Ander Guevara

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

Sitting 7th in the table, Deportivo Alavés are quietly building something promising this season, and at the heart of their midfield engine room is 28-year-old Ander Guevara. The Basque box-to-box midfielder has become an ever-present figure under Luis García, racking up 20 appearances and 808 minutes of tireless running. While his stats read modest - just one goal and no assists - Guevara's true value lies in his relentless work rate, a trait that allows the more attack-minded Carlos Vicente and Toni Martínez to flourish ahead of him. Rated at 58 with a €3m market value, Guevara offers invaluable experience in a young squad featuring talented teammates like Antonio Blanco and Pablo Ibáñez. His ability to break up play and transition possession has become integral to Alavés' system. Though not the headline name, Guevara's consistency has him competing with Blanco for a starting berth in what is shaping up to be a competitive La Liga campaign. As Alavés push for a top-half finish, the Spaniard's grit and reliability will prove just as vital as any goalscorer's flair.