Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

At just 23 years old, Icelandic midfielder Mikael Egill Ellertsson has carved out an indispensable role at Genoa CFC, anchoring the midfield as the Rossoblu navigate a challenging campaign at 14th in the table. The €3.5M-valued box-to-box operator has featured in 24 of Genoa's league fixtures this season, logging 1,744 minutes of tireless running across the pitch. While his modest tally of 1 goal and 1 assist won't grab headlines, Ellertsson's value lies in his relentless engine—his defining 'work rate' making him the connective tissue between defense and attack. Operating alongside more technically gifted teammates like Morten Frendrup, Ellertsson provides the grit that allows Genoa's creative talents to flourish. His remarkably clean disciplinary record—zero cards across the entire campaign—exemplifies the intelligence with which he breaks up play. For a young player establishing himself in one of Europe's most demanding leagues, his consistency and availability speak volumes. As Genoa battle to climb away from the relegation zone, Ellertsson's durability and understated contributions may prove their most underrated asset.