Alex Williams

Williams defends with a calmness that stands out for someone so early in his senior career, reading an attacker's body shape well enough to win the ball back cleanly rather than diving into a rushed challenge. That poise extends into possession too, where he keeps things simple under pressure. He is still comfortable enough on the ball to affect play further up the pitch when the opportunity appears.

Having progressed through West Brom's academy since childhood, his path to the first team has been years in the making rather than a sudden overnight breakthrough. An ankle injury interrupted his momentum just as he was breaking into contention, which is always a cruel setback for a young defender building confidence through consistent minutes. How quickly he rebuilds that rhythm will shape the next stage of his career.