Evanilson

Key strength: Link-up play

Target man

In a Premier League season where underdogs dare to dream, AFC Bournemouth find themselves improbably sixth in the table and riding a five-match unbeaten streak—quietly plotting a course toward European qualification. At the heart of this remarkable campaign stands Evanilson, the €35m Brazilian workhorse who represents the Cherries' club-record outlay. The 26-year-old centre-forward isn't chasing Golden Boot glory with his modest return of 5 goals and 2 assists from 28 appearances, but his value runs far deeper than statistics. Deployed as a classic target man by Andoni Iraola, Evanilson has logged over 2,035 minutes of relentless graft, sacrificing personal glory for collective rhythm. His intelligent hold-up play knits together Bournemouth's attacking transitions, dropping deep to link play and create space for teammates. With just one yellow card to his name, he combines selfless graft with defensive discipline. As the Cherries rewrite what seemed possible in August, their Brazilian striker embodies the gritty, team-first ethos powering this unforgettable campaign.