Sinaly Diomandé

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

In the cauldron of a Ligue 1 relegation scrap, one man has become AJ Auxerre's immovable object. Sinaly Diomandé, the 25-year-old Ivorian centre-back wearing number 20, has emerged as the bedrock of Les Bourguignons' survival bid — and the numbers tell a story of iron discipline and understated brilliance. With Auxerre clinging to 16th place and riding a remarkable resurgence (three wins from their last five: WWWLD), Diomandé has been the constant. Nineteen appearances. 1,684 minutes of warfare. Just two yellow cards — a statistic bordering on miraculous for a defender in the trenches. But this is no mere spoiler. The €6 million-rated colossus carries genuine threat at both ends: one goal and one assist from centre-back speaks to his aerial dominance from set-pieces, his declared key strength. Alongside left-back Romain Perraud, Diomandé forms a defensive partnership that has tightened Auxerre's resolve precisely when it mattered most. When pressure mounts and the storm rages around him, this Ivorian wall stands unbreached — a defensive anchor whose composure could yet prove the difference between Ligue 1 survival and the drop.