Atakan Karazor

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

At the heart of VfB Stuttgart's impressive 5th-place campaign, Atakan Karazor is the unsung orchestrator keeping the midfield ticking. The 29-year-old German international has been ever-present with 30 appearances and 2,114 minutes under his belt this season, a testament to his importance under Sebastian Hoeneß. While not the flashiest name on the teamsheet, Karazor's deep-lying playmaker role is pivotal—his exceptional ball retention skills allowing Stuttgart to build from the back and control tempo against the Bundesliga's elite. With 2 goals to his name but the real value lying in his metronomic passing, he provides the defensive shield that frees up attacking talents like Ermedin Demirović and Deniz Undav to flourish. His €9 million market value reflects growing recognition of his understated excellence. As Stuttgart fight to maintain their European push, Karazor's composure and game intelligence remain the steady heartbeat of a side defying expectations.