Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

In the heart of Udinese's engine room, 25-year-old Dutchman Jurgen Ekkelenkamp continues to embody the consistency that keeps the Bianconeri firmly in the top half of Serie A, currently occupying 9th place. The €7m-rated central midfielder has made 22 appearances this season, amassing 1,425 minutes of action with a clean disciplinary record — zero yellow or red cards to his name. While his 3 goals and 1 assist may not grab headlines like teammate Nicolò Zaniolo's attacking exploits, Ekkelenkamp's box-to-box dynamism and relentless work rate provide the foundation upon which Udinese's balanced approach is built. Operating alongside higher-rated colleagues like Arthur Atta, he brings tactical discipline and stamina that allows Zaniolo and the forwards to flourish. For a mid-sized club punching above their weight in Italy's top flight, Ekkelenkamp represents the kind of reliable, industrious presence that turns solid seasons into memorable campaigns.