Edson Álvarez

Álvarez occupies the position that rarely receives the credit it deserves, disrupting attacks in the space between his own defence and midfield before his back four ever confronts real danger. His anticipation lets him step into a passing lane and win the ball rather than chase it, which explains why he recovers possession so consistently in that deep, congested zone. He also carries the ball forward once he has it, refusing to simply lay it off sideways the way many defensive midfielders do.

His versatility is the interesting part, since he can drop into central defence without the team looking weaker there. That says plenty about his reading of the game even if it says less about his raw pace. The real question is whether he stays a shield in midfield or gets pulled back into defence once injuries strike.