Key strength: Ball retention
Deep-lying playmaker
At the heart of FC Nantes' desperate fight against relegation, 24-year-old Korean midfielder Hyeok-kyu Kwon is slowly carving out a role as the deep-lying playmaker Les Canaris desperately need. With Nantes languishing in 17th place, every point feels precious, and Kwon's €1m arrival represents a low-risk gamble on ball retention and composure under pressure. Despite just two appearances and 180 minutes of Ligue 1 football, Kwon is already showing why he was brought in. His passing (55) and ball retention skills offer a calming presence in midfield, a stark contrast to the chaos that has plagued Nantes this season. While the goals and assists columns remain blank, his value lies in shielding a defense that includes Chidozie Awaziem and enabling forwards like Mostafa Mohamed and Matthis Abline to thrive. With Junior Mwanga (63 rated) his primary competition at defensive midfield, Kwon faces an uphill battle for regular minutes. But at 24, time is on his side. If he can translate his deep-lying playmaker qualities into consistent performances, he could become the unsung hero in Nantes' survival bid.