Joris Chotard

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

Navigating a turbulent campaign, Stade Brestois 29 find themselves in 12th place after a bruising run of form—one draw and four defeats in their last five has them staring nervously toward the drop zone. Yet amid the storm, 23-year-old Joris Chotard remains their unwavering compass. The French defensive midfielder has been virtually ever-present, amassing 26 appearances and 2,117 minutes of action, netting twice despite his deep-lying role. What truly distinguishes Chotard in the cauldron of Ligue 1 is his almost supernatural discipline: zero yellow cards, zero red cards across an entire season of midfield combat. Valued at €7 million, he's a throwback to the cerebral holding midfielders of yesteryear—a deep-lying metronome whose 58-rated passing range and positional intelligence allow Brest to build from the back with composure. While flair players like Junior Dina Ebimbe grab headlines ahead of him, Chotard's mastery of the unseen art—intercepting danger before it materializes—makes him indispensable. In an era of all-action destroyers, Chotard proves that anticipation trumps aggression.