Tiago Tomás

Key strength: Link-up play

Target man

Sitting fifth in the Bundesliga on the back of a crucial bounce-back victory, VfB Stuttgart's improbable European charge owes much to their squad depth—and few embody that depth better than Tiago Tomás. The 23-year-old Portuguese centre-forward has quietly amassed 4 goals and 1 assist across 22 appearances this season, yet his most telling statistic lies in his minutes: averaging just 53 minutes per outing, Tomás has perfected the art of the impact substitute. Operating behind the prolific Ermedin Demirovic and Deniz Undav—both commanding 80 ratings in FIFA—Tomás brings a different dimension entirely. With a 67-rated shooting stat and physical presence that belies his frame, he functions as the consummate target man, excelling at link-up play and bringing Stuttgart's dynamic wingers into the attack. His €15 million market value reflects not present output but immense potential: at an age when most forwards are still finding their footing, Tomás has carved a vital niche in a system that demands tactical flexibility. As Stuttgart eye an unlikely Champions League return, the young Portuguese striker represents exactly the kind of depth that separates good seasons from great ones.