LK
Lloyd Kelly
Centre-Back / England / Newcastle United
65 OVR
Profile
Key strength: Aerial dominance
Defensive anchor
In a turbulent Premier League campaign that has Newcastle United sitting 14th with an erratic LWDWL form line, the Magpies have found an unlikely source of stability at the back. Lloyd Kelly, the 27-year-old English centre-back wearing the number 6 shirt, has emerged as Eddie Howe's most reliable performer in a season desperately lacking defensive assurance. With 32 appearances and an impressive 2,803 minutes to his name, Kelly has been virtually ever-present—his endurance matched only by his remarkable discipline. Three yellow cards across an entire campaign speaks volumes about his positional intelligence and calm reading of the game. But Kelly isn't just a defensive stopper: his 2 goals and 1 assist reveal a threat from set-pieces that complements his aerial dominance and 70-rated defensive capabilities. Valued at €23 million, he anchors the backline alongside Sven Botman, providing the platform that allows Harvey Barnes and Joelinton to express themselves further forward. While Newcastle's season may be falling short of Champions League ambitions, Kelly's consistency and composure shine as a beacon of individual excellence—proof that even in stormy seas, some rocks remain unmoved.