Soungoutou Magassa

Magassa spent his early seasons as a left sided centre back before his coaches pushed him into defensive midfield, and that shows in how he reads danger and sets himself in front of his own back four. He wins physical duels again and again, using his frame to shield the ball or simply out muscle a man trying to get past him. His distribution is solid rather than flashy, favouring the safe pass that keeps his side settled over the risky one.

The interesting tension is whether that centre back background eventually pulls him back into defence, because a player this comfortable stepping across a striker often ends up covering there once injuries strike elsewhere. For now he offers real versatility that any squad benefits from across a long, demanding season. Watch which position his manager actually trusts him in once the fixtures start piling up.