Valentino Lazaro

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

In a challenging season for Torino FC, currently sitting 13th in the Serie A table, Austrian fullback Valentino Lazaro is quietly establishing himself as a vital cog in their defensive unit. At 29 years old, Lazaro brings experience and versatility to a side that features attacking talents like Ché Adams (60) and Nikola Vlašić (70) but needs defensive stability. Despite being deployed primarily as a right-back, Lazaro operates with a box-to-box midfielder's mindset - his key strength being an unrelenting work rate. In just 4 appearances and 270 minutes this campaign, he's already provided 1 assist while putting in tireless shifts on the flank. His €4 million valuation reflects a steady, reliable contributor rather than a star attraction. Though yet to find the back of the net himself, his link-up play with midfield partners like Cesare Casadei (73) and Ivan Ilić (60) has been crucial to Torino's build-up play. With 2 yellow cards already this season, he's showing the combative edge expected of modern fullbacks. As Torino look to climb away from the lower half of the table, Lazaro's consistency and versatility could prove invaluable in their survival bid.