Nicola Zalewski

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

Nestled in 9th place after a resilient WWLWD run, US Lecce continue punching above their weight in Serie A, and Nicola Zalewski is the quiet engine driving their campaign. The 24-year-old Polish international, wearing the number 59 shirt, has been an ever-present force with 27 appearances, contributing 2 goals and 6 assists while amassing 1,388 minutes of tireless box-to-box industry. His €20 million market value reflects what Italian tacticians prize most: a midfielder whose 70-rated passing and relentless work rate knit defense to attack without fuss or fanfare. Remarkably disciplined with just a single yellow card all season, Zalewski provides the essential scaffolding for teammates like Sebastiano Esposito to thrive. In a league obsessed with tactical intelligence, his defensive awareness married to creative output represents the modern prototype—unheralded perhaps, but utterly indispensable to Lecce's mid-table miracle.