Ibrahim Sangaré

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

Nottingham Forest's pulse still beats thanks in large part to the metronomic presence of Ibrahim Sangaré. As the club teeters one point above the relegation zone in 16th place after a WDDLL run that has yielded just five points from five matches, the 28-year-old Ivorian defensive midfielder has been Nuno Espírito Santo's most dependable soldier in a campaign fighting for Premier League survival. The €24 million signing from PSV Eindhoven—whose market value has held admirably steady at €22 million despite Forest's struggles—has anchored the midfield with remarkable consistency, amassing 31 appearances and 2,088 minutes while contributing 2 goals and 3 assists. Not bad for a man deployed primarily as a deep-lying playmaker. Standing 6'3" with 73-rated passing and an 80 overall rating, Sangaré's elite ball retention has become Forest's lifeline. While attacking talents like Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi provide the flair, Sangaré does the dirty work—shielding the backline, breaking up opposition moves, and recycling possession with the calm of a man who knows his role is the difference between survival and the Championship. With three yellow cards to his name but no reds, he walks the disciplinary tightrope with intelligence. As the relegation trapdoor creaks, Forest's survival hopes rest on Sangaré's broad shoulders.