Julian Ryerson

Key strength: Pace and recovery

Overlapping full-back

At the summit of the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund's most unlikely attacking weapon isn't their star striker—it's right-back Julian Ryerson. The 28-year-old Norwegian has engineered a staggering six assists in just five appearances and 360 minutes this season, including a remarkable four-assist masterclass against Mainz that announced his arrival as a genuine creative force. With Die Schwarzgelben sitting top of the table on a four-match winning streak, Ryerson's overlapping runs and searing pace down the right flank have become devastating outlets in Edin Terzić's system. His €20 million market value—already substantial for a defender—looks increasingly justified with every pinpoint delivery. Yet Ryerson walks a razor's edge: a red card against Mainz exposed his aggressive tendencies, while competition for the starting berth remains fierce. Training alongside elite talents like Serhou Guirassy and Nico Schlotterbeck has clearly sharpened his game. The question now is whether this late-blooding Norwegian can convert his extraordinary efficiency into a permanent place in Dortmund's title charge.