Maxime Estève

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

At the heart of Burnley's desperate fight for Premier League survival stands Maxime Estève—a 24-year-old French centre-back whose unwavering consistency offers a rare beacon of hope at Turf Moor. Anchoring a Clarets side rooted to the bottom of the table in 20th position and mired in a five-match winless streak (DLDLL), Estève has emerged as the defensive cornerstone manager Vincent Kompany desperately needs. The 193cm Frenchman, wearing the #5 shirt, has racked up 22 appearances this season and brings exactly what his relegation-threatened team demands: aerial dominance, composure on the ball with 60-rated passing, and defensive discipline backed by a 70 defending rating. With a market value of €28 million—substantial for a Championship-promoted club—Estève represents Burnley's shrewdest defensive investment. While teammates Florentino and Lesley Ugochukwu battle in midfield, Estève's presence at the back provides the foundation for any potential escape. In a season defined by struggle, the Frenchman's reliability—just one yellow card in 22 appearances and zero defensive errors—makes him indispensable to Burnley's survival hopes.