Ibrahim Maza

Key strength: Vision and passing

Creative playmaker

In a Bayer Leverkusen campaign that has seen their invincible title-winning swagger evaporate into a patchy WDLDD run adrift in 5th place, one figure burns bright amid the gloom. At just 20 years old, Algerian attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza has become Xabi Alonso's most reliable creative outlet, the lone spark in a misfiring machine. With 4 goals and 5 assists across 32 appearances this season, Maza's numbers tell only part of the story—his €25m market value speaks to the elite potential that has scouts across Europe taking notice. But what truly sets the youngster apart is his preternatural composure. Boasting a 70-rated passing attribute and vision that cuts through congested Bundesliga midfields like a scalpel, Maza operates with the intelligence of a seasoned veteran. Remarkably, he has navigated nearly 2,000 minutes of top-flight football without a single card—yellow or red—a testament to emotional maturity far exceeding his years. As Die Werkself's championship defense crumbles and the shadow of last season's invincibility grows longer, Maza represents something precious: proof that the Leverkusen academy conveyor belt continues producing gems even when the first team falters. In a season of disappointment, he is already the answer to questions about the club's future.