Vitaly Janelt

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

Sitting 8th in the Premier League table, Brentford FC continue to punch above their weight in English football's top flight. While their attack grabs headlines, the quiet architect of their stability wears number 27—Vitaly Janelt. The 27-year-old German defensive midfielder has been Thomas Frank's metronome this campaign, racking up 28 appearances and 1,637 minutes of tireless service. His modest return of 1 goal and 4 assists belies his true value. Janelt's exceptional ball retention and disciplined screening—7 yellows showing his combative edge, zero reds his tactical intelligence—liberates Brentford's dazzling attacking talents, including the 80-rated Mikkel Damsgaard and Yegor Yarmolyuk, to wreak havoc ahead of him. Valued at €18 million after four years of unwavering service since his October 2020 arrival, this German engineer keeps Brentford's midfield machine humming. With a contract running until 2026, Janelt embodies the unsung hero archetype—proving that sometimes the most influential players are those who make everyone around them better.