Nicolò Zaniolo

Key strength: Link-up play

Target man

Udinese Calcio's stunning ascent to 4th place in Serie A—with 28 points from 16 matches—has been the season's most captivating underdog story, and Nicolò Zaniolo stands at its creative epicenter. The 27-year-old Italian attacking midfielder has resurrected a career once suffocated by injury at Roma, delivering 6 goals and 6 assists across 33 appearances in nearly 2,000 minutes of decisive action. Despite Udinese's recent wobble (LLWWD in their last five), Zaniolo remains the Friulian attack's beating heart, his €5 million market valuation looking increasingly like one of the bargains of the season. Operating as a target man with elite link-up play, the former Azzurri prodigy has channeled his relentless competitive fire—evidenced by seven yellow cards—into consistent match-winning contributions. In a league dominated by Milan, Inter and Juventus, Zaniolo's quiet redemption at the Stadio Friuli represents Serie A's most compelling personal revival. Away from the Roman spotlight, the boy once hailed as Italy's next generational talent is finally becoming the player he promised to be.