Chadi Riad

Riad plays as the middle or outside centre back in a back three, comfortable stepping out with the ball to create an extra passing option a flat back four does not offer. His distribution stands out more than his physicality, favouring an accurate pass into midfield over an aggressive header away whenever the situation allows. He has already handled the pressure of a major European final, playing every minute without looking unsettled.

The tension around Riad is fitness, since serious injuries interrupted his first season badly enough that he had to rebuild his sharpness almost from scratch. A centre back who has missed long stretches needs time to recover full trust in his own body before his positioning and recovery runs feel automatic again. Watch how much game time he is given across a full campaign. That will show how far he has actually come since those setbacks.