Ayase Ueda

Ayase Ueda is establishing himself as Feyenoord's Bronze Engine. Since arriving at the club in the summer of 2023, the Japanese international is still searching for his first piece of major silverware, but his relentless box-to-box mentality is quickly becoming a valuable asset as he builds his body of work in the division.

Despite a limited sample size of just 435 minutes across six appearances, Ueda is firmly on an upward trajectory. He has recently hit top form, showcasing a massive spike in momentum marked by a crucial goal. Interestingly, his statistical profile paints a picture of extremes. He has earned the SILVER BOOT for his clinical edge when chances arrive, yet simultaneously holds the GHOST badge, reflecting long stretches where he operates on the periphery of the build-up with minimal touches. Rather than dictating the play, he does the dirty work; a surprisingly high Defense rating highlights his pressing and off-the-ball disruptions. He might not see much of the ball, but his defensive work rate creates chaos.

The stakes are rising alongside his market value, which currently sits at an upward-trending €15M. If Ueda can shed his peripheral tendencies and involve himself more consistently in the transition phases, his current hot streak could solidify his status as a pivotal tactical piece.