Granit Xhaka

Xhaka sits at the base of midfield and reads the game a step ahead of most opponents, cutting off passing lanes and winning the ball back through anticipation rather than chasing it around the pitch. His experience at the very top of European football, including spells under demanding coaches, shows in how rarely he looks rushed even under pressure. He also covers an enormous amount of ground across ninety minutes, setting an example that younger teammates around him have visibly started to match.

Off the ball his influence extends well beyond his own performance, since he holds teammates to a standard a newly promoted squad needed instilling quickly. He takes ownership publicly when performances slip, which is rare from a player his level of experience. Whether that leadership keeps translating into results once fixtures get harder is the part worth watching most closely.