Farès Chaïbi

Key strength: Vision and passing

Creative playmaker

Perched in 7th place after a turbulent stretch yielding just one win from their last five outings, Eintracht Frankfurt find themselves at a crossroads—and in Farès Chaïbi, they possess their most reliable creative spark. The 22-year-old Algerian playmaker has been the Eagles' heartbeat this season, threading 8 assists through 27 appearances while accumulating nearly 1,900 minutes of action. Though his goal return sits at a modest 2, Chaïbi's true currency is vision: his exceptional passing unlocks stubborn defenses and feeds Frankfurt's prolific forward trio of Kalimuendo, Doan, and Bahoya with surgical precision. Remarkably disciplined for an attacking midfielder—just one yellow card all season—the €9 million-rated technician offers something his chaotic campaign desperately needs: consistency. With European qualification hanging in the balance, Chaïbi's ability to conjure that decisive through-ball in tight contests could yet salvage continental glory from a season threatening to slip away. The question isn't whether Frankfurt can afford to lean on him—it's whether they can afford not to.