
Key strength: Aerial dominance
Ball-playing defender
At the heart of Borussia Dortmund's title pursuit, sitting 2nd in the Bundesliga, stands 32-year-old Emre Can—a seasoned warrior bringing invaluable experience to Edin Terzić's backline. The German centre-back has been a steady presence this campaign, contributing 3 goals from defence across 14 appearances and 845 minutes of action. With a €7 million valuation, Can represents shrewd business, blending the defensive nous honed at Liverpool and Juventus with a ball-playing quality that initiates Dortmund's build-up play. His 2 yellow cards hint at the committed, aerial dominance that defines his style—no-nonsense when it matters. Alongside talented teammates like Nico Schlotterbeck and Felix Nmecha, Can's winners' medals and big-game pedigree provide the steel Dortmund need. As the title race heats up, his ability to marshal the defence while chipping in with crucial goals could prove the difference between silverware and near-misses.