Carlos Protesoni

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

At Deportivo Alavés, where the club sits 7th in the table through five matches, Carlos Protesoni operates as the silent architect in midfield. The 27-year-old Uruguayan has clocked 540 minutes across 6 appearances this season, quietly orchestrating play from deep as a deep-lying playmaker. While his goal and assist tallies remain blank, that's not his currency—Protesoni's value lies in ball retention and transitional control, shielding a backline while higher-profile teammates like Antonio Blanco and Carlos Vicente push forward. With a €1M market value and a modest 50 rating, he's the type of unsung contributor every mid-table side needs: disciplined, positionally aware, and willing to do the dirty work. His two yellow cards hint at the combative edge required in the engine room. As Alavés navigate a challenging campaign, Protesoni's understated presence allows the flair players to shine—a classic holding midfielder playing his role to perfection.