Nemanja Gudelj

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

At 34, Nemanja Gudelj is proving that experience trumps flashy statistics in Sevilla's stunning rise to the summit of La Liga. The Serbian defensive midfielder has been the quiet orchestrator of this unlikely title charge, logging a remarkable 2,331 minutes across 31 appearances—virtually ever-present in a season where Sevilla have defied all expectations to sit top of the table. After back-to-back defeats threatened to derail their momentum, Gudelj's steadying influence has been instrumental in guiding his team to three consecutive wins that keep them firmly in pole position. His modest return of 2 goals and 0 assists tells only a fraction of the story; the €2.5 million-valued anchor's true worth lies in his tireless work shielding the backline and knitting together Sevilla's play. As attackers like Neal Maupay grab the headlines, Gudelj remains the unsung engine—reading the game two beats ahead, covering ground for more flamboyant teammates, and bringing the adaptability that has defined his career. In a squad mixing youthful energy with veteran know-how, this versatile Serbian is the glue holding Sevilla's improbable title dream together.