Jhoanner Chávez

Key strength: Pace and recovery

Overlapping full-back

In the shadows of RC Lens's remarkable surge to 2nd place in the standings, a young Ecuadorian talent quietly awaits his breakthrough. At just 23 years old, Jhoanner Chávez arrived at the club as a raw but promising left-back with a valuation of €3M and an overlapping full-back style built on pace and defensive recovery. Despite registering one appearance this season, the Ecuador international has yet to carve out significant minutes on the pitch. Chávez operates in the competitive company of experienced teammate Matthieu Udol (63-rated) and finds himself in a star-studded squad alongside dynamic attackers like Abdallah Sima (73) and Florian Thauvin (62). While his defensive solidity (55) and physicality (55) show promise, his overall 48 rating suggests he's viewed as a developmental project. As Lens continue their impressive campaign, Chávez represents the squad depth essential for navigating a demanding season—waiting patiently for his moment to sprint down that left flank and announce himself to the French football faithful.