Cheikh Niasse

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

At the foot of the table, Hellas Verona find themselves mired in a desperate relegation battle with zero points and struggling for answers. In this crisis, 26-year-old Senegalese midfielder Cheikh Niasse is attempting to carve out his place in a sinking ship. With just 2 appearances totaling 180 minutes this campaign, the defensive midfielder has yet to register a goal or assist, but his deeper value lies elsewhere. Deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, Niasse brings a calming presence through his exceptional ball retention—an increasingly precious commodity as Verona hemorrhage possession under relentless pressure. At €2.5 million market value, he's far from the team's marquee name, surrounded by higher-rated teammates like Giovane and Gift Orban in attack. Yet in a relegation scrap, Niasse's ability to shield the defense and recycle possession could prove vital if manager Paolo Zanetti entrusts him with more minutes. For a side desperate for stability at the base of midfield, the Senegalese enforcer might be the unsung solution Verona desperately need.