Zeki Çelik

Key strength: Pace and recovery

Overlapping full-back

Operating on Roma's right flank, 28-year-old Zeki Çelik remains the club's most reliable defensive outlet as they sit 5th in Serie A. The Turkish international has racked up an impressive 2,396 minutes across 30 appearances—testament to his durability and tactical importance under the current system. As an overlapping full-back, Çelik has transformed his pace and recovery ability into 4 assists while chipping in with 1 goal, proving he's more than just a defensive shield. His €12m market value reflects a player hitting his prime years with experience from both Lille's Ligue 1 triumph and consistent Serie A battles. While his statistical output may seem modest next to attacking talents like Matías Soulé (78 rating) or Artem Dovbyk (79 rating), Çelik's role in balancing Roma's defensive structure while supporting wide attacks remains essential. With only 2 yellow cards to his name all season, his discipline complements his tactical intelligence—an understated quality that keeps Roma competitive in their push for European qualification.