Alfonso Pedraza

Key strength: Pace and recovery

Overlapping full-back

While Villarreal CF navigate a turbulent campaign sitting 14th in La Liga with an erratic WLLDW run of form, Alfonso Pedraza remains one of the few constants in the Yellow Submarine's faltering season. The 29-year-old Spanish left-back has been ever-present, clocking 31 appearances and 1,730 minutes of tireless service down the left flank—an ironman showing in a squad struggling for consistency. Though not a headline-grabber like teammates Arnaut Danjuma or Georges Mikautadze, Pedraza's understated contributions prove vital: 1 goal, 3 assists, and countless overlapping runs that stretch opposition defenses. His six yellow cards speak to the combative edge required at this level, but it's his relentless pace and recovery work—hallmarks of his €2.5M valuation—that truly define his worth. Operating in the shadow of creative forces like Santi Comesaña, the number 24 provides the defensive stability and width that keeps Villarreal's attack functional. In a season of frustration at Estadio de la Cerámica, Pedraza embodies the reliable, tactically disciplined presence that struggling sides desperately need to steady the ship.