André

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

Le Havre AC find themselves navigating choppy waters in Ligue 1, perched precariously in 14th place with just one win from their last five matches. Yet amid the storm, a 23-year-old Brazilian anchor has emerged as their most precious commodity. André, the defensive midfielder whose €25 million valuation dwarfs the typical transfer budget of a club Le Havre's size, has become the quiet architect of their survival hopes. The stats don't tell the full story—360 minutes across five appearances, zero goals, zero assists—but his 68-rated passing and tireless ball retention knit Le Havre's play together. Four yellow cards reveal a combative presence unafraid to do the dirty work, while his deep-lying playmaker role liberates creative sparks Sofiane Diop and Yann Gboho to flourish further forward. In a side struggling for consistency, André's ever-present industry has become the unsung foundation. For a club punching above their weight, holding onto their Brazilian gem may prove their most important battle this season.