Ibrahim Sulemana

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

At just 22 years old, Ghanaian defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana is quietly carving out his niche in Serie A with Bologna FC 1909. Sitting mid-table in 10th position, Bologna have navigated an inconsistent start to their campaign, and Sulemana represents one of the club's most intriguing young prospects—valued at €6 million despite his relatively modest experience. Deployed primarily as a deep-lying playmaker, the youngster brings composure and ball retention to Bologna's midfield engine room. His seven appearances this season—including one goal—tell only part of the story. While his defensive numbers won't leap off the page, Sulemana's 58-rated passing ability and calm presence in possession offer a valuable counterbalance to Bologna's more attack-minded talents like Riccardo Orsolini and Thijs Dallinga. With 193 minutes across seven matches, he's earning the trust of management in a rotational capacity. The challenge now becomes converting these cameo appearances into regular starts, particularly as Bologna look to climb the table and push toward European qualification spots. At 57 overall with room for significant growth, Sulemana embodies the patient developmental approach that has defined Bologna's recent transfer strategy.