession frequently whilst defenders should rarely lose possession.
Bear in mind that whilst I have only included those that have played over 100 minutes, this is still a small sample.
But some highlights:
Boyata has been defensive solid since returning in all three games bar being hustled off the ball by Morelos
Ajer is consistency itself – hovering around the 80% line – he has had a DASR less than 80% in 5 out of 11 matches
Hendry lags behind the other Centre Backs defensively
No other midfielder matches Brown for defensive solidity – no surprise
Tierney is surprisingly high given his attacking remit
I expected to see Forrest with better defensive numbers – he is usually the top defensive attacking midfielder
I’ll refresh this throughout the season.