Manu Koné

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

Amidst the cauldron of expectation at AS Roma—currently sitting 6th in Serie A and finding momentum with an unbeaten run spanning three matches—24-year-old French midfielder Manu Koné has quietly become the Giallorossi's most irreplaceable asset. The €50 million-rated dynamo has been ever-present this campaign, racking up 34 appearances and over 2,600 minutes of relentless industry while chipping in with 2 goals and 2 assists. Koné operates as the modern box-to-box metronome: his 77-rated passing range unlocks stubborn defenses while his tireless engine—just 2 yellow cards across the entire season—reveals a player of rare tactical intelligence. In a Roma side seeking European redemption, the 24-year-old's discipline and positional awareness have created the foundation for attacking talents like Donyell Malen to flourish. With his partnership alongside Enzo Le Fée and Neil El Aynaoui blossoming in Roma's midfield triumvirate, Koné has completed the transformation from promising prospect to elite-level anchor. His market value continues its upward trajectory, and at the Olimpico, they understand that the Frenchman's quiet brilliance is what keeps this team moving forward.