
Key strength: Work rate
Box-to-box midfielder
In a Bayer Leverkusen campaign where consistency has proven elusive—reflected in their DLWWL form and third-place Bundesliga standing—Aleix García has emerged as the one constant Xabi Alonso can rely upon. The 29-year-old Spaniard has been nothing short of ever-present, accumulating a staggering 45 appearances and 3,674 minutes across all competitions. While his 5 goals and 9 assists tell part of the story, García's true influence lies in his tireless box-to-box industry and that 70-rated passing range that transforms defense into attack with metronomic precision. Operating in the number 24 shirt, he shields defenders Edmond Tapsoba and Loïc Badé while supplying creative outlets like Eliesse Ben Seghir ahead. Remarkably, this relentless workload has yielded just five yellow cards—a testament to his tactical intelligence. Now valued at €20 million, García embodies the same midfield discipline Alonso once displayed on these pitches, serving as the stabilizing heartbeat that keeps Leverkusen's European ambitions alive despite the squad's fluctuating fortunes.