Krystian Bielik

Bielik reads the game like a midfielder because for large stretches of his career that is exactly what he was, and it shows in how comfortable he looks receiving the ball under pressure in his own half. He steps into midfield to offer an extra option rather than hoofing possession long. He then recovers into defensive positions with the aerial power to win the ball back if the move breaks down.

That dual profile, calm on it and dominant without it, is rare enough at Championship level to make him one of the more interesting defenders in the squad. Two serious knee injuries interrupted what once looked like a fast track to the top of English football, and the question is durability rather than ability. Nobody who watched him at his best doubts what he can do with the ball at his feet.